Straight Talk About Poor Posture, Razor Burn, and More

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Q: I’m starting to slump really badly, and it looks horrible. What’s going on?

A: Lots of things in your crazy-busy life can be posture-busters:

• You sit wrong. At your desk, remind yourself to sit up straight: Push your back against the chair’s back, keep feet flat on the floor, and place arms at a 75- to 90-degree angle from your elbows.
• You wear the wrong shoes. Poor fit or inadequate support can make you slump. See a podiatrist, who may recommend inserts, healthier styles, or an orthopedic shoe.
• You’re tied in knots. Muscle tension or stress can greatly restrict flexibility. Stretch out well before and after your workouts, or have a massage therapist work out the kinks.
• You’re not eating right. With-out ample nourishment, your frame may start to sag. Eat more calcium- and vitamin D–rich foods (salmon, yogurt, kale), or add a multi to keep bones strong.
• Your core is weak. Those midsection muscles help you stand up straight. Strengthen them with some specific yoga poses, like the Wheel or Cobra.

Q: The dark circles under my eyes keep getting darker, but I feel like I’m getting enough sleep. What’s wrong?

A: A few things may have you reaching for the concealer. Sinus blockage triggered by a food or seasonal allergy can cause swelling of the tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin—and, voila, “darkened” areas around your nose and eyes. An allergist can determine your allergy trigger. If yours is seasonal or the irritant is unavoidable, an over-the-counter drug like Claritin or Zyrtec should help. Note, too, that weight loss, smoking, or a high salt intake can worsen the appearance of dark circles.

A vitamin deficiency could be another culprit. Take a daily multi, and add a night cream or facial mask containing vitamins K and A (a.k.a. retinol) to your skin-care regimen. One to try: L’Oréal Paris Skin Genesis Daily Treatment Eye Serum ($19.99). Unfortunately, those dark circles can also be a genetic thing.

Excessive pigmentation can darken under-eye skin, especially if you’re out in the sun a lot. Laser surgery, which resurfaces skin and destroys highly pigmented cells, is a solution, but expect a lengthy recovery period and a price tag in the thousands of dollars. Before you commit, try squeezing in an extra half-hour of sleep—fatigue can dull skin and make any discoloration more visible.

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