Aging is relative — a sliding scale that affects us each individually and personally. Gravity may coax parts of us towards Argentina, but many of us still feel as perky and vigorous as we did in our youth. With so many ways to improve our appearance or “cheat the system,” it’s getting harder to guess the age of a stranger these days.
If you really want to know, look into their eyes. Not just “into” but all around, above and underneath. The eyes are the most telling feature of age on the body. They speak volumes about how well we’ve lived, how good we feel and how old we really are. They’re called “windows to the soul” for a reason.
The fatty pads on the upper eyelids are prone to the “southward movement” and when they start to drop, the face is altered noticeably. The natural sparkle or gleam of the eyes fades as the body tries to keep up with the daily demands of renewal. The whites of the eye, or sclera, are mostly connective tissue and dependant on healthy neurological and cardiovascular systems to keep them clear and bright white like those of a child.
The skin around your eyes is only about 20 micrometers thick and more sensitive than the thicker skin in other areas of your body like the feet and hands. Thinner skin is less resistant to irritants that penetrate the epidermis and affect the underlying areas causing redness or puffiness. Blood vessels showing through, or slow blood flow can cause the appearance of dark under-eye circles. The buildup of lymph translates into “puffy” eyes. This is why after a night of too much sleep you might wake up to a face that looks puffy rather than rested.
Lines and wrinkles also appear more readily in thin delicate skin, and can be caused from the emotion you feel on the inside. Crows feet, furrows in the brow, droopiness and lifeless eyes are enhanced by various types of excess emotion. The upper eyelids lower with extended periods of anger and sadness. Add it all up and, yes; there can be a lifetime of stories in your eyes.
The good news: Your face has a muscular structure under the skin. Lift your eyebrows, wiggle your ears, blow a kiss and you'll feel it. The more toned these muscles are, the less prone to sagging your face and eye area will be and the more likely you will remain your distinctive recognizable self.
The thin muscles around the eyes run in a circle. They are delicate and should be treated gently. Never rub your eyes or pull the skin around them. When touching the under eye area to apply cream or lotion, always move from the outside corner toward the nose. This supports the direction of the muscle and won’t cause unnecessary sagging. Use your ring finger, as it is your weakest finger and therefore will be more gentle when applying or removing make up.
Avoid “tired lifeless” eyes by fueling your body with foods high in nutrients and water content. Eat a variety of produce, as fresh from the harvest as possible. Bring the “life force” or “energy” from a freshly picked fruit or vegetable into your body and you’ll feel it in your energy level — and your energy level shows in your eyes.
I hope yours are sparkling and clear.
Loa Blasucci is the author of the award winning book, "All Health's Breaking Loose: The Handbook." For questions or comments reach her at gotoloa.com.