The Tamesis
Whether you’re permanently fatigued or just going through the natural process of aging, dark eye bags are a top skin concern for many people. There are many things you can do to combat puffiness, but one of the best and easiest is to use a good eye cream that contains peptides.
For those of you who have somehow escaped their imminent presence in all current beauty discourse, peptides are short-chain amino acids that have long been a staple in skin care to promote and maintain skin health. Fine lines, sagging skin, uneven texture – peptides can do it all a lot of. When it comes to under-eye bags, they can be the key to making you look brighter, lifted, and awake.
How peptides treat dark eye bags
“Peptide address [undereye bags] “At a base level, it stimulates collagen and elastin production, which improves firmness, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and supports the skin’s overall structure,” says Antony Nakhla, MD, double board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eventh Day. “Certain peptides can also help eliminate dark circles by improving microcirculation and reducing hemoglobin breakdown beneath the surface. Over time, you’ll achieve a more relaxed, refreshed appearance.”
Helen He, MD, chief of laser and cosmetic surgery and co-director of the Center for Healthy Skin Dermatology at Mount Sinai Clinic, agrees and breaks down the four main types of peptides used in our skin care products:
- Signal peptide: These will instruct the cells to produce more collagen and elastin.
- carrier peptide: They transport trace minerals such as copper and manganese into cells.
- Neurotransmitter inhibitory peptides: They can mimic the effects of neuromodulators like Botox.
- Enzyme inhibitor peptides: They block biological pathways involved in hyperpigmentation and collagen breakdown.
As with most ingredients, you will see results when you use them consistently in your skin care products. Dr. Ho says you’ll typically see improvements in texture and color around four weeks, while increased collagen production is a gradual process that can take at least three to six months before you start to notice a difference. One notable exception, she says, is hexapeptide, which is known to have Botox-like effects that are more immediate and long-lasting as long as the product is used.
shortcoming
Topical peptides are considered safe and tolerable for most people. But there are a few things to note. Dr. Ho says that because the dark circle area is so thin, it is more susceptible to irritation. So be careful as some formulas may cause contact dermatitis on sensitive skin. Additionally, if you’re dealing with a skin condition like eczema, she recommends spot testing any product before using it near your eyes.
Dr. Nakhla adds that peptides should not be considered a substitute for more targeted problems (significant volume loss, noticeable dimpling, or severe skin laxity) and that these problems may need to be addressed with more intense in-office treatments or surgery.
Eye peptide injections unregulated
While everyone seems to be injecting (and even snorting) peptides these days to treat just about everything, you may want to avoid any injectable peptide treatments targeting the eye area. Dr. He explained that the safety and effectiveness of injectable peptides are still limited overall. Since there are no standard regulations for peptide preparations and there is no FDA approval of these treatments, it is best to seek alternatives if you want treatment in the clinic.
