Keeping the Skin Around the Eyes Healthy | Healthy Skin Month

The skin is the largest organ in our body and taking good care of it is vital for your well-being. Good skin care also includes taking care of the delicate skin around the eyes. 

Proper skin care is essential for a variety of reasons. For example, your skin provides a barrier against pathogens and infection. Good skin care also helps prevent diseases, such as skin cancer. Plus, taking good care of your skin may help slow down the signs of aging, which is something most of us want. 
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​November is Healthy Skin Month and a perfect time to learn how we can protect and take care of our skin, including the skin around the eyes. 

Protecting the Skin Around the Eyes 

The skin around your eyes is delicate and is easily injured. Be sure to protect the skin by doing the following:

Use sunscreen: The skin around your eyes is susceptible to lines and wrinkles. One way to decrease the development of sun damage is by using a sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every time you will be outside during the day.

Prevent infection: Eye infections may affect not only the eye itself but the skin around your eye. Prevent infections by washing your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes. Do not share eye makeup. Also, if you wear contact lenses, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for use.

Avoid rubbing too hard: We all rub our eyes from time to time. But rubbing your eyes too vigorously can injure the delicate skin. Be gentle when you rub your eyes. 
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Reducing Common Problems  

Even if you take good care of your eyes and the skin around them, certain skin issues are common, including the following:

Puffiness - Waking up in the morning to eye puffiness is pretty common. The skin under your eyes or the upper lids may look puffy for a few reasons. For example, eating foods that are high in salt may cause your body to hold on to water. That extra water can make your eyes look puffy.
You can combat undereye puffiness by placing a cold compress under each eye for about 10 minutes. Also, consider eye creams that contain caffeine or green tea, which can decrease puffiness.

Dark Circles - Dark circles are another common skin issue. As we age, the skin under the eyes gets thinner, which may allow the dark vessels to show more. Allergies and lack of sleep can also lead to dark circles. Getting enough sleep may help decrease dark circles. Elevating your head while you snooze may help keep fluid from accumulating, which might also reduce dark circles. 

Crow’s Feet - Crow’s feet are the small wrinkles we get at the corners of our eyes when we smile. Using sunscreen every day may help slow the formation of crow’s feet. Using a moisturizing cream will most likely not get rid of lines, but it may help diminish the appearance. Botox is also an option to get rid of the lines temporally.  

Slowing Down the Signs of Aging - The skin around the eyes is often one of the first places people show signs of aging. In part, that is because the skin is thin. It also does not have the same amount of fat or soft tissue that other parts of your face have. Because it is delicate and lacks the supporting elements, such as fat, it is susceptible to lines, wrinkles, and a loss of volume.  

Although we cannot turn back time, we can take steps to slow the signs of aging and keep the skin around our eyes as healthy as possible. Consider the following suggestions:

• Get enough sleep, which helps your skin repair itself.
• Drink plenty of water to keep the skin well-hydrated.
• Eat a healthy diet high in antioxidant foods, such as fruits and veggies, to help maintain skin elasticity.
• Don’t smoke since smoking can damage skin and speed the formation of wrinkles.
• Use a moisturizer that helps plump the skin around the eyes to improve the appearance of lines.

We hope the tips above will help you keep your skin healthy. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please phone our office at 508-746-8600.