Baggy Eyes
Baggy eyes are a problem experienced by many people and are an extremely ageing character trait to have. The same goes for dark black rings under the eyes - not only are they unattractive, but they also give an impression of ill health and general tiredness.
Some medical people do not take bags under the eyes as a serious problem, since it is seldom a life-threatening condition, but to the person living with this problem, it is no joke.
We trust that you will find this article of interest, and that it will assist in helping you to achieve an ageless face.
Kind regards
Michael Meyer
Most people, out of desperation, will look at the surgical removal of baggy eyes, but this procedure is either unacceptable to them or financially out of their reach.
Although our herbal eye gel is most effective in assisting to fight bags and black rings under the eyes, it does have limitations, since other factors could also be causing the problem.
The skin around your eye area is the most fragile in the entire body, and for this reason, must be treated with the utmost care. When using a skincare product on this area, you need to ensure that it is hypo-allergenic, pH balanced, made from the purest and finest ingredients and that it will actively help re-vitalize the connective tissue in this area to assist in the production of new elastin and collagen for a smooth unmarked skin.
Although this article is not geared to selling our great Eye Treatment Gel, we would like to mention that it complies to the above criteria, and being so well priced falls within the budget of most people. For more information on our Eye Treatment Gel with active herbal compounds, please visit www.ageless.co.za/eyegel.htm , or have a look at another very sophisticated gel at www.dermaxime.com/eyegel.htm
AGEING
As we age, the fragile skin around the eyes starts to lose its elasticity. Proper nutrition can assist in the fight against ageing, as poor nutrition contributes to premature ageing. Proper intake of proteins, carbohydrates and fats are required for a well functioning and well nourished body, and various dietary supplements can also help.
Although a product like our eye gel will assist in re-vitalizing the collagen and elastin in the skin around the eyes, you do need vitamin C in your system in order for collagen to be formed.
Collagen CANNOT be synthesized in the absence of vitamin C, and to have only 60 mg of vitamin C per day, the recommended daily allowance (RDA), will NOT achieve much, it will only prevent beriberi. To assist in collagen formation and re-vitalizing the fragile skin around the eyes, please consider taking an extra vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplement, after checking with your medical practitioner.
When taking a vitamin C supplement, look at one that contains bioflavonoids (vitamin P) as well, as these bioflavonoids add to the potency with which the vitamin will perform its work. The addition of a good antioxidant supplement may also be indicated to help remove free radicals from the body. For more information on antioxidants and free radicals, send a blank e-mail to oxidant@anyvitamins.com.
TIREDNESS
Plain common tiredness will also add to the problem of bags under the eyes, and especially to those ugly dark circles.
Have a look at the amount of hours you sleep and also check on the amount of hours you work in front of a computer terminal or watch television. Both these actions place a tremendous strain on the eyes. When working on a computer terminal, it is good practice to give your eyes a break every twenty minutes or so by focusing on a spot in the distance.
Eye drops will relieve the bloodshot look of your eyeball, but will do little to soothe tired eyes as such. Some people recommend a daily supplement of grape seed oil to help relieve eye strain, as many people do find relief by adding this anti-oxidant to their diet.
To relieve strain, look at having a regular soothing treatment, which can easily, and inexpensively, be done at home. Some people believe in placing sliced figs or slices of cucumber on the eyes, and although it does work, it may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. If you are looking at an alternative treatment to freshen your eyes, try the following:
- Take two pieces of cotton wool, large enough to cover your eyes, and soak in rose water (an inexpensive product that you can buy at a pharmacy / chemist / drug store). Remove excess rose water and place the soaked cotton wool over your closed eyelids whilst lying down.
- If doing this treatment during the day close your drapes / curtains and if doing it at night switch off your lights. You will find that doing it in the dark really gives your eyes a relaxing break as well as your stressed-out body. Switch off your television during this period of rest, and rather listen to your favorite soothing music. Relax for at least 20 minutes.
- Another soothing way to relieve the tiredness is to take two tea bags, place in a cup, and pour boiling water over. Remove the bags with a spoon after they start giving off their color, and place on a saucer. Cover the tea bags with plastic kitchen wrap to prevent them drying out, and place in your refrigerator to cool down.
After they have cooled down, (but not too cold, as too cold could damage your eyes) remove from the fridge and place on your closed eyelids, as described above.
EXERCISES
Eye exercises may also be of great benefit to the general health of your eyes, but first check with your optometrist or eye specialist before starting such a program. A wise old yogi once showed me the following exercises - it may be worth your while to try them.
- Sit and relax and while breathing normally but deeply look at a spot between your eyes, above the bridge of your nose. Keep looking at this spot for a count of five, and then relax the eyes. Next look at the tip of your nose, also to the count of five and then relax.
- After doing these two exercises try the following:
Relax and look straight in front of you. While inhaling look right as far as possible without turning your head, and when exhaling return the eyes to the front position. Relax and when inhaling again look left as far as possible without turning your head, and when exhaling return your eyes to the front again. Repeat three times.
- The last exercise would be done by sitting up straight and looking down, and while inhaling slowly roll your eyes to the right and then to the top, in a circular movement. When your eyes have reached the top, looking toward your eyebrows, start exhaling while moving your eyes left and downwards in a circular movement. Repeat three times. This exercise can also be done by cupping your palms over your eyes to block out the light, but take care that the inside of your palm does not touch your eyes or eyelashes.
These exercises must be done slowly and with concentration, but before starting them, please check with your health practitioner to see if they would be suitable for you.
FLUID RETENTION
Fluid retention can be a major cause of swollen eyes, and here you will have to look at your general health and any other underlying medical condition. Diuretic pills (to remove excess water from your body) can be helpful, but certain people do experience adverse effects.
Vitamin C is a natural diuretic and an increase in this vitamin will not only assist in removing excess water from your body, but will also assist with collagen formation as discussed above. We are sorry to keep harping on the importance of vitamin C, but in our book it is one of the most amazing and underrated vitamins around, and can have a great effect on your general wellbeing.
SALT / SODIUM
If you are ingesting a lot of salt, either directly or indirectly, it could add to your water retention problem. Try to cut down on eating raw salt, and check food labels as well, as processed foods can contain large amounts of salt, check for sodium on the label.
TOXICITY
Although orthodox medicine does not always believe in the benefits of going on a detoxifying diet, we believe that a cleansing diet can have a positive effect on the general health of a person, particularly on black rings / circles under the eyes.
It would be wise to check with your medical professional before going on such a diet, but a break in your normal diet pattern, and giving your body a bit of a break, could do you the world of good. Some natural healers do believe that black rings and bags under the eyes are indicative of a toxic build-up in the body, and although some people might not agree with this belief, a cleansing diet as such, now and again, is not a bad idea.
SMOKING AND SECONDARY SMOKE
You might not smoke yourself, but even secondary smoke can affect the way your eyes look. Many people have a violent reaction to smoke, such as the eyes turning bloodshot or watery, while others will manifest their allergy as swollen eyes.
If smokers surround you, try and introduce as much fresh air as possible, and if you yourself smoke, take (you guessed it!) extra vitamin C, as smoking kills off a large amount of this vitamin every time you light up. It has been suggested that you add 25 mg of vitamin C per day to your diet for each cigarette that you smoke.
ALLERGIES
It seems that allergies are becoming more and more prevalent, and although some medical people might not agree, we hold the idea that our unhealthy, stressed-filled lives, surrounded by chemicals, additives and preservatives as well as environmental pollutants are contributing factors to the increase of allergies.
The reason for this statement is the fact that with so many stressors or triggers around, the body simply cannot cope with the large amount of gunk, and gives up the fight, with resultant allergic conditions. But be that as it may, your swollen eyes might be indicative of some allergen that you are either surrounded by, or are ingesting.
You might not have a major medical reaction to an allergen, such as wheezing, coughing, sneezing or a closed chest, you could simply have a slightly stuffy nose, or swollen eyes. Tests can be performed to determine environmental or food allergies with a simple skin scratch test, a blood test, or more alternative types of testing such as a muscle resistant test or a heart pulse test.
If any tests are performed and they come up positive for any item that you could avoid, go the extra mile and try to cut the allergen out of your sphere of living, be that either environmental or food in origin.
Environmental allergies are sometimes difficult to fight. If you suffer from a dust mite allergy for instance, you will have to ensure that your house is virtually dust proof, and that all drapes, mattresses, carpets and all other soft furnishings are treated with a mite and dust controlling solution, and that air conditioning filters are kept spotlessly clean.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies such as pollen, you could ask your medical practitioner for assistance during that time, with an allergy-fighting drug of some sort, but be careful of such medication containing cortisone, as this ingredient may cause more problems than it solves.
And once again, look at vitamin C to assist in fighting allergies. This humble little vitamin can help alleviate the symptoms to a great degree. And remember to look for the added bioflavonoids.
FACIAL CREAMS
If you apply eye cream or any facial cream incorrectly, it may cause your eyes to become puffy and swollen, especially in the morning. Make sure the cream is not applied to the center corner (near your nose) of your eyes, as it can impact and obstruct a tear duct, which will cause swelling of the eye.
This normally does not happen in the case of gel-based products, and is the reason why our Eye Treatment Gel is a gel and not a cream. When selecting cosmetics or skin care products also be careful to choose a range that will not cause an allergic reaction.
THE WAY YOU SLEEP
If you find that your eyes are more swollen in the morning, have a look at increasing the height of your pillows, by adding another cushion when going to bed. The raising of your head could assist with draining excess fluids as well.
GENETICS
If you have bags or black rings under your eyes because you are genetically programmed to have them, there is not much, except surgery, that you can do about it. Bags can be removed by skilled cosmetic surgery, but check on the references of the doctor, and also look for personal references, and make sure of what he / she can do for you before you go to the expense.
Should your entire family have black rings under their eyes, it might also be genetic in nature and should also be researched further.
MEDICAL INDICATION
Problems with your thyroid gland can result in your eyes protruding, which can result in bags forming, and should be discussed with your medical practitioner. In some cases black rings could indicate heart problems, and once again this must be discussed with your medical practitioner.
FACIAL MASSAGE
Facial massage, and especially massaging around your eyes, can assist in draining off excess fluids. Although massage can be beneficial, it must be done correctly with concentration, and not be rushed through.
First clean your face well and then use a very light textured oil or cream as a massage medium to prevent stretching or stressing this fragile skin. You might want to look at almond oil, since it is a good emollient without being heavy and greasy. Another oil that you might consider is jojoba oil, but because of the cost of pure jojoba oil, it might work out a bit expensive.
You could also look at massaging with plain aqueous cream, since it is very economical and is also great to work with. When doing facial massage, please keep your touch SOFT and do not stretch the skin. It must be done gently.
If you have long hair, tie it away from your face before starting any facial massage to prevent the oil or cream getting into it.
When you have finished the massage, remove the oil or cream from your eyes by gently washing the area with a very gentle cleanser, or remove the excess oil by blotting it with a tissue. Make sure to remove excess oil or cream from the corners of your eyes, otherwise, as stated above, you might land up with eyes that are even more baggy or swollen.
For the numbers referred to below, please look at the sketch found at www.ageless.co.za/baggyeyes.htm
- Exercise 1
Place the ring finger (because it is not too strong) of each hand into the inner corner of each eye toward the top, and press down gently to the count of three seconds, relax and then slide the fingers gently underneath your eyes toward your temples (# 8 on the sketch). When reaching the temples, gently massage in a circular movement. Slide your fingers back gently to the inner corners of your eyes again and repeat seven times.
- Exercise 2
Place the tip of your right hand middle finger gently where your nose starts (point # 2) and slide it up and down to the tip of your nose (point # 3) and back 10 times. Then, by using the fingertips of both the middle fingers, gently press the point where your cheek and nostrils meet (point # 4). Release the pressure, and with small circular movements, softly massage all the way up to your temples, following the bone structure under your eyes, taking about 10 seconds to do so. Massage your temples for 5 seconds and then slide your fingers, going back the same way, back to the starting point and repeat the exercise 5 times.
We trust you found the page interesting and we would like to invite you to have a look at our affordable herbal Eye Treatment Gel at www.ageless.co.za/eyegel.htm or www.dermaxime.com/eyegel.htm
Please note this information sheet is for general information purposes only, and anybody with a medical condition should consult their medical practitioner, as no information contained on this page must be seen as an attempt by us to diagnose or treat any disorder whatsoever. No statements on health conditions, supplements etc have been evaluated by any medical controlling body, and should therefore be seen as information only.
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