Hello and welcome to another Mailbag Friday! If this is your first time, every Friday I answer two questions from customers who want my advice to help them achieve a more youthful and radiant complexion. Let’s dive right in with our first question from Amanda in Detroit, MI.
Q: Hi Dr. Ryan. I've had a really hard time with Dark Circles under my eyes recently. How can I help make them less obvious?
A: Hi Amanda! Dark circles are a lot more common than most people think, but they can be really hard to get rid of and even tougher to cover up. But don’t worry! There are ways to tackle those pesky shadows and brighten up those under-eye areas. Let’s discuss your options…
First things first, let's talk about sleep…
Getting enough rest is crucial for keeping those dark circles at bay, so aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night.
A neat little trick I learned is to elevate your head while sleeping to prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes, which can make those dark circles worse.
Next, let’s talk about skincare!
I’m going to prescribe you one simple ingredient - Niacinamide.
Look for eye serums containing this ingredient which can help brighten and tighten the delicate skin under your eyes.
One Eye Serum I can recommend is my Eye Recovery Serum! It has Niacinamide to help keep the eye area healthy and youthful, plus a bunch of other age-defying ingredients!
Application matters too!
Gently pat the Eye Recovery Serum onto your under-eye area using your ring finger, as this finger applies the least amount of pressure and causes less damage.
The less damage you cause to your under eye area, the faster it will regenerate and get back to it’s normal, bright self!
Lastly, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, as dehydration can make dark circles more pronounced. Incorporate foods rich in antioxidants, like berries and leafy greens, into your diet to support skin health from within.
By incorporating these tips into your routine and giving your under-eye area a little extra love and attention, you can help make those dark circles less noticeable and put a little pep back into your step.
So chin up, Amanda – brighter days (and brighter under-eyes) are ahead!
Our next question comes from Susan in Lexington-Fayette, KY.
Q: Hello Dr. Ryan. The wrinkles in between my brows are getting worse each day. What do you suggest?
A: Hi Susan! Those pesky wrinkles between the brows – they can be quite the bother, can't they? I’m glad you came to me, because I have some tips to help smooth things out and minimize the appearance of those lines…
First and foremost, we’ll need to focus on skincare…
One ingredient that I’m confident will make the biggest difference for you is retinol.
This powerhouse ingredient can help stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture, effectively reducing the appearance of wrinkles over time.
Just be sure to start slowly and gradually increase the frequency of use to avoid irritation!
I actually have two retinol products in my store that are great for both beginners and experienced retinol users. They are the Retinol Defense Cream and the Retinol PM Booster.
Whether you prefer a serum or a cream form of retinol, it should help you see the difference in those fine lines, as long as you stick with it!
Another option you might want to consider is facial exercises or massage techniques targeted specifically at the muscles between your brows.
These exercises can help strengthen and tone the muscles, reducing the depth of wrinkles and preventing them from becoming more pronounced over time.
Lastly, don't forget about the importance of hydration and nourishment from within!
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and plump, and incorporate foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids into your diet to support skin health from the inside out.
By incorporating these tips into your routine and giving those wrinkles between your brows a little extra attention, you can help smooth things out and maintain a more youthful appearance.
Let me know how it goes, Susan!
