Spa clients know only too well the key areas that show their age: Hands that become crepe-y and spotted; necks and jawlines that yield to gravity; and perhaps most obvious, eye areas that droop, become littered with fine lines and develop under-eye bags large enough to pack for a vacation.

Well, some of this is unavoidable: With age comes collagen breakdown, the main cause of loss of elasticity. Experts also note that desquamation-the migration and renewal of epidermal (top layer) cells—slows from every two weeks in a young person to every 37 days in people over 50. And finally, eye area skin is 10 times thinner than other facial skin, making it more vulnerable to simple behaviors like blinking, smiling and squinting. The good news is, lifestyle choices and behaviors also play a big role in how much—and how rapidly—the eye area ages. Want to help your clients to ward off unsightly signs? Share this roundup of advice from dermatologists:

Don't smoke. Exposure to cigarette smoke dries and discolors eye area skin.

Drink plenty of water. Eye area tissue has few oil glands and already lacks moisture needed to keep wrinkles at bay.

Watch out for salty food, which can cause water retention, resulting in puffy eyes.

Limit intake of alcohol, another hydration stealer.

Avoid topical products that contain irritating compounds. Pay attention to how the skin responds after application.

Handle eye area skin gently, whether rubbing an itch or removing a contact lens.

Limit sun exposure; UV rays cause cells to mature abnormally.

Wear sunglasses, and make sure they block out both UVA and UVB rays.

Get plenty of rest. Use professional quality eye care products.

DAYSPAMAG.com

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