Dark Circles under The eyes

You can handle the problem in different ways as desired but also depending on what it depends on. Here are nine different tips on how to deal with the problem.

1. Lifestyle

Lack of sleep is common today and in many cases a cause of dark circles under the eyes. More rest actually helps.

But then it can be about medical problems such as. allergies, metabolic problems (thyroid) that may need medical treatment.

In some cases, dark circles under the eyes are genetically determined within the family or even ethnic as certain skin types are more likely to have problems. For them, sun protection is especially important as the sun's radiation often triggers pigments and aggravates these discolorations.

Smoking affects blood flow and sleep which is not good. Alcohol can also contribute to the problem as it sucks water out of the tissues and you can become more hollow-eyed.

2. Antihistamine

There are those who get dark circles under the eyes from allergies, for example to food that they are unaware of. You can try, for example, an antihistamine such as Zyrlex 10 mg at night and then wake up and look fit and fresh under the eyes.

3. Concealer

With  good make-up  , you can get far where you either cover or think of opposite color combinations such as orange counteracting blue, black and gray. If the concealer works without major worries, it is the simplest treatment.

4. Good cream / skin care

Cream with Caffeine constricts blood vessels and preferably in combination with vitamin C and can work wonders with some dark circles under the eyes. Creams such as  Hydrafirm  that we have via  ZO skin care,  stimulate collagen which gives a thicker healthier skin with fewer wrinkles, creams with  Retinol  are very good in the same way but can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. It is important to use good  sun protection  SPF 50.

5. Filler injection

Not infrequently, the dark circles are due to too thin skin or that the fat / muscle layer has thinned out. You then get cavities where there is no tissue under the skin. We use fillers such as  Restylane  to counteract the thinness and sagging of the skin. The nice thing about this treatment is that it also gives immediate results. It is important which material you choose. The cost for 1 ml filler is usually about $400. If it is cheaper, it is often because there is doubtful quality of the filler material or the one who gives it.

6. Thermage

The use of energy in the form of heat with eg  Radio Frequency  (RF) to the underlying tissue counteracts sagging, loose and wrinkled skin through collagen stimulation that improves skin structure.

7. Microneedling (Dermapen) with or without PRP

With needles ( Dermapen ), collagen formation is stimulated in the skin.

PRP  (taken from your own blood) adds growth factors that further promote healing and provide healthier skin.

This may not be the most effective method against dark circles under the eyes but it provides a general improvement of the skin in the area. These treatments should be repeated every month 3-5 times. The advantage of this method is that it is a physical stimulus and limited trauma so there is a short recovery after treatment.

8. Fraxel laser (CO2)

The use of  CO2 lasers  means treating sun-damaged skin, fine wrinkles and uneven skin structure in the most effective way possible. The controlled damage caused by the laser provides an enormous stimulus to the body's natural healing mechanisms and provides a gradual improvement of skin structure and skin tone. You see a "thawing" of the skin already after a few weeks and then get an improvement that gradually lasts for several months. Again, it is good to repeat the treatment 3 times at one month intervals. Here you can count on up to a week of recovery after treatment, but then you get on the other hand very good results.

9. Surgery eyelid surgery

Eyelid surgery is an operation that is performed under local anesthesia and which gives very good results in cases where it has been agreed that it is appropriate.

For the upper eyelids, it is a matter of removing the right amount of skin, muscle and fat and then sewing it together nicely.

For the lower eyelids, we usually take fat that is in excess under the eye and shift it (transpose) to the tear duct to counteract dark circles and sagging in the area. In both cases, you get scars that are usually invisible after a period of healing.

Sun protection - How to choose the right protection for your skin type?

Choosing a sunscreen product based on your skin type can be as difficult as finding the right skin care. But in the same way that it is possible to choose a cleanser or face cream according to your skin type, you can tailor your choice of sunscreen. We guide you below about the differences between different sunscreens and how to choose the right one based on your skin type.

Physical and chemical filters

First and foremost, sunscreens are usually divided into categories according to which UV filter they contain. These are called physical and chemical sun filters. In many sunscreens, it is also common to have a combination of these two as they work in different ways to protect and repel the dangerous UV rays.

Physical filters, with the help of small particles, reflect away the sun's rays that meet your skin. One can imagine a mirror on which the rays bounce. Physical UV filters contain, for example, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and generally suit sensitive skin. Chemical UV filters instead capture and convert the rays into a less harmful form. There is a chemical reaction and it is absorbed immediately. Be sure to apply the chemical sunscreen 20-30 minutes before exposure.

Sunscreen for your skin type Sunscreen

with a physical sunscreen is usually recommended for people with sensitive skin, if you suffer from impurities, pigmentation or acne. Physical sun products are also recommended for children. The chemical sun filter is instead recommended for most skin types, but especially for people with oily and impure skin as these are usually perceived more easily in consistency. However, the development of filters has meant that there are now lighter physical filters to suit more skin types and also oily skin, and chemical filters that also suit sensitive skin. Below we have listed a sunscreen for each skin type.

We recommend:

Normal skin: Clarins Dry Touch Sun Care Cream Spf 50+ Face

A light sunscreen with antioxidants with high sun protection that suits normal skin. The sunscreen has a combination of physical and chemical sunscreen for optimal protection. Gives a matte finish!

Sensitive skin: Evy Technology Sunscreen Mousse SPF 50

This sunscreen is in a lovely mousse that suits everyone but especially those with sensitive skin. The sunscreen protects the skin against UVA and UVB and also heat, wind and water. Evy's sunscreen is fragrance-free and the formula is waterproof and smudge-free.

Dry skin: Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Nourishing Antiaging Oil 50+

This sunscreen protects the skin against UVA and UVA as well as IR and HEV. It is a combined physical, chemical and biological sun protection. The sunscreen melts nicely into the skin and becomes an oil when it is massaged into the skin.

Oily skin: SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte SPF30

Sunscreen for you with an oily skin type that does not clog pores and that protects against UVA and UVB. The sunscreen leaves a matte finish and a smoother skin tone. This sun protection is based on 100% mineral UV filters and is thus a physical protection.

Combined skin: Heliocare 360 ° Gel oil free SPF 50

A thin, oil-free sunscreen that suits a combination or oily skin. The sunscreen leaves a matte finish without a white film. This sunscreen is combined physically and chemically, protects against UVA and UVB as well as HEV and IR. Fits well during makeup or as a final step in your morning routine.

Pigmented skin: Dr. Dennis Gross Dark Spot Sun Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen

A physical sunscreen with a wide protection against UVA and UVB. Despite its high protection, the sunscreen has a light texture that quickly penetrates the skin and keeps it matte. It also contains a powerful antioxidant that counteracts pigmentation and other dark spots.

Impure skin: Priori TETRA fx250 Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Universal

This sunscreen is a multifunctional broad-spectrum mineral-based protection that protects against the sun on four different levels. The sunscreen adapts to the needs of your skin and does not give rise to impurities. It does not clog and allows your skin to breathe all day.

Myths About Acne, True Or False?

Blackheads are the precursor to acne. No blackheads - no pimples!

A successful treatment for acne (also called acne or pimples) focuses on getting rid of blackheads.

How is a blackhead formed?

The sebaceous gland produces the body's own emollient, sebum, after stimulation of the sex hormone testosterone. The sebum passes through a canal and out through an opening on the skin surface. In patients with acne, sebum production is higher than in others, and opening on the skin surface is smaller than in others. This combination of high sebum production and narrow opening leads to sebum clogging
- a blackhead is formed!

Where do you have acne?

Face, chest and back are typical areas of the body where acne occurs. Less well known is that it also occurs in the scalp. Another disease called acne inversa or hidradenitis suppurativa is localized as abscesses in the armpits, groin, abdomen, and buttocks. Acne inverse is similar to acne but should be treated in a completely different way.

Why take antibiotics for acne?

To answer the question, we must understand how a blackhead becomes a pimple. Our skin is home to a myriad of bacteria that are part of an ecosystem and interact with our skin suit. Blackheads upset this ecosystem - the normal skin flora multiplies rapidly in the blackheads that contain "food" in abundance for the bacteria. The bacteria multiply uninhibited. Finally, the body's immune system reacts to bacterial growth - white blood cells arrive and fight the bacteria. Every now and then what we call inflammation is created - it turns red and yellow where it is formed - and the pimple is a fact!
In this situation, antibiotics are a welcome treatment - locally such as Acnatac, or as capsules in the form of Tetralysal.

How to get rid of blackheads?

Some creams for acne such as Differin or Skinoren can widen the pore opening so that the sebum comes out on the skin surface. Isotretinoin (also called Roacutan) is a medicine that is taken as capsules and contains vitamin A acid which causes the sebaceous gland to shrink and at the same time opens up the pore opening. Isotretinoin causes acne to heal in the majority of patients with acne. The free testosterone that stimulates the sebaceous gland can be reduced in women with combined birth control pills that contain the sex hormone estrogen. Yasmin or Diane are birth control pills that have a good effect on acne by reducing sebum production.

Symptomatic treatment

When we have a cold, we sometimes take Alvedon to feel good until we are healthy by ourselves. Acne is a skin disease that has a beginning and an end. To feel good without cosmetically disturbing pimples, or the development of scars, symptomatic treatment with birth control pills, Differin / Skinoren and antibiotics such as Acnatac / Tetralysal can be given. You do not get well but you feel good! The treatment must be given until you recover by yourself, which can mean several years.

Curative treatment

Capsules with Isotretinoin make 9 out of 10 healthy after a treatment that lasts about 6 months. Of those who recover, 20% have a recurrence of acne and need further treatment to recover.

Can I do something myself to reduce acne?

Let go of the skin. Do not touch - remove fingers from face.

Do not lubricate with creams. Acne in 25-year-olds and older, is about 4 times as common in women compared to men. At the same time, we know that currently 95% of all face creams are used such as moisturizers, day and night creams by women. It is enough with the skin's moisturizer - sebum - which is abundant in those who have acne.

For some, acne gets better with less sugar and milk.

Anabolic steroids can cause a pronounced acne.

Mini-pills, cortisone, lithium, treatment with vitamin B12, epilepsy medication are examples of medications that can cause acne.

Sunscreen during holidays can activate acne and is called "Mallorca acne".

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in 5-10% of women of childbearing age, with symptoms such as irregular menstruation, acne, unwanted hair growth, difficulty ovulating and thus difficulty getting pregnant. Many people suffer from obesity. The condition can be set and treated during a visit to a gynecologist.

Can scars be treated?

Scars are difficult to treat and should not be treated until the acne has healed. Thick scars, called keloids, can sometimes be flattened by cortisone injections into the scars. Sanding, also called dermabrasion, can also improve cosmetics. Submerged scars, can be symptomatically treated with expanders such as hyaluronic acid.

Myths About Acne, True Or False?

"Acne is due to exhaust fumes clogging my pores"
[FALSE!] The blacks you see in blackheads are oxidized fatty acids. It does not matter for the blackheads if you walk on Hornsgatan or in the forest.

"If I eat a gluten-free diet, acne decreases"
[FALSE!] There is no scientific evidence that gluten has an effect on the skin. However, an extremely carbohydrate-rich diet can increase insulin secretion and secondary to more sebum production.

"Smoking worsens acne"
[TRUE!] Acne is more common in people who smoke.

"Acne is a sign of impure skin, so the most important thing is that I clean it properly"
[FALSE!] Unless you need to wash off makeup, there is no need to wash your face. On the contrary, there is scientific evidence that irritation of the skin with washing and masks increases acne.

"If you have acne, it is good to change pillowcases often and to have a separate towel for your face"
[FALSE!] The bacteria found in the sebaceous glands can not infect yourself or others. It can also not be washed off.

"Acne is due to my skin being dry and compensatingly producing more sebum."
[FALSE!] Acne is due to increased sebum production and you do not need a moisturizer on your face. You have enough of your own moisture!

"Pizza, chocolate and french fries do not affect acne"
[TRUE!] There is no scientific support for fatty foods or chocolate itself giving more pimples.

"It's good for acne to drink a lot of water"
[FALSE!] It is great to drink water if you are thirsty. However, it does not affect your acne.

How to Treat Adult problem skin

Do you still use the same products for blemishes as when you were a teenager? They probably do not work as well as before. This is because there is a big difference between the acne you get as a teenager and the one you get as an adult.

Adolescent pimples depend partly on genetic factors and partly on hormones. There is a clear
connection with the increased sebum production that occurs in connection with puberty. In
adolescence, the pimples often sit all over the face, even on the neck and neck and
at the top of the torso. In most people, the pimples eventually heal, but it can
be a cumbersome and lengthy process.

Pimples and blemishes in adults, on the other hand, tend to be more isolated, sit
deeper, be more sore and are recurring during certain periods. The cause is
usually stress and hormone changes - but there are more factors that can
be decisive. The fins sit mainly around the mouth, chin and along the jaw line.
As cell turnover slows down with increasing age, it takes longer
for the skin to heal. One of the most characteristic side effects of
healing is that the redness that occurs during the inflammation itself is transformed into a persistent and often deep-seated pigmentation.

treatment tips

The most important thing is to tackle the problem from several angles. Look out for multifunctional products that
contain problem-solving ingredients:

• Salicylic acid: removes dead skin cells and dissolves sebum clots.
• Niacinamide: counteracts pigment spots and regulates sebum.
• Retinol: stimulates cell renewal, inhibits pigmentation and improves structure.
• Thymol and Terpeniol: botanical extracts from thyme and pine that balance the microflora on the skin and effectively counteract acne bacteria from gaining a foothold.

good skin care routines

Whether you are young or more experienced, daily skin care routines are a great help in balancing and managing problem skin.

• thorough cleaning routine with skin-friendly cleaning
• regular exfoliation to counteract the buildup of skin cells and sebum
• use of point treatment serum
• finally moisturizing emollient .

Here you can read more about Active Clearing, which is Dermalogica's product series for
balancing problem skin. Contact a professional dermatologist to find out what products are
optimal for your skin.

in addition, here are some additional tips:

• If you use makeup: use skin care makeup with non-clogging, ingredients.
• Clean makeup brushes regularly and change pillowcases a couple of times a week to reduce the risk of acne bacteria thriving and gaining a foothold.
• Avoid ingredients that can cause clogging of the pores: lanolin (wool grease), isopropyl myristate (commonly used in cosmetics), mineral oil (can prevent skin cells from being rejected) and perfumes (can trigger inflammation).
• Avoid drying soaps, for hot water and do not use barley peels. Any form of dehydration of the skin surface can lead to the skin starting to produce more sebum (fat). Then you get more blackheads.
• Finally: because pimples often flare up during periods of stress, try to reduce your everyday stress. Also, make sure you get proper sleep, eat a balanced diet, drink more water, exercise and avoid smoking. With these measures, you are well on your way to a healthier skin.

Can you cure acne? - we present the treatments

Can You Get Cured From Acne? What is the most effective treatment for acne? Do the stores' ointments work?

Acne is one of those skin diseases that it can sometimes feel impossible to avoid. In reality, there are a lot of ways to significantly improve and even get rid of acne.

Can You Get Cured From Acne?

One would think that medicine has found a solution to the western world's probably most common skin disease. Still, you often hear how the acne came back after that one cure and how the ointment just dried out the skin.

- There are few skin diseases that have as effective care methods as acne. But there are always people who are not cured, also by acne, and they are the ones you hear about the most.

The people who avoid their acne do not have the same need to share, quite simply. Those who get rid of acne, it is often with the help of a powerful drug called isotretinoin.

- About 15 percent are not cured by isotretinoin. If you turn the cake, 6 out of 7 will be cured and there are lots.

But what does cured really mean? Are you cured if you have half as many pimples? Or should the acne disappear without a trace?

- Cured means that you no longer have such acne that is a problem for yourself. You can get occasional pimples like anyone. Basically, it means that the acne you had before the medication ceases.

Acne treatments can be divided into two groups: oral medications, such as those taken by mouth, and topical medications such as creams and gels. We start with the oral medications.

Medications by mouth

Isotretinoin

As we already mentioned, isotretinoin is a particularly powerful and effective drug. It also means that the medicine has a long list of possible side effects. Dry skin and mucous membranes are one of the most common.

Some patients have also reported depression and even suicidal thoughts and attempts. This side effect is still disputed. Many specialists believe that it is the acne itself that causes the mental problems. Research has also confirmed that acne has a major impact on mental health .

The medicine can also cause birth defects. Therefore, female patients must commit to using a safe contraceptive during the course of the course and one month afterwards.

An isotretinoin treatment is usually 5-6 months during which the sun's UV radiation should be avoided. Regular blood tests are also taken along the course to check that the liver can handle the medicine.

To get the medicine, you must always go to a specialist dermatologist's clinic. Although the cure is effective, it is often a last resort for many patients due to the side effects.

- Patients are probably usually very satisfied with the isotretinoin treatment. Only a small minority do not get good results from the cure. Then, of course, you have to think about different alternatives.

One of these alternatives is to repeat the course, if the course otherwise felt good.

antibiotics

Another way to deal with acne is with antibiotics. In such cases, the antibiotic group tetracyclines is most often used. The advantages of the cure are that it gives a fairly quick response and does not dry out the skin.

The biggest disadvantage is that the cure only helps temporarily. It can also upset the bacterial flora in the stomach, which can cause stomach upsets and fungal infections.

- Tetracyclines are very elegant because it is a fairly cheap medicine. They require no medical examination, no blood tests, and are usually quite well tolerated. The biggest problem with antibiotic regimens is that they help while using the medicine and maybe a few months after that.

The treatment is usually 2-3 months and, like isotretinoin, makes the skin more sensitive to the sun.

Despite the disadvantages, there are still patients who are satisfied with the results of the tetracycline regimen. It depends from person to person what pays off.

- If the patient's acne is not as severe as it has been a few years ago and is going away, a course of antibiotics can calm down the acne. If you combine the treatment with a local medicine to prevent the acne from returning, the patient can already be satisfied with the result.

Antibiotic regimens should always be combined with local medicines.

- Antibiotics probably have their place. For example, if you have a young patient with severe acne, you must always tell the patient that the treatment only gives a short-term effect to avoid unrealistic expectations.

Pill

Some birth control pills have been shown to be particularly effective against hormonal acne. They work by counteracting the excesses of the male sex hormones in the body which are often the cause behind acne. In Finland, such pills are sold under the names Diane nova, Cypretyl and Vreya. These pills also come with both pros and cons.

- They are quite cheap, they do not dry out the skin, you do not burn more easily in the sun and you do not need to take blood samples as with isotretinoin. They also have the advantage that it is possible to eat them for several years if you want, unlike for example a course of antibiotics.

Among the disadvantages, the most obvious is that birth control pills are meant only for women. It also takes a little longer to notice any difference.

- The effect starts a little slower than with antibiotics. You sometimes have to wait up to three months before you see the effect of the contraceptive pill.

Birth control pills have been a fairly controversial topic both in the treatment of acne and in general. Some have noticed that they get acne after stopping taking birth control pills, while others fear dangerous side effects such as blood clots.

- It is quite common to hear such things. "Then when you stop using birth control pills, you get acne,"

And that's actually true in some cases.

local Medications

Acne can also be treated with topical medications, ie gels and creams specially developed for the treatment of acne skin. In today's situation, many of these work really well. In addition, new preparations, so-called combination gels, are constantly being developed. They contain several different active substances and are therefore more effective than their representatives.

- The most relevant substances are retinoid, a vitamin A-related substance, antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide - a dehydrating and antiseptic medicine.

For example, these substances are combined in local acne medications. While one product contains benzoyl peroxide and retinoid, another consists of antibiotics and retinoid. Together with the dermatologist, you arrive at the best combination for your own skin.

- The medicines have a slightly different effect depending on the skin type. For example, for Scandinavian skin type, benzoyl peroxide can be quite dehydrating, while darker skin types tolerate it better.

However, it is not always so practical or cheap to use local medicine. If you have acne on the back, for example, or on several body parts, it can be difficult and expensive to lubricate yourself. In addition, benzoyl peroxide bleaches textiles.

-If the patient has acne on his back, I do not usually prescribe benzoyl peroxide. With acne on several body parts, I would probably consider an internal medicine.

Different treatments for different situations
When choosing acne treatment, whether it is pills or ointments, it is not possible to pull all patients under the same comb. There are many factors that need to be considered.

- It is completely individual on the basis of the patient's situation. You choose one of these treatments or a certain combination to achieve a good result.

Many people, for example, have obstacles to eating birth control pills.

- Then they are not an option. You may also not be able to use antibiotics.

Which treatment you choose also depends a lot on how the patient himself experiences his acne and whether the local treatment would give the desired effect. How a person experiences their acne is not related to how mild or severe the person's acne really is.

You could still say that in mild acne you usually start with some local treatment.

- If you have mild and superficial acne, I would advocate starting with some local medicine and see how far you get with it.

But you do not have to start with a local medicine.

- Especially if the acne is severe, deep or scarring, you can start with internal medicine immediately.

The stores' acne products

Ordinary department stores also have a lot of skin care products that are marketed for oily and acne-prone skin. It pays to have realistic expectations with these.

- They are quite gentle. For oily skin, there are absolutely great products that make the skin not glow.

- If, on the other hand, you have inflamed pimples, there is quite a bit that these products can do.

If you want to buy a non-prescription product, would recommend something that contains benzoyl peroxide, which can be found at the pharmacy.

- It is the most effective local medicine that is not prescription-only.

Tips for everyday life

There is a lot you can do, and not do, to treat your acne at home.

- I think that many people take care of their acne so that the skin becomes completely powder dry,

Then the skin can blush and it just looks worse. It pays to be careful and use mild products when taking care of your skin.

- If you want to moisturize the skin, the pharmacy's acne products are completely good enough.

- You should not squeeze the pimples because it only makes things worse. Then they can turn red and scars can form.

If the acne is bothersome, it is still always recommended to consult a dermatologist.