Under Eye Dark Circles and Treatments

Dark under eye circles are more common than one might think. Though dark circles are usually temporary and not a medical concern, they can be a personal concern, especially when one’s appearance is affected.

Dermatologists know, not all skin is created equal. The same is true not only for facial complexions but for the skin on your body. As Dr. Adhami explains it, “One part can be dramatically different from the next, with varying levels of texture, thickness and even color. The skin around your eyes is a key example; it tends to be thin and is the most delicate of all. This skin is particularly vulnerable to stress, time and the harmful effects of the environment and requires special care if it is to look and function its best.”

While fatigue is commonly assumed to be the cause of dark under eye circles – surprisingly the correct culprit is nasal congestion. According to medical experts, when your nose is congested, veins that normally drain from your eyes into your nose become widened (dilated) and darker. Dark circles can also result from chronic skin conditions such as eczema or be hereditary.

Another cause of under eye circles is due to swelling while you sleep. When you lie down, gravity allows fluid to collect in your lower eyelids. Sometimes, this swelling may create the appearance of shadows below your eyes.

Over the counter products may help diminish dark circles under eyes. Look for skin creams that contain vitamin C or K, alpha hydroxy acid or kinetin. If you suffer from chronic or severe under eye circles medical treatment may be required. Treatment will include examining the underlying causes and may involve bleaching agents or laser therapy.

Natural eye creams may include exotic herbs, plants, minerals and a variety of vitamins such as vitamins A and E to help protect, hydrate, repair and dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Under eye cream should deliver a boost of moisture to the delicate skin around the eyes and prevent future wrinkles or “crows feet”

Other ingredients are equally cutting-edge. Some new eye creams contain peptides, which are basically complex molecules created in the laboratory. They are synthetic analogues of collagen, which, unlike the large collagen molecule itself, are small enough to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin. Once there, peptides stimulate the body to create new collagen and accelerate skin repair.

Whatever your choice, the options today are far-reaching. If using only natural, sustainable products are important to you, try to find under eye cream comprised of herbal extracts, vitamins or other organic natural ingredients to reduce those wrinkles and remove the dark circles. Eye cream packed with antioxidants like vitamin E to fight skin-damaging free radicals and Vitamin A to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unique herbal extracts help reduce the appearance of dark circles and reduce puffiness.

Acne Terms and Causes

Acne: Words to Know

Androgen:

A male sex hormone found in both males and females.

Anti-androgen:

A drug that slows down the production of androgens.

Antibiotic:

A drug that kills bacteria.

Comedo:

A hard plug that develops in the pores of the skin composed of sebum and dead skin cells. The mildest form of acne.

Comedolytic:

Drugs that break up comedos and open clogged pores.

Isotretinoin:

A drug that decreases sebum production and dries up acne pimples.

Sebum:

An oily material produced by sebaceous glands that keeps the skin moist.

Tretinoin:

A drug that increases the rate at which skin cells are formed and die.

CAUSES

The exact cause of acne is not known, however, several risk factors have been identified.

• Age. Because of the effect of sex hormones, teenagers are quite likely to develop acne.
• Cosmetics. Make-up and hair sprays that contain oils can make acne worse.
• Diet. Acne is not caused by diet, but some foods can make the disease more serious.
• Disease. Hormonal disorders can increase the severity of acne problems in girls.
• Drugs. Acne can develop as a result of using certain drugs, such as tranquilizers, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and anabolic steroids. Steroids are synthetic hormones that may sometimes be abused by athletes to increase the size of their muscles.
• Environment. Acne can become worse as a result of exposure to oils, greases, and polluted air. Sweating in hot weather can also make the condition worse.
• Gender. Boys are more likely to develop acne and tend to have more serious cases than girls.
• Heredity. Acne is more common in some families than in others.
• Hormonal changes. Acne can flare up during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Menopause is the period in a woman’s life when her body stops producing certain hormones.
• Personal hygiene. Strong soaps, hard scrubbing, and picking at pimples can make acne worse.
• Stress. Emotional stress can contribute to acne.

Oil Production in the skin

The skin has many oil (sebaceous) glands, which secrete oil that contains wax esters, triglycerides, and squalene - a hydrocarbon that is an intermediate in the formation of cholesterol. These fats (or lipids) form a film that helps keep moisture in the skin. While increased sebum production results in oily skin, the opposite is not always the case, as dry skin can also arise from an impaired skin barrier. Oil production can be affected by diet, stress, and hormones-as well as genetics. In a study of twenty pairs each of identical and nonidentical same-sex twins, identical twins had virtually identical amounts of oil production, while the nonidentical twins had significantly different amounts.

No amount of blotting and scrubbing will “remove” the skin’s oil production, and many of us unknowingly destroy the natural beauty of the skin in pursuit of clarity. The skin’s own sebum mechanism is there to regulate own moisture. Drying your skin profusely with oil-stripping, foaming cleansers, detergents and de-greasers like soap and sulfates, or alcohol-based toners that leave the skin feeling tight (always a sign it’s been stripped), will only cause the skin to “rebound” with excess oiliness and destroy its protective and anti-bacterial “matrix,” leaving it sensitized. By stripping the natural acid mantle of the skin, these deep cleaning products actually make skin more vulnerable to bacteria and inflammation. Dabbing benzoyl peroxide often destroys the beauty of the skin by causing flaking, while more aggressive treatments, such as antibiotics or Accutane can cause a cascade of side-effects.

Sun Safety for Skiers

Higher altitude means increased levels of harmful UV exposure compared to sea level areas. UV exposure increases 8-10 percent with every 1,000 feet above sea level.  At an altitude of 9-10,000 feet, UV may be 45-50 percent more intense than at sea level. In addition, snow reflects about 80 percent of the UV light from the sun, meaning that you are often hit by the same rays twice. This only contributes to the problem, further increasing the risk for skin cancer.

The combination of higher altitude and ultraviolet (UV) rays reflected by the snow puts skiers and snowboarders at an increased risk of sun damage and ultimately, skin cancer. More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. It’s easy to associate winter with frostbite and windburn, but most people are unaware that UV rays can be even more damaging on the slopes than on the beach,it’s important to take proper precautions while on the slopes.

Both snow and strong wind can wear away sunscreen and reduce its effectiveness, so you have to take extra precautions. To protect your skin from the bitter cold, heavy winds and winter sun, follow these important sun protection tips:
•    Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever you spend time outdoors. Apply 30 minutes before hitting the slopes.Be aware that the sun’s reflection off the snow is strong even on cloudy days.
•    Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly to all exposed skin - most skiers and snowboarders do not use enough sunscreen and therefore do not get the maximum protection.
•    Use a more moisturizing sunscreen. Winter conditions can be particularly harsh on the skin.
•    Be sure to cover often-missed spots: lips, ears, around eyes, neck, underside of chin, scalp and hands.
•    Always wear a lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher. Lips are even more sensitive than most parts of the skin.
•    Reapply at least every two hours, and more often after sweating or exposure to wind and snow.
•    Carry a travel-sized sunscreen and lip balm with you on the slopes. Reapply on the chairlift, especially after a long, snow-blown run.

Cover up.
•    Wear items like ski masks, which will cover most of the skin, leaving very little exposed to the wind and sun.
•    UV-blocking sunglasses or goggles that offer 100% UV protection and have wraparound or large frames protect your eyelids and the sensitive skin around your eyes, common sites for skin cancer and sun-induced aging. The sun’s rays and glare can impair your vision, so it’s important to wear sunglasses or goggles to clearly see the terrain. Plus, it will increase your enjoyment and performance while skiing.
Be mindful of time spent in the sun, regardless of the season.
•    Keep track of the time you spend in full sunlight. If possible, ski early in the morning and later on in the day, before 10AM and after 4PM. This helps avoid long lines and decreases the amount of time spent outdoors in the most intense hours of sunlight.
•    If you are on the slopes for most of the day, take a few breaks indoors to reapply sunscreen.
•    Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration from the sun.
Enjoy the winter season, but be sure to take care of your skin to avoid the damage the cold season can cause. The first organization in the U.S committed to educating the public and medical professionals about sun safety, The Skin Cancer Foundation is still the only global organization solely devoted to the prevention, detection and treatment of skin cancer. The mission of the Foundation is to decrease the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and research.

Side Effects and Conditions Caused By Isotretinoin

Minor discomforts such as dry mouth or nose, dry eyes, dry skin, or itching usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical attention unless they continue or are bothersome.

Other side effects should be brought to a physician’s attention. These include:
•    burning, redness, or itching of the eyes
•    nosebleeds
•    signs of inflammation of the lips, such as peeling, burning, redness or pain

Bowel inflammation is not a common side effect, but it may occur. If any of the following signs of bowel inflammation occur, stop taking isotretinoin immediately and check with a physician:
•    pain in the abdomen
•    bleeding from the rectum
•    severe diarrhea

Conditions Caused By Benzoyl Peroxide and Tretinoin

The most common side effects of antiacne drugs applied to the skin are slight redness, dryness, peeling, and stinging, and a warm feeling to the skin. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment.
Other side effects should be brought to a physician’s attention. Check with a physician as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

•    blistering, crusting, or swelling of the skin
•    severe burning or redness of the skin>
•    darkening or lightening of the skin (This effect will eventually go away after treatment with an antiacne drug ends.)
•    skin rash

Other side effects are possible with any type of antiacne drug. Anyone who has unusual symptoms while using antiacne drugs should get in touch with his or her physician.
Interactions

Patients using antiacne drugs on their skin should tell their physicians if they are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicine that they apply to the skin in the same area as the antiacne drug.

Isotretinoin may interact with other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes isotretinoin should let the physician know about all other medicines being used and should ask whether the possible interactions can interfere with drug therapy.

Among the drugs that may interact with isotretinoin are listed below:
•    Etretinate (Tegison), used to treat severe psoriasis. Using this medicine with isotretinoin increases side effects.
•    Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova). Using this medicine with isotretinoin increases side effects.
•    Vitamin A or any medicine containing vitamin A. Using any vitamin A preparations with isotretinoin increases side effects. Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A while taking isotretinoin.
•    Tetracyclines (used to treat infections). Using these medicines with isotretinoin increases the chance of swelling of the brain. Make sure the physician knows if tetracycline is being used to treat acne or another infection.

Parental Concerns

Acne comes at a difficult time, the adolescent years. While mild acne can be treated with over-the-counter medications, more severe acne needs medical attention. Experts advise against a wait-and-see attitude. Treatment options can help control acne and avoid scarring.

Isotretinoin can cause serious birth defects, including mental retardation and physical deformities. This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. Sexually active adolescent females who are able to bear children should not use isotretinoin unless they have very severe acne that has not cleared up with the use of other antiacne drugs. In addition, acne treatments that can dry the skin should be used with caution by people with skin of color.

Benzoyl peroxide and Isotretinoin

Benzoyl peroxide is found in many over-the-counter acne products that are applied to the skin, such as Benoxyl, Neutrogena Acne, PanOxyl, and some formulations of Clean & Clear, Clearasil, and Oxy. Some benzoyl peroxide products are available without a physician’s prescription; others require a prescription. Acne treatments that can dry the skin should be used with caution by people with skin of color.
Tretinoin (Retin-A) is available only with a physician’s prescription. It comes in liquid, cream, and gel forms, which are applied to the skin. Isotretinoin (Accutane), which is taken by mouth in capsule form, is available only with a physician’s prescription. Only physicians experienced in diagnosing and treating severe acne, such as dermatologists, should prescribe isotretinoin.
Recommended Dosages

The recommended dosage depends on the type of antiacne drug. These drugs usually come with written directions for patients and should be used only as directed by the prescribing physician. Teens who have questions about how to use the medicine should check with their physician or pharmacist.

Patients who use isotretinoin usually take the medicine for a few months, then stop for at least two months. Their acne may continue to improve even after they stop taking the medicine. If the condition is still severe after several months of treatment and a two-month break, the physician may prescribe a second course of treatment.
Precautions

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin can cause serious birth defects, including mental retardation and physical deformities. This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. Females who are able to bear children should not use isotretinoin unless they have very severe acne that has not cleared up with the use of other antiacne drugs. In that case, a woman who uses this drug must have a pregnancy test two weeks before beginning treatment and each month she is taking the drug. Another pregnancy test must be done one month after treatment ends. The woman must use an effective birth control method for one month before treatment begins and must continue using it throughout treatment and for one month after treatment ends.

Females who are able to bear children and who want to use this medicine should discuss this information with their healthcare providers. Before using the medicine, they will be asked to sign a consent form stating that they understand the danger of taking isotretinoin during pregnancy and that they agree to use effective birth control.
People using this drug should not donate blood to a blood bank while taking isotretinoin or for 30 days after treatment with the drug ends. This will help reduce the chance of a pregnant woman receiving blood containing isotretinoin, which could cause birth defects.
Isotretinoin may cause a sudden decrease in night vision. If this happens, users should not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until vision returns to normal. They should also let the physician know about the problem.

This medicine may also make the eyes, nose, and mouth dry. Ask the physician about using special eye drops to relieve eye dryness. To temporarily relieve the dry mouth, chew sugarless gum, suck on sugarless candy or ice chips, or use saliva substitutes, which come in liquid and tablet forms and are available without a prescription. If the problem continues for more than two weeks, check with a physician or dentist. Mouth dryness that continues over a long time may contribute to tooth decay and other dental problems.
Isotretinoin may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Patients being treated with this medicine should avoid exposure to the sun and should not use tanning beds, tanning booths, or sunlamps until they know how the drug affects them.

In the early stages of treatment with isotretinoin, some people’s acne seems to get worse before it starts getting better. If the condition becomes much worse or if the skin is very irritated, they should check with the physician who prescribed the medicine.

SKIN HYDRATION: OILY VS. DRY

With oily skin, your face may often look shiny, and you naturally avoid products that feel oily. You’ll be more vulnerable to acne and breakouts than dry skin types. People with dry skin will notice that their skin feels dry and has a dull color and/or rough texture.

Oil Production

The skin has many oil (sebaceous) glands, which secrete oil that contains wax esters, triglycerides, and squalene. These fats (or lipids) form a film that helps keep moisture in the skin. While increased sebum production results in oily skin, the opposite is not always the case, as dry skin can also arise from an impaired skin barrier. Oil production can be affected by diet, stress, and hormones-as well as genetics. In a study of twenty pairs each of identical and nonidentical same-sex twins, identical twins had virtually identical amounts of oil production, while the nonidentical twins had significantly different amounts.

Dryness and oiliness depend primarily on the condition of the skin barrier, the outer layer of skin which helps the skin retain moisture, and the oil (sebum) production itself. The barrier is like a brick wall, with each brick (or cell) held in place by mortar (fats called lipids). Harmful ingredients, cold, and dry weather can wear down these fats, eroding the mortar so that the “bricks” are not secured in their proper place. A variety of outside agents, including detergents, acetone, chlorine and other chemicals, and even prolonged water immersion can harm the barrier, or the barrier may be deficient for genetic reasons.

The barrier’s main components are ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, all different kinds of lipids. These must be present in the right proportion to keep the skin watertight. An impaired barrier will tend toward both dryness and sensitivity. Dryness results when skin moisture evaporates. Sensitivity results when a deficient barrier permits the entry of outside irritants.

Repairing the skin barrier with the right skin care products will help treat a variety of skin conditions. Incorporating key dietary nutrients, such as essential fatty acids and cholesterol, provides the necessary building blocks. Nutrient deficiencies can weaken your skin’s ability to repair and rebuild, which is why people who take cholesterol-lowering drugs often have dry skin.

Helpful Hints to Heal Acne

While we all wish to have perfect skin, some days are more important than others - whether it’s a job interview, an important date, or a social gathering where you may be introduced to many new people, looking our best during these special occasions is usually a priority. While acne should be the last thing on our minds, many times the additional stress brought on by these very important occasions can result in just that – unwanted acne.

If you have ever awakened to a big day only to find a BIG SPOT where it shouldn’t be, read the below tips to help prevent and heal acne more regularly to help avoid those nasty last minute acne issues.

Acne Tip #1

Drink plenty of water – plain and simple. This is probably one of the best ways to prevent future acne. Doctors recommend this easy exercise to remember – whatever your body weight is in pounds, divide that number by two to get the number of ounces of water you should consume for optimal skin flushing and overall health. Add a slice of lemon juice to further enhance the cleansing effects. Your goal is to flush all the toxins in your body and cleanse your skin from inside out. This will also help your body run smoothly by cleaning out unnecessary toxins that help build bacteria onto your skin.

Acne Tip #2

Resist the urge to pop - popping your pimples incorrectly is something you don’t want to do. There are dermatologist recommendations how to do this properly, but most folks want the offending item removed much earlier than it is safe to do so. While it can be a quick fix to your acne, the incorrect action could result in a scar that could become very noticeable if you make a habit of popping. Even worse, most dermatologists tell us the majority of the plugged oil creating the acne goes back into the underlying skin layer, which will reform as more acne later. If you really need to pop, try to follow a safe procedure.

Acne Tip #3

Change your bed linens regularly –changing your linens weekly is ideal. Repeatedly placing your skin on the surface of a pillow or sheet will allow bacteria and oil to build up, creating an environment for further outbreaks.

Following these simple actions can help tremendously when it comes to having acne free skin.