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By Becca Newell
brWhile genetics may predispose some people to more prominent under-eye bags and dark circles, sleep deprivation, allergies, and stress can not only exacerbate these issues, but cause them, too. Similarly, the aging process can also contribute to those under-eye issues, as the fat tissue in the cheeks and around the lower eyelid fall to lower areas of the face, according to Dr. Lee A. Kleiman with Severn River Plastic and Laser Surgery in Severna Park and Annapolis.
brbr“That makes your eye bags more noticeable,” says Dr. Kleiman, before discussing the topical, non-invasive, and surgical procedures to combat under-eye bags and dark circles.
brSkin Lightening Agents - The aging process may lead to thinning skin, which can cause the under-eye area to appear dark. “We have to determine whether the darkness is due to that underlying blush of blood vessels or if its due to pigmentation of the skin,” Kleiman says, explaining that if pigmentation is the issue there’s the potential to lighten the skin with a topical solution. “It essentially bleaches the skin and makes the dark areas less noticeable.”
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Earlier correction and earlier initiation of skin products at an earlier time in your life, goes a long way,”says Kleiman, who recommends a daily application of an under-eye serum. “You should help your skin rather than waiting until it gets to a more extreme state.”
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brInjectable Dermal Fillers - A series of hyaluronic acid fillers can be used to camouflage and enhance shallow contours. For sunken areas under the eye, a single session can plump up the mid-face area and under the lower eyelid. “So your under-eyelid area now blends back into your cheek area,” Kleiman says, listing popular brands of fillers, including JUVÉDERM, Restylane, and Belotero. “The brand depends on the patient and the viscosity of the hyaluronic acid.” Downtime is minimal, he adds, though some bruising could appear at the injection site and remain visible for a day or two. Typically, results last from six months to a year, with the less viscous injections lasting no more than 10 months.
brTransconjuctival Blepharoplasty - An invasive procedure in which fat is removed or repositioned from the lower eyelid over to the orbital rim, which is the bone under the eye, to reduce harsh contours. The procedure is accomplished via an incision through the conjunctiva—or the membrane that covers the inner surface of the eyelids and the exposed part of the eyeball. “That avoids an incision on the outside of the eyelid,” Kleiman says. Results are noticeable after about two weeks, he adds. Oftentimes, the surgery is combined with a laser treatment to tighten the outside layer of the skin. “That usually shrink-wraps the skin enough,” he says. “Unless the patient has severe excess skin, then an incision is made on the eyelid, under the lash line, to cut out the excess skin.”
brDepending on the severity of those under-eye circles, color-correcting concealer may do the trick! Those peach, orange, or red shades—the lighter shade for fair skin; a deeper orange or red hue for darker complexions—help to mask signs of fatigue. Apply tiny dabs of the concentrated color pigment to skin and blend in fully with a liquid concealer that’s a shade lighter than your skin tone.
brWhile genetics may predispose some people to more prominent under-eye bags and dark circles, sleep deprivation, allergies, and stress can not only exacerbate these issues, but cause them, too. Similarly, the aging process can also contribute to those under-eye issues, as the fat tissue in the cheeks and around the lower eyelid fall to lower areas of the face, according to Dr. Lee A. Kleiman with Severn River Plastic and Laser Surgery in Severna Park and Annapolis.
brbr“That makes your eye bags more noticeable,” says Dr. Kleiman, before discussing the topical, non-invasive, and surgical procedures to combat under-eye bags and dark circles.
Topical Solution
brSkin Lightening Agents - The aging process may lead to thinning skin, which can cause the under-eye area to appear dark. “We have to determine whether the darkness is due to that underlying blush of blood vessels or if its due to pigmentation of the skin,” Kleiman says, explaining that if pigmentation is the issue there’s the potential to lighten the skin with a topical solution. “It essentially bleaches the skin and makes the dark areas less noticeable.”
brbr________________________________________________________________
Earlier correction and earlier initiation of skin products at an earlier time in your life, goes a long way,”says Kleiman, who recommends a daily application of an under-eye serum. “You should help your skin rather than waiting until it gets to a more extreme state.”
brbr________________________________________________________________
Non-Invasive Treatment
brInjectable Dermal Fillers - A series of hyaluronic acid fillers can be used to camouflage and enhance shallow contours. For sunken areas under the eye, a single session can plump up the mid-face area and under the lower eyelid. “So your under-eyelid area now blends back into your cheek area,” Kleiman says, listing popular brands of fillers, including JUVÉDERM, Restylane, and Belotero. “The brand depends on the patient and the viscosity of the hyaluronic acid.” Downtime is minimal, he adds, though some bruising could appear at the injection site and remain visible for a day or two. Typically, results last from six months to a year, with the less viscous injections lasting no more than 10 months.
Surgical Procedure
brTransconjuctival Blepharoplasty - An invasive procedure in which fat is removed or repositioned from the lower eyelid over to the orbital rim, which is the bone under the eye, to reduce harsh contours. The procedure is accomplished via an incision through the conjunctiva—or the membrane that covers the inner surface of the eyelids and the exposed part of the eyeball. “That avoids an incision on the outside of the eyelid,” Kleiman says. Results are noticeable after about two weeks, he adds. Oftentimes, the surgery is combined with a laser treatment to tighten the outside layer of the skin. “That usually shrink-wraps the skin enough,” he says. “Unless the patient has severe excess skin, then an incision is made on the eyelid, under the lash line, to cut out the excess skin.”
Color-Correcting Makeup
brDepending on the severity of those under-eye circles, color-correcting concealer may do the trick! Those peach, orange, or red shades—the lighter shade for fair skin; a deeper orange or red hue for darker complexions—help to mask signs of fatigue. Apply tiny dabs of the concentrated color pigment to skin and blend in fully with a liquid concealer that’s a shade lighter than your skin tone.
