A device that treats dry eye syndrome and boosts collagen production – too good to be true?

Linda Evangelista by Peter Lindbergh

One of the most interesting trends I’ve been researching this year is the intersection of health and beauty. The Future Laboratory published a great report on the subject earlier this year and since then I’ve had my radar up for more emerging products and services. Electronic gadgets in particular are getting a lot of attention. The report mentioned the multi-therapy Theraface appliance that treats acne and fine lines, while sculpting the face and – apparently – easing migraines.

And latest on my radar is a device for easing symptoms of mild dry eye syndrome (aka blepharitis) that also doubles as a collagen-and-elastin boosting tool to help reduce wrinkles and assist with lymphatic drainage to minimise eye bags.

Peep Club Heated Eye Wand Pro for dry eye syndrome, blepharitis and lymphatic drainage

The Peep Club Heated Eye Wand Pro* (above, review sample) caught my attention in the weekly Victoria Health newsletter. As a fairly recent sufferer of blepharitis, my optician had previously sold me an eye pad that you’re supposed to heat in an oven (which takes too long) or a microwave (which I don’t have) and then sit with this thing placed over your closed eyes. Reader, I never got round to it. The result is that my blepharitis kept flaring up, a gross little blister in my lower eyelid that feels gritty or sore and requires bathing with a hot cloth twice a day until it subsides.

My optician said dry eye syndrome is increasingly common since one of the causes is not blinking enough, which I’m definitely guilty of when I’m constantly on my screens. (Fun fact: screen time increased by 187% during the pandemic.) Dry eye syndrome is something women can be especially prone to as we get older. The eye stops producing an oil called meibum which makes up the oil part of the fluid that keeps our eyes moist. The meibum oil helps prevent the water layer on the eye surface from evaporating or drying out too quickly. As we age, the number of meibomian glands decreases, with Asian people three times more likely to experience meibomian gland dysfunction. Oestrogen replacement therapy can also contribute to oil production problems. Oh, joy!

Onto the solution. Bathing the eye with a heat pack or a warm washcloth followed by massaging the eyelids helps to release the solidified oil that’s clogging the glands near the lash line and causing the inflammation. But the Peep Club Heated Eye Wand Pro is an altogether speedier and even enjoyable alternative to heated packs and hot flannels. Once charged, it takes a minute to heat up. You then apply the accompanying oily balm (sold separately) around the eye area for added ‘slip’, then very slowly draw the heated wand tip along the top and bottom lash line repeatedly for a minute or two. This is as much as I do as I’m mainly interested in it as a dry eye treatment, so I can get rid of the stye-like inflammation ASAP and go back to wearing mascara!

But for those interested in additional cosmetic benefits, it has an LED light setting (to stimulate collagen and elastin production) and a vibration setting (for lymphatic drainage to reduce the excess fluid that causes eye bags). I’m not sure how often or for how long one would need to use the wand to achieve those kinds of benefits, but I imagine you would need to be quite committed to see results.

For me, using the wand twice a week has been enough to keep my glands well lubricated and inflammation-free. As it’s designed by an ophthalmologist it feels safe to use and it’s certainly a very pleasant and low maintenance self-care ritual. It needs minimal cleaning, the odd USB charge and it’s easy to store and transport. Conclusion: so far, it’s working a treat.

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Linda Evangelista by Peter Lindbergh;  Peep Club Heated Eye Wand Pro
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples*. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

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