Dark circles under your eyes may make you look older than you should. The Mayo Clinic states that dark circles may even make you feel old, unhealthy or tired. You can cure or at least diminish your dark circles using a variety of treatments ranging from sun protection to cosmetic surgery.
Applying Cold
Dilated blood vessels under your eyes may be the cause of your dark circles. You can reduce the size of these vessels by applying cold, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cold can be applied using chilled teaspoons, a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, chilled cucumber slices, a chilled gel mask or dampened and cooled tea bags. Apply the cooling method of your choice to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes once or twice per day.
Sun Protection
Getting a tan may increase the amount of pigment under your eyes, states the Mayo Clinic, so protect that area from the sun. You can wear dark glasses, a large hat that shades your face or sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. An overall tan may temporarily reduce the appearance of dark circles by darkening the skin around them to match, but may make them worse as the tan fades.
Diet Considerations
Changing your diet may cure your dark circles, according to Jill Haynes, an aesthetician at UC Davis Medical Center. Haynes states you should consume a diet full of vitamins and minerals, but low in sodium. She also advises that you limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume. The facial plastic surgery network states that vitamin deficiencies often cause the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. If changing your diet does not work, consider taking a quality vitamin and mineral supplement or seeing your doctor to determine if you have a deficiency.
Proper Sleep
Proper sleep can help cure dark circles. When you do not get enough sleep, your skin pales and your eyes become more hollow looking, which can accentuate dark circles, notes the Mayo Clinic. Haynes advises you to get seven to eight hours of sleep with your head elevated on two to three pillows. She states that head elevation decreases the amount of fluid that pools under your eyes as you sleep.
Cosmetic Treatments
Laser treatments and intense pulsed light may help decrease the pigment under your eyes and eliminate excessive blood vessels that have formed there, according to the facial plastic surgery network. Chemical peels may help lighten the skin pigment under your eyes. Fat grafting and injectable fillers help replace fat that may have been lost from this area, allowing dark circles and a sunken look to appear.
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