The Eyes Have It

After the age of 40, eye lids show signs of atrophy; in fact, the truth is that at 40, aging is affecting just more than eye lids. Eye brows are drooping and crows' feet are becoming apparent. The under eye is showing wear and tear too; deep lines, puffiness, hollowness are all glaring signs of aging.

The booming men and women of today know how important it is to be secure with the fact that we are who we are - souls of the world embracing all life has to offer.

This includes learning to be secure with who we are on the outside too. We want to be genuine, not superficial or plastic in our appearance and we want to put our best face forward so that we are recognized and complimented for our winning ways and self-confidence.

Looking in the mirror and seeing tired, hooded eyes, crows' feet and droopy eyebrows can send the normal person over the edge, dialing 911 for a plastic surgeon to remedy the situation. Oh sure, that's the "easy" way out. Surgery - cutting - scarring - pain - disappointment - pain - recovery time - pain - risk - infection - slow healing - and the list can go on and on. Surgery is not easy.

The media have been very proficient at keeping everyone abreast of the newest tricks (surgery/injections/strings) performed by plastic surgeons. The media have contributed to the $60 million plus spent on eye procedures in 2005; that's right, over 200,000 people shelled out $3,000 to $5,000 to plastic surgeons to temporarily lift the brow and tweak the upper and lower lids.

These costly, risky procedures can be replaced with exercise. That's right! Using one or two exercises can shorten, lift and tighten the very muscles doctors are cutting then suturing.

Surgery is temporary because even though the muscles have been cut and sutured into the desired position, they are going to continue to atrophy and elongate unless you exercise them. If you choose not to exercise the brows and forehead to maintain the surgical lift, you will soon see that another surgery is in your future.

Exercise is far superior to elective cosmetic eye surgery because there is no risk. Take risk, pain, bruising, blurred vision, big expense and disappointment out of the equation. Results begin immediately and continue daily as long as you spend 35 seconds a day exercising your brows and upper eyes.

Exercise is beneficial for everyone and what a terrific deterrent to looking old when you begin exercising your face before aging is apparent. Facial fitness is just as important as mental fitness, physical fitness and spiritual fitness.

Your face, the part of your body that resonates who you are is your power suit and when you look pretty and healthy, your confidence shows. Improving our appearance is age old and looking good impacts our daily lives whether we work at home or meet people daily through our life experiences. We know that when we feel good about ourselves, we are happier, more productive and life just seems easier.

Bottom line: If you look in the mirror and see a tired face looking back at you, just know that help is as close as your fingertips.

Cynthia Rowland is widely recognized as an expert in all natural facial fitness with over thirty years experience in health & beauty related fields. She has appeared on The View, NBC 4, Fit TV, HGTV and other popular shows. This author, speaker and television personality is leading the crusade to keep men and women looking vibrantly younger through natural techniques without spending their children's inheritance.