Lash and brow enhancements are a big draw to the salon and spa. However, the results achieved with both these services will not be nearly as effective if the skin between the lashes and brows is wrinkled, darkened by fatigue or drooping. The latest bioadvanced ingredients and professional treatments can address these concerns on the lid and around the eye contour area to help restore the skin in the area.
Here, we’ll review the unique histology of the skin in the eye area, as well as outline the most important ingredients and protocol for an eye mask that can be applied directly onto the eye lids for dramatic results. Clients will not believe their eyes!
Even during the pandemic, eye lift surgery was number two in the top 5 surgical procedures, second to nose reshaping. Research also found that home-isolation and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic caused increased use of digital devices, posing a greater risk of developing digital eye strain-related symptoms.
In fact, the false eyelashes market was valued at US$ 1,377.28 million in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 2,046.61 million by 2028.
From a histological perspective, the skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin on other parts of your body. The outer surface of the eyelid is covered by thin skin (epidermis) with eyelashes and sebaceous glands located at the end of the lid. The eyelid’s,(also known as the palpebra) main function is to protect the eye from mechanical damage and to help adjust the amount of incoming light. In addition, blinking the eyelid helps spread a liquid film of tears over the cornea.
The two major components forming the core of the eyelid are the orbicularis oculi muscle and the tarsal plate. The orbicularis oculi muscle enables facial expression. The tarsal plate consists of dense fibroelastic tissue in which additional glands are found that add secretions to the tear film. There are about 20 or such glands in each of the upper and lower eyelids and their sebaceous secretion (along with sebaceous glands associated with the eyelashes) contributes an important lipid component to the tear film that reduces surface tension and retards evaporation.
As we know, the area around the eye has special significance in human social interaction, since humans focus on the eye when talking to one another. With this focused attention, any cosmetic problem is highlighted. These problems include:
- The skin around the eye is thinnest, which has consequences both in the physical support as well as the optical transparency of underlaying structures.
- Lack of structural support, both in collagen as well as elastin. This issue increases with age.
- Dark under-eye circles. Sometimes caused by heredity, this darkening originates from seepage from the capillaries. The hemoglobin is converted by the body into bluish colored compounds, which are readily visible under thin skin.
- There can be a protrusion of intraorbital fat – a crescent shaped pad, who’s presence is frequently inherited. The fat can hold onto unusual amount of water also.
- Poor circulation can increase the appearance of the above problems.
- Constant expression, squinting from stress, environment and device usage can cause additional wrinkling.
- Environmental damage from UV light and irritation from pollution can cause additional detriment to the appearance of the eye area.
- Sagging skin caused by a loss of elasticity can also contribute to eye bags. Bags under the eyes are characterized by swelling or puffiness beneath your eyelids become more common with age since the supporting muscles around your eyes weaken.
Increase in stress is well-documented at this time. According to one recent study, nearly 7 in 10 employees indicated in a survey that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the most stressful time of their entire professional career, resulting in marked increases in new prescriptions for antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and anti-insomnia medications.
Research has found that stress caused by sleep deprivation increases signs of aging, such as fine lines, reduced elasticity, and uneven pigmentation. The loss of skin elasticity may also contribute to the formation of bags under your eyes.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE EYE AREA
For skin care, ingredients need to provide deep moisturization to help skin remain resilient, as well as contain anti-oxidants to help prevent signs of aging and stress.
Seaweed such as Laminaria Digitata is a source of many important nutrients, including 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids, 42 trace elements and minerals, and phlorotannins—the key elements skin needs for deep surface hydration and balance. It also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, enzymes and bioactive peptides. Essential fatty acids help maintain the skin’s barrier, and polysaccharides such as Alginic Acid, help to lock moisture into the skin.. Among marine resources, it is also one of the richest sources of phlorotannins, sulfated polysaccharides, fucosterol and fucoxanthins.
Applying eye pads that are pre-saturated with Seaweed extracts, as well as Green Tea and Cucumber extracts, is a key way to help address signs of fatigue as well as hydrate the eye area during facial and body treatments.
- Ulva Lactuca Extract: Also known as sea lettuce, this marine extract is high in vitamins and essential trace minerals that keep the skin looking healthy and soothed. Biopeptides of this seaweed are rich in proline, glycine and lysine, like elastin. Application of the products containing these marine biopeptides provides an immediately perceivable firming appearance.
- Peptides: These are compounds of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Peptides are particularly good for the eye area, including Dipeptide-2, a string of 2 amino acids that helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Tetrapeptide-7 which deeply moisturize the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Applying a firming, Peptide-rich eye cream and performing a gentle massage with a silver ball massager can help to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while it helps to soothe the delicate eye area and lessen the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
- Almond Protein Biopolymer: When used in a lifting eye cream, this advanced technology utilizes crosslinking, or biopolymerization of Almond Protein to create a three-dimensional network to help create an immediate lifted effect.
- Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): A natural moisturizing polysaccharide prevalently found in the skin that is known to hold 1000X its weight in water.
- Chrysin: A natural compound isolated from honeycomb that helps reduce the appearance of dark circles
- Gotu Kola Extract: Known to enhance skin quality and effectively provide moisture.
- Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract: Known to aid in circulation, in skin care, this extract is used for its nourishing and rejuvenating properties.
- Horsechestnut Seed Extract: Rich in Vitamin K, used to help reduce the appearance of puffiness.
- Shea Butter: This nourishes skin with vitamins and high levels of fatty acids, helping to promote moisturized, even skin.
- Squalane: Derived from plant sugar, squalane is known to be a very effective moisturizing agent with its benefits extending to help the reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, improving the appearance of skin elasticity, and enhancing the appearance of skin barrier integrity.
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder : This widely-used ingredient contains over 200 substances, including 20 minerals, 20 amino acids, 12 vitamins, and active enzymes. Used to soothe the skin and serve as an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Licorice Root Extract: Ingredient known for skin-brightening benefits and skin soothing attributes.
- Tocopheryl Acetate: A Vitamin E derivative, this ingredient is considered a high-powered antioxidant, as well as s superlative skin soother.
- Cucumber Extract : Known to have soothing and skin tightening properties.
- Chamomile Flower Extract : Used for its soothing effects, it has also shown to offer natural skin moisturizing benefits for skin.
- Willow Bark Extract: Extracted from the white willow tree (Salix Alba), this helps with mild exfoliation of skin to reveal a more youthful complexion while it provides skin conditioning benefits.
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: A superior stable form of Vitamin C, this ingredient is known to have potent antioxidant properties.
- Grape Seed Oil : A fine textured, linoleic-rich oil which has been shown to have strong antioxidant properties, Grapeseed Oil is also one of several plant emollients that mimic the lipid content of the skin, preventing moisture loss and promoting skin’s soft, smooth, healthy appearance.
- Retinyl Palmitate: This ingredient is a combination of retinol and palmitic acid, a form of Vitamin A. It is a potent antioxidant that also helps moisturize the skin.
- Glucose: A simple sugar, known to have water binding properties for proper skin hydration.
Take advantage of free education on professional treatments based on the latest advances in skincare and these important ingredients to help to combat the visible appearance of dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles. These treatments can be applied directly on the area of concern on the eye contour area, to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness and can be done prior to lash and brow services to help perfect the area before cosmetic application.
These ingredients and protocols can help create a more perfected skin appearance on the eye lid area to use alone for an uplifting, anti-fatigue treatment or as an upgrade to popular lash and brow services. Consider implementing these as upgrades to lash and brow services and watch your business grow.
