Cassandra has been struggling with her under-eye area for quite some time now, and like many other people, she's tried everything. She's tried creams that tighten the skin, cryo face masks, under-eye patches, and at-home tools and devices. Misconceptions and myths from the beauty industry can lead us to try so many ineffective products for under-eye bags. Yes, there are certain therapies done professionally around the eyes like radio frequency that can help with under-eye bags, but as far as purchasing skincare, it's important to be aware of 3 of the following myths so you can select the right products.
Eye creams treat under-eye bags.
A lot of people get this wrong. A lot of people put on a cream, and they think it will help with very baggy under-eyes, fine lines, or wrinkles, but that's not the case. Let's look at the actual anatomy of the eye to explain why. Fine lines and wrinkles are the result of elastin and collagen breaking down because of maturation or skin damage. Eye creams simply hydrate and moisturize the skin. While it’s true that hydration can help preserve elastin and collagen, it cannot undo the ones that are already there. Some ingredients like retinol can help plump the skin by causing the skin to rebuild from the inside out, but there are “full-face” moisturizers with retinol that can do this as well. It can be helpful to look for eye creams with retinol to ensure that the product is eye-safe though. However, eye creams are normally just moisturizers in a smaller bottle.
Now, certain moisturizers can be helpful with dark circles if they have ingredients like vitamin C, licorice, alpha arbutin, or tranexamic acid. These are tyrosinase inhibitors which means they hinder so much pigment from being made and transported to the surface of the skin. Be sure to check with your doctor though before using tranexamic acid because, for a few people, it has been known to cause blood clotting.
As for fluid retention, massaging the eyes while applying a moisturizer can also help to drain fluid, and you can also use eye masks. The pressure of having them on can help drain fluid. You can also use caffeine because it is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it can make the veins under your eyes smaller by slowing blood flow.
All dark circles are from dehydration or lack of sleep.
Dark circles can also be from fluid retention and shadows. On top of that, when light shines on the face from specific angles, it can emphasize the bags. So, it's easy to think that circles or bags are more intense than they truly are. But, for some people, it's just natural pigment, and you don't have to listen to marketing claims that push all of these different products. If it's your natural skin, it's your choice whether you want to alter it. This is a normal feature.
They might simply be pigmentation, sun exposure, and it can even come down to just having thin skin too. The skin in this area is so thin we can actually see the little blood vessels and veins more easily, and for some people, this can give the eyes a purplish appearance.
Dark circles can be the result of allergies or even a herniated fat pad casting a shadow. We have fat pads under our eyes, and sometimes they can push out due to anatomy or maturing. In this case, surgery is a potential option.
But, if you don't want surgery, and you're sick and tired of the eye creams, what options do you have?
Cassandra has more of an eye bag than most people as well and she struggles with purpleness and pigmentation too She uses radio frequency and the following products. Radiofrequency causes the skin's deep layers to rebuild collagen and elastin, and in contrast to eye creams, it actually does repair those skin layers. (Read more here about how radiofrequency works.) Cassandra also uses the following products to help with undereye bags and dark circles.
Patchology Under Eye Mask Gel Pads - $15
Versed Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm - $17.99
When looking at this suggestion, you might think to yourself, "Didn't you just say not to use eye creams?" The follow eye products is a moisturizer as well, but once again this includes and eye-safe retinoid.
The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + EGCG -$9.20
Amiro R3 Radiofrequecny Turbo Device
We can erase or stop fine lines.
Our skin naturally gets wrinkles. We constantly move our facial muscles over time. Our skin lays across those muscles, and it folds when we make facial expressions. As our skin folds repetitively, these lines become ingrained. We cannot stop this process, but some people get Botox to prevent their face from flexing as much. Likewise, it prevents the lines from forming as much. Some people also get fillers which are basically gel-like substances that “fill in the lines.”
However, it's your choice whether you want to address this. We are not required to look younger than our years, and natural facial features are fine. If you want to assert more control over what your skin does, these are just a few tips about how to choose products and habits to address certain skin concerns.
Sunscreens are also fundamental in preventing fine lines and wrinkles because they protect the skin from the sun damage. So, wearing sunscreen can definitely prevent collagen and elastin from being damaged.
Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 1.7 fl/oz - $42
Watch here for more info on how radiofrequency works for the under-eyes!