The effect of eye cover on eye health

In addition to its attractive appearance and comfortable feeling, the eye mask has many benefits for the skin and general health. This mask protects the eye area and helps you relax and sleep deeply throughout the night. So, if you haven't had one before, we will provide you through the Dalili Medical website with the reasons that will make you rush to buy it.

**Why should you use an eye mask while sleeping? **

The eye mask helps you fall asleep faster, as it blocks external light and increases the level of relaxation in the body. If you suffer from insomnia at night, wearing an eye mask is an essential step to improve the quality of your sleep. Improving the quality of sleep positively reflects on your mental health and enhances your mood. When the body enters a deep sleep without insomnia or frequent awakenings, this contributes to improving general health, which is directly reflected in your skin. Good health means that blood circulation is working properly, and therefore your skin will remain youthful for a longer period. In addition, you will notice a decrease in the rate of puffiness.

If you suffer from dry eyes, the night mask will help you avoid this problem. Although the eyes are closed during sleep, they are still exposed to bacteria and light that enters in the morning. Therefore, the eye mask provides complete protection and helps maintain eye moisture. The area around the eyes is one of the most sensitive areas of the skin. Therefore, wearing an eye mask helps protect this area from bacteria, rays, and other factors that may cause dryness, aging, or puffiness.

Many eye masks are made of silk or cotton or contain gel. Silk and cotton are very soft fabrics on the skin, which helps maintain the beauty of the eyes. The gel also helps cool this area, keeps it youthful, and reduces puffiness.

 Points to consider when buying an eye mask

When choosing an eye mask for sleeping, the type of fabric is one of the basic factors to pay attention to. It is preferable to choose masks made of silk or cotton, or those containing gel, as these materials do not cause irritation to the skin of the eyes and are soft on the skin. Although all eye masks look very similar, they differ slightly, especially in the nose and eyebrow area. So, choose the shape that suits you, whether you want to cover the nose, eyebrows, corners of the eyes, or others.

The size of the eye patch is also important to consider. Make sure to choose the right size for you, so that it is not too tight, which may impede blood circulation, nor too wide, which may cause you discomfort.

 Effect of eye patches on vision

For children, eye patches may be prescribed for some eye conditions to improve vision in the non-dominant eye. As for adults, eye patches are often used to protect one eye after surgery. In some cases, an eye patch may not solve the problem, which prompts many eye specialists to look for better treatment methods to enhance the strength of both eyes together. However, many patients have benefited from wearing eye patches as part of their vision treatment. It is important to wear the eye patch according to the instructions of the eye doctor, as it can protect vision in the healthy eye and help the non-dominant eye.

 Types of Sleeping Eye Masks

1. **Cloth Masks**: These masks are made from a variety of fabrics such as cashmere, cotton, velvet, and silk. You can choose the fabric you prefer or that suits your skin type, as silk masks are ideal for those with sensitive skin.

2. **Gel Masks**: Some people prefer to use gel eye masks after placing them in the refrigerator, as they give a cool and refreshing feeling, and help with conditions such as itchy and swollen eyes.

3. **Padded Eye Masks**: These masks help you feel relaxed and provide better blocking of ambient light.

4. **Heat Eye Mask**: A heat eye mask is useful in cases of dry eyes, as heat stimulates the secretion of sebaceous glands to produce tears, and helps retain moisture inside the eye and improve its hydration.

**Sleep Mask Specifications**

When choosing a sleep mask, you should consider the shape, size, material, and weight.

**Shape**: Sleep masks come in a variety of shapes, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your facial features and ensures you’re comfortable while sleeping.

**Size**: Make sure the mask sits comfortably on your face, and is tight enough to do its job of blocking out light. The goal is to prevent light from entering your eyes without the mask being so tight that it causes you a headache.

**Material**: Sleep masks are made from different fabrics, each with their own advantages. Cotton offers a soft feel and is an economical option. While silk may be a bit more expensive, it doesn’t absorb skincare products like eye creams and moisturizers, and it reduces friction around the delicate eye area. Silk is a natural material that allows oxygen to flow, which helps keep the skin around the eyes hydrated. Additionally, silk masks have antibacterial and anti-allergic properties, which can help relieve certain skin conditions like rosacea, dermatitis, and eczema.

**Weight**: Most sleep masks are lightweight, but if you’re looking for something a little heavier, there are heavy options that add a little pressure to help relieve tension.

**Light Blocking**: Some masks are made from light fabrics or don’t cover enough area to completely block out light. Others are designed to be effective at blocking out light completely, which is important if you struggle with how light affects your sleep quality.

**Temperature**: There are also sleep masks that allow for temperature changes, which can be helpful for headaches. Adding a little warmth to your eyes can be soothing while you sleep, while a cool mask can help make it easier to fall asleep.

Hot weather. Many masks can be heated in the microwave or stored in the freezer to change the temperature as needed. The silk mask also provides a warm feeling in the winter and a cool feeling in the summer, making it an excellent choice for sleeping.

**Eye conditions**: Some sleep masks may help treat dry eyes or eyelid problems, although there is no conclusive evidence to support this. These masks are designed to create a barrier between the skin around the eyes, preventing moisture loss and reducing dust and air intrusion. Using masks is especially helpful for people with incomplete eyelid closure, which can lead to dry, itchy eyes. Even if you don’t have this problem, there’s no harm in trying sleeping with a mask on for a few nights, and you can continue or stop using it based on whether you feel better from your dry eye symptoms in the morning. However, experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these masks in treating other conditions, such as gland problems.

**Benefits of Eye Mask for Sleep**

**Improving Sleep Quality**: Eye mask helps combat insomnia by blocking out light, which promotes the secretion of melatonin in the brain, thus contributing to a feeling of relaxation and improving sleep quality.

**Enhancing Brain Function**: Good sleep resulting from using an eye mask enhances short-term memory, strengthens concentration, and improves attention.

**Relieving Migraines**: If you suffer from migraines that prevent you from sleeping at night, using an eye mask can be effective in relieving headaches without the need to take painkillers.

**Preventing Dry Eye**: People who use an eye mask for sleeping regularly are less likely to develop dry eyes.

**Improving the appearance of the skin around the eyes**: A sleep mask helps improve the appearance of the skin around the eyes by reducing puffiness, wrinkles, and dark circles.

**Cheaper than Curtains**: The darker your bedroom is, the better your sleep will be. While blackout curtains are expensive, a sleep mask can be used as an effective alternative to provide the darkness needed for sleep.

**Safer than drugs or alcohol**: Many people turn to sleeping pills or alcohol to combat sleep problems, but these options can lead to dependence or side effects. In contrast, sleep masks trick the brain into thinking it’s time to sleep, making them a low-risk, non-chemical alternative to sleep medications, and you may find them just as effective. Using a sleep mask can help prevent dry eyes, especially when your home is centrally heated or cooled. Dry air can bring dust and pet hair into the room, which can affect your eyes while you sleep. A sleep mask acts as a protective barrier to protect your eyes from the effects of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It’s also helpful for people who can’t fully close their eyes while sleeping, which can lead to severe dry eyes and permanent damage.

Additionally, a sleep mask can have skin benefits, helping to reduce the effects of a wrinkled pillow on your face, which can lead to wrinkles over time due to collagen breakdown. The mask acts as a protective layer between the face and the pillow, so it is preferable to choose a mask made of 100% natural and breathable materials such as cotton or silk, and make sure to wash it regularly using a fragrance-free detergent and without fabric softener. On the other hand, lack of sleep is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and Alzheimer's disease, in addition to other health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Good sleep also helps reduce the risk of obesity, as studies indicate that people who sleep less than 7 hours a night are more likely to gain weight. The chances of obesity increased by 89% in children and 55% in adults who suffer from lack of sleep. Short sleep periods also affect the levels of hunger hormones, leptin and ghrelin, making sleep-deprived people more likely to feel hungry.

Sleep plays an important role in enhancing immune function, as people who sleep less than 7 hours a night suffer from weak immunity, which increases their likelihood of catching colds.

**Improved Mental Health** Lack of sleep has been linked to depression, with around 90% of people with depression reporting trouble sleeping. People with sleep disorders also report higher rates of depression, and some studies suggest that lack of sleep may increase the risk of suicide.

**Improved Brain Health** Adequate amounts of sleep are linked to alertness, focus, and decision-making ability. Sleep affects memory and concentration, as well as cognitive and motor performance. Getting enough sleep can enhance problem-solving skills.

**Sleep Mask Saves You Money** The average recommended sleep mask is low, allowing you to enjoy near-total darkness. In comparison, buying blackout curtains can cost you several times more. So you can enjoy complete darkness without impacting your budget or home design.

**Sleep Mask Flexibility** If you work night shifts, travel a lot, or have a different sleeping pattern than your partner, a sleep mask allows you to get the rest you need without disturbing others. For example, if your partner works from home while you work night shifts, you may not feel comfortable having your living room or bedroom darkened while you sleep, so a sleep mask is the perfect option. Furthermore, when traveling abroad, many people seek to sleep on a plane or train to combat jet lag, which helps them get the rest they need and ensure their body clock is out of sync.

Sleep masks can contain soothing scents, as aromatherapy is becoming increasingly popular. Many of these masks contain fragrances that help you relax and sleep.

. The classic lavender scent is the most associated with sleep, and many studies have shown its effectiveness in improving sleep quality. Cedarwood and bergamot have also been linked to better sleep in studied experiments. If you are concerned about the strong smell of the mask affecting your nose, you can choose a product that offers some flexibility, as some allow you to remove the scented bag or replace it with another scent. Additionally, some scents may be nice but not suitable for sleep, such as citrus scents that may give you energy at times when you need it.

### The harms of the eye mask on the human body and instructions for its use

Most of the harms of the eye mask result from its incorrect use. It is important to know, dear reader, that there are certain methods that must be followed to avoid any negative effects that may result from using the eye mask. In fact, the eyes should not be covered while sleeping on a daily basis, and it is preferable to use it only when necessary, especially when it is difficult to find a quiet, dark place to sleep. For example, during travel, many people find it difficult to relax and sleep, especially during the day, and in these cases you can safely use an eye mask as long as you do not do it on a daily basis. One of the disadvantages of an eye mask is that it prevents eye movement during sleep. During this period, the eye usually makes important movements that help the body gradually transition from a state of light sleep to deep sleep, which may not happen due to the pressure of the eye mask, which undoubtedly affects the quality and speed of sleep. It is necessary to carefully choose the appropriate material for the eye mask, preferably made of cotton or silk to avoid any sensitivity or irritation to the skin, and to ensure that it does not affect the skin. The area around the eyes is a very sensitive area to any materials that may come into contact with it. It is also important to note that the eye mask is slightly higher than the eye and does not press on it. Pressure on the eye may negatively affect blood circulation in the area, and it also prevents air flow to the eye, which may lead to serious problems in the future.

**Tips for using an eye mask:**

1. **Turn off the lights when sleeping:** Many people believe that using an eye mask alone is enough to improve the quality of sleep, which prompts them to ignore turning off the lights. But this increases sleep disorders, stress and nervousness. In order for the body to get comfortable sleep, the entire room must be dark, as the body secretes the hormone melatonin, known as the sleep hormone, only in the dark.

2. **Choosing a suitable eye cover:** The material used to make the cover must be suitable and not cause allergies or irritation to the eye. It is preferable to choose a cover made of cotton, and it is preferable for the cover to be hollow so that it does not come into direct contact with the eye during sleep, which may lead to pressure on it and cause redness, swelling and irritation.

**Using an eye cover at appropriate times:** Doctors recommend wearing an eye cover while traveling and sleeping during the day, as it contributes to significantly improving the quality of sleep.

**How ​​to prepare an eye mask for comfortable sleep with natural ingredients**

**Eye mask with coconut oil:** Coconut oil is an excellent choice to soothe the eye area and promote sleep. This oil is characterized by its moisturizing properties and being a natural anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce puffiness and inflammation around the eyes. Coconut oil is also used as a natural treatment for dark circles and helps with relaxation.

**How ​​to use:** Put a few drops of coconut oil on a cloth, then gently dab it around the eye area in circular motions for 10 seconds. Close your eyes and wait for at least 5 minutes before rinsing your eyes with pure water. After that, you can apply eye cream. It is preferable to repeat this mask daily for a week.

**Cucumber Juice Eye Mask:** Cucumber is a great moisturizer for the eye area, helping to soothe it and promote sleep. Cucumber is a natural sedative, as it contributes to relaxation and reduces fluid retention, which helps reduce dark circles thanks to its vitamin C, caffeic acid, water and antioxidants.

**How ​​to use:** Grate the cucumber and leave it in the refrigerator for half an hour, then distribute it evenly around your eyes. After 30 minutes, wash your face with cold water. Repeated use of this mask helps stimulate blood circulation.

**Tea Bag Eye Mask:** Tea has effective properties in treating dark circles and soothing the eye area. Tea is an excellent natural choice as an eye mask, providing comfort and relaxation and treating dark circles and stress around the eyes. In addition, tea has amazing benefits for hair.

**How ​​to use:** Place some used tea bags in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes, then place them on your eyes for 10-15 minutes. Use this mask three times a week.

Alternatives to an eye mask while sleeping

- Blackout curtains that provide the same effect as sleeping covers.

- Take some herbs or supplements that promote sleep, such as magnesium supplements, valerian, passion flower, or melatonin supplements, and consult a doctor before taking any of them.

- Wear comfortable, loose clothing, and use bed covers made of materials such as cotton, which gives a cool and refreshing feeling, which facilitates sleep.

- Make some adjustments to your lifestyle, such as reducing caffeine consumption and exercising.

- Take prescribed medications that help overcome insomnia, but make sure not to take them without consulting a doctor to avoid the risk of addiction.