Looking Into The “Window of the Soul”
Author: Michelle Sumner

Have you ever looked into someone’s eyes trying to see into their soul and found yourself not being able to get past the crow’s feet? Thinking to yourself… “Gosh, I hope my crow’s feet don’t look that bad.” Well, they are the windows of the soul indeed and more. Eyes provide us with the ability to experience all the wonder and beauty of this beautiful planet we live on. They glisten with excitement, sparkle with joy and fill with tears of sorrow when we are sad. The eyes remain the single area of visual contact when exchanging information with other people, which makes them the most examined and exposed part of the body. Because of this, we all want them to look their best.

The skin around the eyes is one of the first areas to show the signs of environmental damage and aging. Wrinkle prevention begins with the awareness of your habits, and good skin care practices. Squinting and blinking along with health and nutrition contribute to the condition of the skin surrounding the eye breaking down the delicate tissue. The average person blinks about 12 times per minute which amounts to 10,080 blinks in a day. Whether it’s squinting, blinking or glancing around, the eyes are essentially in constant motion. Lack or misuse of a good eye cream inhibits firmness, moisture and circulation. Smoking, sun, stress, allergies, and even the way we remove our makeup has an effect on the aging of the tissue around our eyes.

Proper skin care is a must! Beginning with a gentle eye makeup remover along with facial cleaser, clean the face and eye area in a gentle circular motion. This process is imperative to the aging process. When this area is not properly cleansed, deposits of chemicals and pigments from makeup cause dehydration and premature aging. Eye products come in creams, serums and gels and should be used in the morning and evening. They come in a wide variety of ingredients designed to nourish, firm, lift and smooth as well as promote circulation to the surrounding tissue. For the daytime eye cream it is beneficial to have ingredients such as collagen, elastin, albumin, vitamin K or hyaluronic acid. These ingredients plump the eye area, and create the appearance of firmer, more taught skin, allowing makeup application easier. Nighttime moisturizers should contain ingredients that nourish and promote

cellular renewal along with exfoliation. Some ingredients would include retinol, alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, along with vitamins A, C and E. A recent study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed the use of topical vitamin A, vitamin K and retinol was the most beneficial in the treatment of blood vessel proliferation, a common cause of dark circles. All eye products should be applied in a gentle tapping motion from the 4th finger or the ring finger or your hand.
Professional eye care is a must! Incorporating professional eye treatments along with monthly facials help to slow down the breakdown of the surrounding tissue of the eye. Stimulating this tissue creates blood flow, oxygen and cellular turnover to this delicate area. Serums and masques plump the tissue creating a much tighter, firmer and more youthful look around the eye area. Advanced eye treatments such as lymphatic drainage and microdermabrasion can be incorporated into the professional eye treatment as well. With the proper use of this treatment years can be taken away from your eyes!

Exercise!! Exercising regularly helps to improve circulation bringing vital nutrients to the surrounding eye area. According to Lou Bernard of UT Trainer in New York has found that slow, short, smooth Lamaze-type breathing with the jaw remaining relaxed and facial muscles relaxed throughout the performance of the exercise bring additional nutrients to the delicate tissue surrounding the eye area thus affecting the aging process.

Surgery….an option Is surgery really an option for you?

Would preventive care be enough for you to move into the golden years aging gracefully allowing Father Time to take its course with all the preventive measures through life that you have already secured through proper skin care, professional skin care treatments, diet, environment, and exercise?

Education and the aging process move hand in hand with one another. Ask you skin care professional what you can do to slow down aging or reverse the Hands of Father Time not only in the eye area but on the entire face.

Please ask about our customized eye treatments and exclusive eye care products.

References: Les Nouvelles Esthetiques August 2003