How To Get Rid Of Under Eye Bags & Puffy Eyes! | Dr. Shereene Idriss

Summary

In this informative video, Dr. Shireen Idris, a board-certified dermatologist, addresses common under-eye concerns like dryness, puffiness, and dark circles. She explains the unique characteristics of the under-eye area and debunks skincare myths, offering savvy advice on selecting effective eye creams and treatments. From the importance of understanding one's skin type and genetics to the role of ingredients like caffeine and retinol, Dr. Idris provides practical tips and product recommendations for a more youthful and radiant eye area.

Takeaways

• 👁️ The under-eye area is prone to issues like dryness, dark circles, puffiness, and crepey skin due to its unique characteristics compared to the rest of the face.
• 🔍 Dr. Shireen Idris emphasizes the importance of understanding the root cause of under-eye problems before selecting a treatment or product.
• 💡 The under-eye skin is thinner, has less sebum production, and is more sensitive, which contributes to aging signs like fine lines and wrinkles.
• 🌗 Dark circles can be due to pigmentation or vascularity; understanding the cause is key for effective treatment.
• 🍵 Caffeine and ingredients like Vitamin K can help with dark circles by addressing the blood vessels and enhancing skin brightness.
• 🚫 Beware of gimmicky products that promise instant results for under-eye issues; they often contain film-forming agents that may not provide long-lasting effects.
• 🛑 Puffiness can be a result of fluid retention or fat pad displacement; the latter may require surgical intervention.
• 🥑 Ingredients like retinol and its alternatives can help with fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production.
• 💧 Hydrating eye creams are essential for addressing dryness and crepey skin, and can be found at various price points.
• 🧴 Products like Vaseline or Ultra Facial Cream can be used for under-eye hydration without the need for expensive specialized creams.
• 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Idris shares personal experiences and professional advice, highlighting the role of genetics, lifestyle, and proper skincare in managing under-eye concerns.

Q & A

What are the main issues discussed in the video regarding under-eye concerns?

The video discusses under-eye crepiness, dryness, puffiness, darkening, and fine lines and wrinkles.

Why is the under-eye skin different from the rest of the face?

The under-eye skin is different because it is thinner, has less sebum production, loses elastin and collagen more noticeably, has increased vascularity, and is more sensitive.

What are the five reasons for the unique characteristics of the under-eye skin?

The reasons are: 1) It's thinner, averaging 0.5 millimeters compared to 1-2 millimeters on the rest of the face. 2) There is less sebum production due to fewer sebaceous glands. 3) There is a loss of elastin and collagen. 4) There is increased vascularity with weaker and wider blood vessels as we age. 5) The skin is more sensitive due to these factors.

What are the two main reasons for dark circles under the eyes according to the video?

The two main reasons for dark circles are pigmentation and vascularity.

How can you differentiate between pigmentation and vascularity as causes for dark circles?

You can differentiate by using a headlight and a mirror while laying flat; if the darkness disappears, it's likely due to vascularity, but if it remains, it's probably due to pigmentation.

What ingredients should one look for in products to address pigmentation-related dark circles?

Ingredients to look for include kojic acid, arbutin, licorice root, and niacinamide.

What is the role of caffeine in eye creams for addressing puffiness?

Caffeine in eye creams helps to constrict blood vessels, reducing the appearance of puffiness caused by blood vessel enlargement.

Why are some products on the market considered gimmicks for addressing under-eye issues?

Some products are considered gimmicks because they contain film-forming agents that temporarily tighten the skin but can crack and crease with the application of makeup or moisturizer, offering no long-term benefits.

How can retinol help with fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes?

Retinol promotes collagen production, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the density of the skin.

What alternative to retinol is mentioned in the video for those with sensitive skin?

Hydroxypenicolon retinoate, also known as Granactive retinoid, is mentioned as an alternative to retinol that provides similar effects without the irritation.

What are some non-prescription methods to address dryness and crepey skin under the eyes?

Hydration is key, and using products like Ultra Facial Cream or Vaseline can help. Also, applying a small piece of saran wrap with Keels or Vaseline can provide a hydrating mask effect.

Outlines

00:00

👀 Understanding Under Eye Issues and Skin Care

Dr. Shireen Idris, a board-certified dermatologist, introduces the video by addressing common under-eye concerns such as dryness, puffiness, and crepiness. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique characteristics of the under-eye skin, which include its thinness, less sebum production, loss of elastin and collagen, increased vascularity, and sensitivity. Dr. Idris also highlights the role of genetics in aging and suggests that consumers be savvy when choosing eye creams due to high markups and ineffective gimmicks. She outlines the main under-eye problems she observes in her patients and shares her personal experience with an allergic reaction to an expensive eye cream at a young age.

05:01

🌗 Tackling Dark Circles and Puffiness with the Right Ingredients

The second paragraph delves into the causes of dark circles under the eyes, which can be due to pigmentation or vascularity. Dr. Idris suggests using products with brightening ingredients like kojic acid, arbutin, licorice root, and niacinamide to address pigmentation. For vascular issues, she recommends caffeine and ingredients like acetyl hexapeptide-8 to constrict blood vessels and reduce puffiness. She also discusses the temporary solutions for puffiness, such as cold compresses with caffeinated tea bags, and the limitations of 'gimmicky' products that promise instant results but fail to provide long-term benefits.

10:02

🍀 Addressing Fine Lines, Wrinkles, and Crepey Skin

In the third paragraph, Dr. Idris discusses the development of fine lines and wrinkles due to the loss of collagen in the under-eye area. She shares her personal journey with early signs of aging and her professional treatments, including micro-needling with radio frequency and PRP injections, to stimulate collagen production. For over-the-counter solutions, she recommends retinol-based eye creams that are formulated to be less irritating, such as those from Kate Somerville and Glow Recipe. She also mentions the use of prescription-strength tretinoin for more experienced skincare users and the importance of finding a trustworthy medical provider for filler treatments.

15:02

💧 Combating Dryness and Enhancing Under-Eye Hydration

The final paragraph focuses on the issue of dryness and crepey skin under the eyes, which can be exacerbated by factors such as aging, over-washing, allergies, and contact lens use. Dr. Idris stresses the importance of hydrating eye creams and provides cost-effective alternatives, such as using an ultra facial cream or Vaseline for targeted hydration. She also shares a hack involving Saran Wrap to lock in moisture and concludes the video with a reminder to enjoy the skincare process and to look for products that genuinely improve one's skin condition.

Keywords

💡Dry eyes

Dry eyes refer to a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears for adequate lubrication, leading to discomfort and a feeling of dryness. In the video, Dr. Shireen Idris discusses how dry eyes can contribute to the overall appearance of the under-eye area, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue as part of a comprehensive skincare routine.

💡Dark circles

Dark circles are the discoloration under the eyes that can be caused by various factors such as genetics, aging, and lifestyle choices. The video explains that understanding the root cause, whether it's pigmentation or vascularity, is crucial for treating dark circles. Dr. Idris provides insights into both the causes and potential remedies, including the use of certain serums and lifestyle adjustments.

💡Puffiness

Puffiness under the eyes can be a result of fluid retention, allergies, or even the natural aging process that causes fat pads to herniate. The video script mentions that while temporary puffiness can be addressed with certain creams or cold compresses, permanent puffiness due to fat pads may require surgical intervention or fillers.

💡Crepey skin

Crepey skin is characterized by a thin, loose, and wrinkled appearance, often seen in the under-eye area due to the thinness of the skin and reduced collagen and elastin. Dr. Idris discusses the importance of using hydrating eye creams to combat the crepey texture and provides examples of suitable products.

💡Sebum

Sebum is the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin, which helps to maintain its integrity and suppleness. The video explains that the under-eye area has fewer sebaceous glands, leading to less sebum production and thus a higher likelihood of dryness and premature aging.

💡Elastin

Elastin is a protein in the skin that provides elasticity and helps it to return to its original shape after stretching. The script mentions that the under-eye area has less elastin, which contributes to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles as it diminishes with age.

💡Collagen

Collagen is another crucial protein that provides structure and strength to the skin. The video discusses the loss of collagen in the under-eye area, which leads to sagging and the appearance of fine lines, and suggests products that can help stimulate collagen production.

💡Retinol

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that is widely used in skincare for its anti-aging properties, including the promotion of collagen production. The video mentions retinol as a key ingredient in eye creams designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, with a note on the importance of using formulations specifically designed for the delicate eye area.

💡Vascularity

Vascularity refers to the condition of having an increased visibility of blood vessels, which can contribute to the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. The video explains how the natural aging process can lead to blood vessels becoming weaker and more visible, thus causing shadowing and dark circles.

💡Gimmicks

Gimmicks in the context of the video refer to marketing tactics or product features that may not provide long-lasting or effective results. Dr. Idris warns viewers about certain products that claim to reduce puffiness or fine lines but may only offer temporary effects due to film-forming agents or lack of substantive active ingredients.

💡Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body that helps to retain moisture in the skin, giving it plumpness and elasticity. The video mentions hyaluronic acid as an ingredient in some eye creams that can provide hydration and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Highlights

The video discusses common under-eye issues like crepiness, dryness, puffiness, and dark circles, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the root cause for effective treatment.

Dr. Shireen Idris, a board-certified dermatologist, shares her expertise on addressing under-eye concerns with practical advice and product recommendations.

Five reasons are given for why the under-eye skin is different from the rest of the face, including its thinness, less sebum production, and increased sensitivity.

The importance of being a savvy consumer when choosing eye creams is stressed due to the high markup and gimmicks often found in the market.

Two main reasons for dark circles under the eyes are identified: pigmentation and vascularity, with a simple method to determine the cause suggested.

The role of genetics in aging and under-eye issues is highlighted, with a personal anecdote from Dr. Idris about an allergic reaction to an expensive cream.

Brightening ingredients like kojic acid, arbutin, and licorice root are recommended for addressing pigmentation-related dark circles.

Caffeine is suggested as an ingredient to reduce the appearance of dark circles caused by blood vessel issues.

The use of cold compresses, such as chilled tea bags, is recommended for temporary de-puffing due to their caffeine content.

Vitamin K is highlighted as an ingredient that can help diminish the appearance of dark circles by restoring brightness and strengthening vasculature.

Puffiness under the eyes can be a persistent issue due to fat pads and may require surgical intervention for a long-term solution.

Arnica is recommended as an anti-inflammatory for temporary de-puffing caused by factors like crying or allergies.

The video criticizes gimmicky products that promise instant results for under-eye issues but fail to deliver long-term benefits.

Retinol and its derivatives are suggested for promoting collagen production to address fine lines and wrinkles.

The importance of using eye creams specifically formulated for the delicate under-eye area is emphasized to avoid irritation.

Kate Somerville's retinol eye cream and other products with retinol alternatives are recommended for their effectiveness and reduced irritation.

The video provides a tip on using Vaseline or petroleum jelly as a hydrating mask for the under-eye area to combat dryness and crepey skin.

The final advice is that not all expensive eye creams are necessary, and cheaper alternatives can be just as effective when used correctly.

Transcripts

if you have dry eyes dark circles

puffiness crepey skin underneath your

eyes and you feel like your concealer is

constantly holding on to every single

crevice this video is for you I am Dr

Shireen Idris welcome to my YouTube

channel where every Saturday morning we

do a pillow talk Durham who the hell am

I though I am a board-certified

dermatologist and you guys are missing

out if you're not following Along on

YouTube Instagram or Tick Tock so make

sure to subscribe like this video and

comment if you have a question or you

want to learn more about another topic

so without further Ado let us talk about

under eye crepiness dryness puffiness

darkening you name it in order to

understand the problem you have to

understand the root cause and when it

comes to eye creams you really have to

be a Savvy consumer because there's

oftentimes a lot of markup a lot of

gimmicks on things that are never going

to make a difference for your skin and

your under eye area if you don't know

what your problem is

five reasons why the under eye skin is

different than the rest of your face

starting with number one it is thinner

it's usually on average 0.5 millimeters

whereas the rest of your face is one to

two millimeters in thickness so it's

more prone to signs of aging number two

there is less production of sebum you

have less sebaceous glands underneath

your eyes sebum is what kind of keeps

our integrity of our skin as we get

older and because we have less sebum we

are again going to get a little bit more

crinkly as we get older number three we

have loss of elastin and collagen in

this area and because there is less to

begin with as we lose it

it shows more and that is what leads to

all of those fine lines and wrinkles

that we develop in our wiser years but

not always in our wiser ears sometimes

it happens in our 20s and yes at 20 I

was pretty dumb and number four there is

increased vascularity in the area our

blood vessels are there naturally blood

vessels become weaker and wider as we

get older allowing for blood to seep out

once the blood seeps out and once they

get bigger there is going to be more

shadowing and five increased sensitivity

because of all of the above thinner skin

less sebaceous glands less collagen less

elastin and more vascularity can all

lead to increased sensitivity so if

you're using an exfoliating mask all

over your face you may not be able to

use it necessarily next to your eyes

because it will be sensitive so all of

those are the reasons as to what happens

later on the four biggest problems that

I noticed in my patients are number one

dark circles number two puffiness number

three fine lines and wrinkles and number

four dry and crepey skin when I was 14

my mom thought I was developing Fine

Lines underneath my eyes and she bought

me a really expensive cream that cream

gave me an allergic reaction and it was

never used again but genetics plays a

huge part in the aging process so

whatever I'm gonna say today always look

at your family members in order to

understand your genetics before you go

ahead and purchase a very expensive

cream that might Jack Shadow to your

skin so starting with dark circles and

genetics there are two main reasons why

we get dark circles underneath our eyes

one is pigmentation and two is

vascularity I did a whole video on this

and I'm going to link it below the cheap

way of finding out why you have the dark

circles is to kind of put a headlight

over your face lay flat just like that

with a mirror and a headlight and if

that discoloration Darkness disappears

it's probably due to shadowing and

vascularity but if that Darkness

discoloration stays it is probably due

to pigmentation and genetics and you're

not going to really get rid of it with a

cream poor sleep can lead to dark

circles dehydration can lead to dark

circles and aging obviously is going to

lead to darkening of your under eye

circles because like we talked about it

the blood vessels do get wider our skin

loses more collagen and elastin and

we're going to be more prone to

shadowing so if our issue is

pigmentation discoloration right it is

going to be very hard to treat

especially if you have genetic

predispositions if it is due to

pigmentation that has gotten slowly

worse over time and you really don't

have any genetic predispositions you

want to look for products like the

Pillow Talk Durham hyper serum which is

a serum that has brightening ingredients

what are the brightening ingredients

kojic acid arbutin licorice root a

little bit of niacinamide can help and

even the hydration through the glycerin

can make a big difference

this is not a dedicated eye cream but a

serum for the rest of the face that is

moisturizing can also double up in fact

as a eye cream I'm gonna put another

drop right here did I put it right there

and this way you get the double bang for

your buck you're not only brightening

but you're also going to be hydrating so

when you're looking at products

understand what you're using and where

else they can be versatility used as

well

number two if the shadowing and the

darkening is due to blood vessels and

enlargement of your blood vessels you

want to take that blood vessel and close

it up caffeine is a huge plus that you

can use the inculus has a caffeinated

eye cream I believe it is at four

percent with matrixyl 3000 in it that

has peptides to help reduce the

appearance of Fine Lines otherwise

current state also has a peptide eye

cream as well just like this this one

retails for 17 bucks and it has no

fragrance to it but it also has acetyl

hexapeptide 8 which is very moisturizing

and last if you cannot find yourself a

caffeinated eye cream just get a tea bag

of black tea or even caffeinated green

tea

soak the water put it in the fridge and

then overnight in the morning put it on

your eyes and you will see within 10-15

minutes you will de-puff from the cold

and from the caffeine of the caffeinated

tea

otherwise Vitamin K is another very good

ingredient that you can also use this is

distance K Ox eye cream it comes with a

metal actually it's not a metal a

plastic applicator in which when you

squeeze it right you can easily just

sort of apply the cream and massage it

into the area one which works really

really nice for the under eye area it

has a light scent I really like the

scent if you like scent it is expensive

at 97 I sometimes try to spread this

product and even use it around my nose

if I have extra redness around my nose

or even at the crease of my chin area

vitamin K helps to diminish the

appearance of dark circles by restoring

the brightness and really fortifying the

vasculature underneath the surface of

the skin that gets weaker as we age all

right

but

darkening of your under eyes is not the

only problem the second problem that

people often notice is puffiness so as

we get older some people develop

puffiness over here and over here

puffiness can be due to many different

things it can be due to a crazy night

out eating sushi crying allergies you

get where I'm going here lymphatic fluid

pulling underneath your eyes and it can

be due to your fat pads that were

naturally underneath your eyes slowly

herniating through and becoming

permanently puffy so puffiness is not

always transient puffiness can actually

become all the time there and when it's

all the time there it's usually due to

your fat pad and the only thing that's

going to fix that is surgery no eye

cream is going to get rid of that type

of puffiness it's only going to be

surgery or if you have the right Anatomy

underneath filler can kind of a mask it

but it will never get rid of it

if your puffiness is due to lymphatic

fluid because of crying because of

allergies because of a crazy night out

then there are certain products on the

market that can de-puff like my own deep

puffer and that is why I called it a

deep puffer arnica is a great

anti-inflammatory I actually use it all

the time in my practice post-injection

for bruising and I like that it comes in

the form obviously of a roller I made it

this way to make sure that you can

massage that lymphatic fluid away but if

your puffiness is due to a fat pad this

is not going to help so you have to

understand why you have under eye

puffiness but the arnica is great

sentella also reduces the look of

redness so if you're crying allergies

alcohol salty food and you're red this

is also going to help but if you're

puffy because you're fat herniated

underneath your eyes not because you're

fat because you're fat burning

underneath your eyes it's not going to

help so understanding the root cause it

makes a huge difference

in recent months there have been

gimmicky products that have come on the

market It Cosmetics has come up with

their Bye Bye Under Eye which retails

for 40 bucks I had done a video on Tick

Tock where plexaderm you know I was

showing the effects of plexaderm on a

lady who helps me at home and she has

really bad herniated fat pads underneath

her eyes to see if it can reduce the

look of puffiness of her under eye fat

pads and then today I was at CVS and I

found this tint and Titan I posted it on

Instagram and the followers said that

sounds like a dirty name

it kind of does but I found this product

at CVS also retailing for 41 or 42

dollars this one also retails for 41 so

all of them are around the same price

range all three of these products

whether it's plexaderm whether it's the

IT Cosmetics or whether it's tint and

Titan are all gimmicks because they

basically have film forming agents that

kind of create a barrier on top of your

skin to tighten your skin temporarily

all right and that is a key word and

they have some hydrating ingredients

like the acetyl hexapeptide eight or

they have a little bit of hydrolyzed

rice protein or they have something else

and it may be a little bit of hyaluronic

acid or whatever

but ultimately the second you put makeup

on top or you put a moisturizer on top

of it it will start to crack and crease

and kind of create a tiny film that

pills off and the effects are really not

that long lasting the only way you're

going to get a long lasting effect if

it's all you put on your face and you

kind of skip and bypass the makeup and

you'll have like a full days effect but

it will crease and crack throughout the

day so before you go and spend all of

your money on all of these tightening

products they're not great they may be

great for like photo shoot they may be

great for like a very short

visit to somebody who's important where

you're trying to have a Cinderella

effect but they're not great and they're

not going to help your face in the long

run number three

is fine lines and wrinkles now fine

lines and wrinkles like I told you guys

I've had since I was like

probably 14 and they've gotten better as

I've gotten older not because of fillers

because I cannot inject myself with

fillers in my under eyes I do inject my

own face but because I have done micro

needling treatments with radio frequency

heat to tighten the skin and I've also

Incorporated PRP which is when I take my

own blood I spin it and I get the

platelet-rich plasma and I've injected

it under my eyes to help stimulate

collagen production the reason why we

get fine lines and wrinkles is because

we lose collagen underneath our eyes and

this area is naturally less dense with

less collagen to begin with so in terms

of fixes over the counter you want

anything with an ingredient that's going

to help to promote collagen production

the most tried and true is retinol but

retinol is notoriously very irritating

so you do want to get an eye cream

specifically formulated with a retinol

in it because either the retinol is

going to be at a lower percentage and

consistency over time is going to win

over for intensity in short periods of

times for the under eyes or it's

formulated with a alternative to a

retinol that gives similar effects

without the irritations the first one is

going to be

Kate Somerville Kate Somerville has her

retinol eye cream for a hundred bucks

this actually has hydroxypenicolon

retino weight in it which is also known

as Gran active retinoid which is in skin

fix which is in the ordinary and this is

a cousin of retinol without being as

irritating it also has bakushul which is

quote unquote the natural alternative

that pregnant women use and I really do

like it because it comes with a metal

applicator and I find metal applicators

especially around the eye to just be

cooling by Nature because they're cold

and that cooling effect can also help to

minimize some of the

vasodilatation the redness the blood

vessels Etc under your eyes so Kate

Somerville has her retinol eye cream

that is a great one otherwise glow

recipe has their avocado melt retinol

eye sleeping mask

there's hardly any scent to this it is a

like spackle of a product I'll show you

guys it's really thick so at least

you're gonna double up in terms of

hydration and retinol the issue with

this one is that it's an encapsulated

retinol so it is retinol which can be

irritating but it's encapsulated so it's

going to be a slow and steady release of

it instead of it all at once they don't

disclose the percentage either which I

do find annoying in these products but

they're probably worried that they're so

low that the consumer is going to be

like why am I using this I might as well

just use something else that's my guess

but it is a nice rich cream my hands

feel very very

speckled if you have a lot of dryness

it's a nice one to use number seven has

their pure retinol eye cream as well and

this also comes with a tiny little not

applicator tip but tiny little syringe

situation but it doesn't disclose the

percentage it has retinol and ceramides

so it helps to kind of restore that

fatty layer in your skin and if you want

if you are somebody who really doesn't

have sensitive skin and you know

put it underneath your eyes then get a

0.025 prescription tretinoin which is

the lightest tretinoin or prescription

retinol you can get and put it very

lightly on top of the Vaseline

that is for not the beginners but the

real you know hardcore

um skincare users out there there is a

video I did with the five golden rules

for retinol you guys can watch it below

with regards to fillers it really

depends on your anatomy And it depends

if you're a right candidate and it

really depends on who you land this is

where you really want to trust your

medical provider who is going to do the

fillers for you because everyone has a

different aesthetic and you want to make

sure that you two Vibe because the last

thing you want is to look puffy because

of the fillers underneath your eyes and

then breaking that up you're gonna think

you look sunken in it's a mess so you

have to find the right person for you

number four and we are on our last point

when it comes to the under eyes dryness

and crepey skin like we said it is

thinner there is less sebum it is more

prone to being dried out as you get

older over washing your face can make it

worse allergies can make it worse

long-term contact lens use can make it

worse because that is me because as we

lose our meibomian glands they become

weaker as they get older we become more

prone to dry eyes and dry eyes can lead

to dryness around our under eyes so that

can make everything worse as well as

constant rubbing scratching eczema and

dehydration

so that is a mouthful um hydrating eye

creams are key do you have to go and pay

200 bucks for a library under eye cream

that my mom gave me when I was 14. no if

you like it because at the end of the

day skincare is about enjoying the

process and making you feel better and

if you like that God bless you do you

but you don't have to kills Ultra facial

cream literally for your whole face you

can just dab extra underneath your eyes

Vaseline Perfection uh working hand is a

thick moisturizer for your hands that

you can literally use underneath your

eyes as well so you do not need to go

get a special cream as hack that I love

to do especially in the winter time

is to take Keels or Vaseline to cut out

a tiny piece of Saran Wrap and to apply

it to my under eyes and let it sit for

like five or ten minutes as I'm drying

my hair and by the time I take it off

and I have to do my makeup my under eyes

are

I hope you guys enjoyed that little tip

and I hope you enjoyed this video have a

beautiful weekend and happy July and I

will catch you guys next week leave any

of your questions or comments below see

you later

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