GET RID OF UNDEREYE CIRCLES
from the article 'Val Answers Your Top 20 Skincare Questions'
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine | March 23, 2011
Q. So many products claim to get rid of undereye circles. How do I know which one to buy?
A: If your complexion is fair, your (red or purplish) dark circles are probably caused by blood vessels just below the skin. If you're olive or darker, your (brown) circles are probably caused by pigmentation. Look closely in a mirror, and press on the skin; if the color decreases, your circles are more likely from blood vessels, says Heidi Waldorf, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. In this case, you might consider treatment with the V-beam laser, which zaps the vessels, causing them to disappear. For pigment-related shadows, Waldorf typically starts with creams containing retinoids (prescription tretinoin or tazarotene or over-the-counter retinols), to reduce pigmentation and increase cell turnover, and hydroquinone, a bleaching ingredient. Other helpful ingredients to look for are kojic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin and azelaic acid.
Keeping the area well hydrated can improve the appearance of either kind of undereye shadow and make it easier to apply concealer; use eye creams containing glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone or kinetin. Gels containing caffeine will temporarily tighten the skin, too, Waldorf says. If topical creams seem to irritate the area or make the circles worse, or if the skin is burning, itching or scaling, see a dermatologist. The cause of the darkness could be eczema, for which you may need a prescription topical anti-inflammatory cream.
Keep in mind: First figure out what's causing your undereye shadows; creams can reduce only the pigment-related type.
Keep reading: 4 steps to conceal undereye circles
MY THOUGHTS
Don't you just hate those dark undereye circles. I think, among the beauty concerns of women, this is the one that makes people think something's also wrong from the inside. We always connect dark undereye circles to lack of sleep. Apparently, for some, getting enough sleep won't do the trick.
Showing posts with label pigmentation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pigmentation. Show all posts
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
How to Get Rid of Melasma Spots
How to Get Rid of Melasma Spots
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine | December 10, 2010
Q: I've never been pregnant, but I have dark splotches—Melasma, "the mask of pregnancy"—on my cheeks and upper lip. What causes this and how can I get rid of it?
A: You don't have to be pregnant to get melasma, which can be caused by hormones (often pregnancy related) or by prolonged or excessive sun exposure, says Tina Alster, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center. To treat it at home, look for creams that contain kojic acid or Melaplex (Alster recommends Neocutis Perle, $95; DermaDoctor.com). Alster prefers products that don't contain skin-lightening hydroquinone (which is potentially irritating). In the doctor's office, a chemical peel can help, but be careful about laser treatments (they've been associated with pigment recurrence or worsening of the mask). The Fraxel Re:store Dual laser looks promising, because it targets surface pigment and limits inflammation; be sure the treatment is delivered by a doctor who has experience using it.
Keep in mind: One of the most critical steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting melasma is to stay out of the sun.
MY THOUGHTS
i used to have these around my lips, too. it's gone and i don't know how. maybe staying indoors a lot.
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine | December 10, 2010
Q: I've never been pregnant, but I have dark splotches—Melasma, "the mask of pregnancy"—on my cheeks and upper lip. What causes this and how can I get rid of it?
A: You don't have to be pregnant to get melasma, which can be caused by hormones (often pregnancy related) or by prolonged or excessive sun exposure, says Tina Alster, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center. To treat it at home, look for creams that contain kojic acid or Melaplex (Alster recommends Neocutis Perle, $95; DermaDoctor.com). Alster prefers products that don't contain skin-lightening hydroquinone (which is potentially irritating). In the doctor's office, a chemical peel can help, but be careful about laser treatments (they've been associated with pigment recurrence or worsening of the mask). The Fraxel Re:store Dual laser looks promising, because it targets surface pigment and limits inflammation; be sure the treatment is delivered by a doctor who has experience using it.
Keep in mind: One of the most critical steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting melasma is to stay out of the sun.
MY THOUGHTS
i used to have these around my lips, too. it's gone and i don't know how. maybe staying indoors a lot.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Real Causes of Dark Undereye Circles
Real Causes of Dark Undereye Circles
By Valerie Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine | October 13, 2009
http://www.oprah.com/style/Undereye-Circles-Beauty-and-Makeup-Advice_1
Q: Dark undereye circles make me feel exhausted.
A: I see you were too tired to ask me a question. You need to determine the cause of your dark circles before you can treat them. The main cause for shadows under the eyes is rubbing provoked by allergies—both seasonal and product induced, says Cheryl M. Burgess, MD, medical director at the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Washington, D.C. The second most common cause is excess pigment that may be hereditary, and the third is visible veins.
If your problem is due to allergies (your eyes are itchy and watery; rubbing them causes shadows), you'll want to use a mild, soapless cleanser and a moisturizer for sensitive skin. You might also need a .5 percent hydrocortisone cream to relieve the itching.
Dark circles due to excess pigment (press down on the discoloration—if it doesn't disappear, it's pigment) can sometimes be lightened by lotions or creams containing hydroquinone, arbutin, or kojic acid. Three or more treatments with the Fraxel re:store or Fraxel re:fine laser are also an option.
And visible veins can be treated with the Nd:YAG 1064nm laser; several treatments are usually necessary. (You might also try the simpler solution a curious reader asks about at left.)
Keep in mind: Judicious application of concealer can work very well to hide your discoloration. Use a creamy concealer the same shade as your complexion, lightly tapping it on and then blending over the dark areas.
MY THOUGHTS
i just hate dark undereye circles. makes you look sick. and of course, you are if the cause is allergies. i thought lack of sleep causes the darkness. i have a feeling mine is pigmentation. argh!!!
By Valerie Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine | October 13, 2009
http://www.oprah.com/style/Undereye-Circles-Beauty-and-Makeup-Advice_1
Q: Dark undereye circles make me feel exhausted.
A: I see you were too tired to ask me a question. You need to determine the cause of your dark circles before you can treat them. The main cause for shadows under the eyes is rubbing provoked by allergies—both seasonal and product induced, says Cheryl M. Burgess, MD, medical director at the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Washington, D.C. The second most common cause is excess pigment that may be hereditary, and the third is visible veins.
If your problem is due to allergies (your eyes are itchy and watery; rubbing them causes shadows), you'll want to use a mild, soapless cleanser and a moisturizer for sensitive skin. You might also need a .5 percent hydrocortisone cream to relieve the itching.
Dark circles due to excess pigment (press down on the discoloration—if it doesn't disappear, it's pigment) can sometimes be lightened by lotions or creams containing hydroquinone, arbutin, or kojic acid. Three or more treatments with the Fraxel re:store or Fraxel re:fine laser are also an option.
And visible veins can be treated with the Nd:YAG 1064nm laser; several treatments are usually necessary. (You might also try the simpler solution a curious reader asks about at left.)
Keep in mind: Judicious application of concealer can work very well to hide your discoloration. Use a creamy concealer the same shade as your complexion, lightly tapping it on and then blending over the dark areas.
MY THOUGHTS
i just hate dark undereye circles. makes you look sick. and of course, you are if the cause is allergies. i thought lack of sleep causes the darkness. i have a feeling mine is pigmentation. argh!!!
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