Anti-Aging Tips to Brighten Your Eyes

An exceptionally common and irksome physical complaint experienced by huge numbers of individuals is the development of ‘baggy’ or ‘puffy’ eyes. Surprisingly, while it is more common in middle-aged and older individuals, it can also afflict relatively young individuals who are still in their twenties. Before exploring a few anti-aging tips, it may be helpful to consider what causes this unpleasant and embarrassing condition.

There is no singular cause, although prominent among the many factors that contribute to its onset is the softening with age of the ligaments around the eyes. These areas, beneath the eyes and above the lids, always contain a small amount of fatty tissue. In youth, when both skin and underlying ligaments are more naturally taut, these fatty deposits are virtually undetectable. The ligaments literally hold them in place. But with aging, the ligaments lose elasticity and quite simply begin to sag, allowing the fat to follow gravity and roll outwards.

However, another common contributory factor is poor fluid drainage from the tissues around the eye. This can be exacerbated both by allergy and by infection: if, for example, the nasal lining or sinuses are inflamed due to an allergen or pathogen, red eyes and puffy surrounding tissue are liable to accompany the complaint. Reddish, watering and/or itchy eyes and sore or itching nasal passages are clear signals that such an underlying condition is at work and it requires investigation – a physician or an allergist should definitely be consulted and appropriate remedies taken if there is to be any chance of reducing the puffiness. Drainage can also by impeded by other factors, such as a high salt intake, alcohol consumption, and/or sleeping on a pillow that is too soft and flat. An additional pillow to raise the head slightly at night time can assist drainage.

If diet is exacerbating eye puffiness, clearly it is advisable to reduce both salt and alcohol intake. The effects of aging described above, however, are somewhat less amenable to a rapid remedy. Those with the budget to afford it may consider perhaps the most effective and long-lasting (up to 20 years) treatment – a surgical eyelift. The procedure involves inserting a tiny electric probe directly into the ‘baggy areas’ to melt the fat deposits. With younger patients, this is frequently all that is necessary, but if there is excess skin a tiny tuck can be made just inside the lower lash line where the extra skin can be raised. Costing approximately $6,000, this procedure is hardly inexpensive.

Less drastic cosmetic measures which may help reduce the appearance of bagginess, in addition to the extra pillow, include using a salmon or peach colored concealer to cover circles caused by a reddish or bluish cast, using foundation before concealer, and avoiding using cosmetic products that are scented or which contain glycolic or salicylic acid (all are potential irritants). Reducing salt and alcohol intake and keeping well hydrated with water during the day are also measures that are likely to help appreciably.

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