Q. I have dark circles under my eyes. Is there any way naturally to get rid of these annoying discolorations?

A. Of course. The first step would be to determine what is causing the problem. This will entail ensuring that your diet is in good shape and that you are not ingesting foods that create an allergic reaction in your body. The next step is to ensure your hormones are well balanced. If your adrenal glands are out of whack and not producing hormones properly, if you’re not getting enough sleep and eating poorly, if you’re allergic to what you are ingesting, well then, those areas should be worked on to get corrected. Now, if you’ve done everything and still have those nasty discolorations - then your next course of action is choosing one of the next three options: 1. Make-up concealers 2. Vitamin K cream 3. Laser surgical procedures

Q. What causes these unsightly circles?

A. There are two major causes of dark circles under eyes. The first is pigmentation and the second is broken or fragile capillaries. Pigmentation is a surface condition where the skin is discolored due to a hereditary condition, sun damage, inadequate diet/nutrients/sleep, the pill or pregnancy (hormones!). Fragile or broken capillaries can leak small amounts of blood into the under eye area and dark color shows through. Stress, unhealthy eating, vitamin/mineral deficiencies and smoking can make them worse. As you age, the circles can darken (your estrogen levels will drop) and the force of gravity will also make the circles look larger.

Q. How long does it take to get results if I use this cream?

A. My experience with most clients is that they don’t use something long enough to get the results they’re looking for, getting healthy and handling ‘beauty’ problems like these take some time. Plan on 6 to 8 weeks before you judge the products you are on and make sure you follow directions! If you skip ‘here and there’ you simply won’t get the results as fast as you want and then you’ll give up.

Q. What do doctors think of this method of removing dark circles?

A. Interestingly enough, even the medical profession has now realized that vitamins have so many uses and are good for us! Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting and studies have shown it to maintain strong bones in the elderly. However, dermatologists have recently found vitamin K to be successful for the treatment for dark circles under the eyes and bruising on the face.

Dark circles may be hereditary for some people or simply a part of the aging process, but most people would agree that they are a struggle to conceal. When the fat pad beneath the eye begins to thin with age, it can create a sunken look to the under eye area. Studies have shown that sluggishness of blood flow underneath the eyes may also contribute to dark circles. Vitamin K has been found to diminish the appearance of these dark circles. A recent study published in “Cosmetic and Toiletries”, included two groups, one that applied an under eye cream containing sunscreen and another that applied an under eye cream containing a combination of vitamin K and retinol. An examination of the under eye color at the beginning of the study and at the end found a significant lightening in the group using the vitamin K and retinol combination.

“Whether dark circles under the eyes are a result of aging, genetics or sun damage, vitamin K has been shown to reduce the puffiness and discoloration associated with this oftentimes troubling problem,” said Dr. Baumann speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting . “If patients feel that concealers for the under eye area are no longer covering their circles, they should look for under eye skin treatments that contain vitamin K or a combination of vitamin K plus retinol which has been shown to boost collagen production in the skin.”

Vitamin K has also recently been studied for its effects on reducing bruising following certain dermatologic procedures. In a recent study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, patients underwent laser treatments to lessen the appearance of spider veins on the face. Since the laser treatment may cause bruising, half the patients applied topical vitamin K to half their faces for two weeks before laser treatment and a placebo cream to the other half of their face. The remaining patients applied the vitamin K to one half of the face and the placebo to the other half, after treatment. While the application of topical vitamin K before the procedure did not seem to affect the severity of bruising, those patients who applied the vitamin K after the procedure noticed a significant reduction in the severity of bruising.

“Topical vitamin K can profoundly reduce the amount of time some patients heal,” said Dr. Baumann. “This is especially important for those who are uncomfortable with the often short-term bruising that can be visible following laser treatments.”

Q. Ok, so I get it, vitamin K cream is good for this condition, but what makes your’s so darn special?

A. Our formulation has been extensively tested, is all natural, and includes a blend of very special natural substances that have shown proven results!

Vitamin K Creme - 5%

Gets rid of: Varicose Veins, Spider Veins, Rosacea, Bruising, Stretch Marks, Scarring, Dark Circles Under the Eyes, Crows Feet, Cellulite

Vitamin K formulas were once available only through dermatologist and plastic surgeons. This professional strength 5% Vitamin K1 USP (Phytonadione) is a synergistic formula combined with Horse Chestnut Extract, Vitamin C Esters, DMAE, Olive Leaf Extracts, High Potency Vitamin E, Retinol and is in a liposome carrier system for maximum benefits.

3% HORSE CHESTNUT EXTRACT (90% Escin): An extract from the seeds of the Horse Chestnut tree and standardized to a minimum of 90% escin. Escin is a mixture of saponins that are known to help maintain healthy blood circulation, strengthening the capillaries and veins. Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical formulations of escin, have been performed in thirteen clinical studies in Europe. One clinical study evaluated the effects of an escin topical formulation on cellulite of the thighs and breast, concluding that it improved skin tissue microcirculation, increased blood flow at the capillary level and decrease edema and stasis. A topical formulation with a 3% Horse Chestnut Extract (90% Escin), a 2% Beta-sitosterol and a 2% Phosphatidylcholin, was found to be the most effective.

1.5% DMAE: 1.5% DMAE has an incredible firming affect on the skin. With age, the natural production of acetylcholine diminishes leaving muscles sagging, resulting in wrinkled skin. Reverse the process by increasing levels of acetylcholine with DMAE. Increased levels of acetylcholine produce stronger muscles and firmer skin. It works with in minutes and continues to firm the skin long term. DMAE is an all-natural nutritional supplement.

1.3% Olive Leaf Extract: Two extracts from the leaves of the olive tree. 1% Arjunolic Acid, standardized to 80%, is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. 0.3% Oleanolic Acid, standardized to 80%, is a skin conditioning agent that supports texture and integrity of the skin.

5% VITAMIN C ESTERS: Vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, stimulates collagen production helping to minimize wrinkles. It is water-soluble, very acidic, irritating to the skin and breaks down rapidly because it is not stabilized. Vitamin C Esters are made of L-ascorbic acid joined with a fatty acid creating an ester bond. Vitamin C Esters stimulate collagen production plus it is fat-soluble, making it stable, non-acidic, completely nonirrating to the skin and offers maximum protection against free radicals at the precise spot that they do the most damage; the outside of the cell. Vitamin C Esters, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl tetraispalmitate and dl-a-tocopheryl 2 L ascorbyl phosphate also achieve levels 10 times higher in the skin than just L-ascorbic acid. The dl-a-tocopheryl 2 L ascorbyl phosphate is a uniquely joined vitamin C with vitamin E and penetrates cell membrane so efficiently that it also gives anti-inflammatory benefits.

0.50% Tocotrienol (Vitamin E): Traditionally when vitamin E is added to a cosmetic, tocopherol is used.Vitamin E in the form ‘tocotrienol’ is 40 times stronger and more effective at repairing skin damage. Tocotrienol may also be listed as High Potency E or HPE.

0.25% Retinol-A: It was discovered that vitamin A creme reduced wrinkles, pigment spots and helped to reverse the damage from UV rays. First there was tretinon (Retin-A brand) Then there was retinoic acid (Renova brand). Both by prescription only. Both having side effects of irritating the skin. Now there is retinol-A that gives the results without the harsh side effects and also non-prescription.

Body Directions: Gently rub in a thin coat of creme to the affected area twice a day. Avoid broken skin or open wounds. Eye Areas: Gently apply creme to the full contour of the eyes, avoiding direct contact with the eyes or eye lids. Works best with clean warm skin. Contains no sunscreen. This is a concentrated topical treatment. Use sparingly at first to determine correct amount of creme. External use only. As with any product, in case of rash, discontinue use. This product contains large amounts of high quality extracts that may alter the product color and vary the color from batch to batch. This in no way affects the potency or quality of the product.

Q. Ok... so you have two black eyes... you're gaining weight and you simply don't have the stamina and energy you use to have...you don't sleep as well as you did as a kid... "life" is getting to you... what do you do?

A. Well... you could simply buy a bucket load of concealer (if your a woman) or wear sunglasses (if you're a man) and you could hide from life or you can actually do something about it. Look... I know... I tell you all the time to eat right, drink right, take the right supplements, handle the stress in your life... get off sugar and white flour, etc... and have you REALLY done that yet? I mean ALL of it? Probably not... ok... I completely totally understand...

You want to LOOK better and younger? Well then... you have to put into your body those things that will help it FEEL young again! And, "NO"... stimulants don't count! You have to feed and nourish the body properly with minerals, vitamins, and REAL foods... not the "food-stuffs" that are typically sold in the grocery aisles and at the fast food drive-through lanes! I'm talking REAL food and real nutrients (vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc.). But which ones do you do?

That's where correct testing comes in... you simply won't know and can spend thousands and lots of time "trying thing out" some with ok results... some with no results... maybe even a few with good results... but let's face it... "time" is not on your side... let's quit wasting time and money and get tested properly... a recent client told me about his father who had to go to the emergency room because he fainted at work... the cost? $4000+.

What was wrong? His father hadn't eaten all day! Just too busy!