Why do I wake up with puffy eyes in the morning?
During the night, lying down, fluid tends to build up in the eyelids, and the skin is so thin that it shows. Salt at dinner, allergies, lack of sleep, crying and alcohol increase the effect, and many people find it improves after an hour or two. If the swelling persists, hurts, is on one side only or comes back often, it is advisable to talk to a doctor before putting it down to tiredness.
What is the difference between dark circles, eye bags and puffiness?
Dark circles are colour: a darkened area under the eye. An eye bag is volume that stays all day, usually from fat that moves forward with age or heredity. Puffiness is fluid in the eyelids, which tends to vary through the day. All three can exist at the same time, which is why two identical “tired looks” can have different paths. The doctor tells them apart on examination.
Purple or brown dark circles: what is the difference?
Purplish or bluish dark circles are generally related to thin skin, which lets the vessels show through, and to puffiness. Brownish ones are more related to pigment in the skin itself, from heredity, repeated inflammation or sun. In practice, many people have a mix of the two, and there is also the shadow of a hollow. That is why it is hard to guess on your own. The assessment helps to understand what weighs most.
Are dark circles hereditary?
Often, yes. Skin colour, the depth of the eye socket and how easily the blood vessels show run in families, and some people have had dark circles since childhood. Having parents with dark circles does not mean you will certainly have them, nor that nothing can be done, but it helps to have realistic expectations. If you have always had them, there is probably an anatomical component that no cream will change.
Why do I look tired even when I sleep well?
Because the look of the eyes does not depend on sleep alone. Anatomy, thin skin, allergies, sun and age all contribute, and shadows, eye bags or fine lines can exist in someone who sleeps eight hours. In the laboratory, sleep deprivation does leave signs on the face, but the opposite cannot be concluded. If the tiredness is real and constant, it is worth talking to your doctor.
Why do fine lines appear around the eyes?
The skin around the eyes is thin and moves thousands of times a day, when smiling, squinting or blinking. With the years it loses elasticity and the marks no longer disappear at rest. The sun speeds up this process and dry skin accentuates the appearance. Smile lines are part of expression and many people do not want to remove them, only soften them, and that is a decision for you and the doctor.
Do eye contour creams work?
They can hydrate and give comfort, which makes fine lines less evident, and some products have a temporary decongesting effect. They do not remove the fat of an eye bag or change a shadow that is anatomical, and advertising promises do not always have studies behind them. The choice depends on what you want to treat and how your skin reacts. If you have allergies or the area is sensitive, ask for guidance before buying.
What is Ritual Contorno Ocular?
It is an in-clinic ritual, with professional mesoestetic® active ingredients and manual technique, designed for the eye contour. According to the clinic's description, it cares for this area, softening fine lines, puffiness and lack of firmness. It is not a surgical procedure and does not remove fat. The concrete steps and the continuation at home, when there is one, are explained at the assessment, after the doctor has observed your eyes.
Is it possible to treat eye bags without surgery?
It depends on what the eye bag is. If it is mainly puffiness or skin that has lost firmness, a ritual can help soften the appearance. If it is a pad of fat that has moved forward, the response of a skin ritual is limited, and the options for volume are medical or surgical procedures that are discussed in other consultations. The doctor tells you frankly which group you are in and avoids creating expectations that cannot be met.
How long does it take and how many sessions are needed?
There is no one number for everyone. It depends on what the doctor observes, on the ritual chosen and on what you want to achieve, and it is defined at the assessment, with no obligation. Some effects, such as comfort and hydration, may be noticed from the first session, and others are gradual. Results vary from person to person, and the doctor explains, before starting, what is realistic and how it is measured.
Is the ritual safe around the eyes?
The area is delicate and requires care: products must not get into the eye, and the doctor first assesses the skin and the eye. As with any treatment, there may be redness, a stinging sensation or a reaction to an ingredient, which depends on each person and which the team explains beforehand. The ritual is not done with infection, allergy or active inflammation. Always say if you wear lenses or if your skin reacts easily.
When should I see a doctor first?
Before any ritual, when the swelling lasts more than two days, hurts, is red, is on one side only or comes back often, when there is intense itching or flaking, dry eyes, or when the dark circle is very marked on one side only or changes. Sudden loss of vision, double vision or a red eye with pain are emergencies: call 112 or SNS 24 (808 24 24 24). If in doubt, ask the doctor.
Can I have the ritual if I wear contact lenses or have allergies?
It may be possible, but it has to be mentioned at the assessment. If you wear lenses you may need to take them out beforehand and wait for a while, and allergies, especially to cosmetics and ingredients, change the choice of ritual. Dry eye, conjunctivitis or active inflammation of the eyelids are reasons to wait. The doctor decides what is safe in your case and explains the care to take afterwards.
What should I bring to the assessment in Algés?
Bring the list of products you use around the eyes, including make-up, the allergies you know of, your medication and recent treatments. If you have photographs from when your eyes looked different, they help. Say since when the problem has been there, whether it is the same on both sides and whether there are cases in the family. Clínica Luxmed is in Algés, Oeiras, and the assessment is with Dr Michelle Campagnoli.
