Editorial Dil Se From Vimla Patil Health & Fitness Living Short Story Beauty Short Story Current Affairs Lifestyle Prev Issue Next Issue

The eyes reveal a great deal. They lend meaning and expression to our thoughts and feelings. If we are bored, angry, happy, or tired, the eyes reflect it. Modern occupations and activities take a heavy toll on the eyes. Spending long hours looking at computer and television screens, reading fine print and figures, as well as air pollutants result in much eye fatigue. Lack of sleep can also affect the eyes. They begin to look puffy and bloodshot. Habitual lack of sleep can even lead to dark circles under the eyes. This not only tells on the appearance, but on the eyes themselves. What we actually need to do is to be aware of the danger to our eyes and care for them daily.

Regular sleep and rest are necessary to relieve eye strain. Sleep actually has great restorative powers for both health and the appearance. It relieves fatigue and helps to renew and refresh. When the eyes are closed, they are ‘washed’ with natural moisture. This is very necessary for the good health of the eyes. Anyone who spends long hours reading or working on a computer should take time off, periodically, to rest the eyes by closing them for a few minutes.

Eye fatigue can also be relived with washing. Splash the eyes with water and it feels good immediately. In fact, contrast washing is good for the eyes. Wash with warm water and follow this with cold water washing. This improves blood circulation to the eyes and soothes them. It also cleanses the eyes and relieves congestion.

Exercise for the eyes:

• Put your hands over the eyes, with the base of your palm resting over the cheeks and the fingers on the forehead. Your palms create hollows over the eyes. Look into the darkness for a minute. This is very relaxing.
• Press the base of your palms gently on the eyes. Release the pressure and repeat. Do this three to four times.
• Open the eyes wide and look at the four corners of the room. Close the eyes and repeat, going the other way.
• Do the same exercise by rolling the eyes in a circle. Repeat going the other way around.
• Hold a pencil in front of the face. Look at it. Slowly extend your arm, taking the pencil further and further away from the face, while you are still looking at it. Bring the pencil back slowly and repeat.
• Look out of the window as far as you can see. This itself is a very good exercise for the eyes.
• Take time off from your work and look at green plants and trees. Green is supposed to soothe the eyes.

Skin Care for the Eye Area:

The skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate and needs special care. It shows neglect and premature aging very easily. When you cleanse or wash the eyes, be very gentle, so that the skin does not stretched or pulled. Cleansing of the area around the eyes at night is very important. Using cotton wool and a cleansing gel, wipe the area around the eyes gently. Then wipe the skin with damp cotton wool. Apply an almond cream which is specially formulated for the region around the eyes. Avoid massaging the skin. Leave the cream on for about ten minutes and wipe it off gently with damp cotton wool. Never leave cream on the eyes all night. This can cause congestion and puffiness of the eyes.

Problem of Dark Under-eye Circles:

Dark circles around the eyes can also develop due to hereditary factors, lack of sleep, illness and nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, along with external treatment, it is advisable to take these aspects into consideration in order to establish the cause and bring about the necessary changes.

Dark Circles can develop at an early age, like adolescence and early twenties, although it is more common in older people. The way to prevent dark circles is to have a nutritious and balanced diet, including fresh fruits, salads, yogurt and sprouts in the daily diet, along with unprocessed cereals, skimmed milk, cottage cheese, lentils and beans. Some daily exercise, along with deep breathing, helps blood circulation, oxygenation and control of stress. Adequate sleep and relaxation are very important.

Daily care, using a light-textured almond cream actually helps to minimise dark circles. It not only nourishes the skin, but has a lightening effect on the colour tone, if used over a period of time. A light milky lotion has also been formulated by us for the treatment of the region around the eyes, along with a mask containing seaweed. The mask is highly specialized, with a light, watery consistency. The revitalization of the area around eyes has been done with such specialized seaweed masks, specially designed for the skin around the eyes, which is very delicate and prone to problems like wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. Heavy creams normal facial masks should not be applied around the eyes.

Puffy Eyes:

Puffy eyes, or under-eye bags, can be hereditary. If it’s a chronic problem, consult your doctor to ensure your kidneys and sinuses are functioning well. Of course, puffiness can also occur if you have not been getting enough sleep. Leaving cream around the eyes when you sleep can also result in puffy eyes.

Chronic under-eye bags are difficult to remove. For puffiness, you can try some simple home remedies. Apply a compress of iced water or cold milk directly over closed lids and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Sometimes, an eye wash of tepid water also helps. Mix rosewater and witch hazel in equal quantities. Soak cotton wool in it and let it rest on your under-eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. It’s a good idea to lie down and rest while you do this.

Grated potatoes or potato juice also helps. So do tea bags. Steep them in hot water, allow to cool and use them as eye pads.

Along with external care and a healthy lifestyle, take time off for relaxation, using eye pads. Take cotton wool and make two thick square pads. They can be soaked in cucumber juice or rose water. Lie down, close your eyes and put the soaked pads on them. Keep them on for about 15 minutes. Used tea bags can also be used as eye pads. Grated potato or potato juice or very thin raw potato slices can also be used over the eyes, like eye pads to reduce puffiness.

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