Just what constitutes dark circles under the eyes is somewhat subjective. Some people naturally have darker areas beneath their eyes than others, attributable to genetics. As the Boston Globe reports, the depth of tear troughs, the proximity of blood vessels to the surface of the skin and pigmentation all affect the look of the area beneath the eyes. However, when your dark circles seem particularly pronounced, there are some basic home remedies to reduce their appearance.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle changes function as remedies for dark under-eye circles. The Mayo Clinic points out that their appearance can be enhanced by smoking and consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Cutting these out can help with your dark circles.
Lack of sleep can contribute to the problem, as well, leading to increased levels of hormones such as cortisol that aggravate dark circles, as dermatologist Nicholas Perricone explains. Too little sleep can also cause swelling that enhances the appearance of circles, notes the Boston Globe. Fatigue encourages rubbing of the eyes, which can also make dark circles more pronounced. Get seven to eight hours of sleep nightly. In addition, sleeping with an extra pillow prevents blood and water from pooling beneath your eyes overnight, which can reduce dark circles, says the Mayo Clinic.
Limit unprotected sun exposure. Apply a sunblock of SPF 15 or greater at home half an hour before going out, and wear sunglasses when you leave. The sun triggers the production of melanin, the skin's pigment, and can darken circles beneath the eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Treat Sinus Problems and Nasal Congestion
Sinus problems and nasal congestion increase pressure in the blood vessels beneath the eyes, making dark circles more prominent, explains Dr. Bernard Cohen, a dermatologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. These conditions can also make you rub your eyes excessively. Take an over-the-counter antihistamine. The Mayo Clinic suggests rinsing sinuses with a saline spray made with 2 cups of warm water and one-quarter teaspoon of sea salt.
Try Different Eye Applications
There are a variety of remedies to apply to the eyes that work to reduce dark circles for some people. The Mayo Clinic recommends a cold compress or cooled-down used teabags. Natural Eye Care offers some other eye application options. One is ice cubes with parsley, for its chlorophyll content, frozen in. Others include raw potato and cucumber slices or applying a mixture of their juices with a cotton ball, crushed mint, a mixture of equal parts lemon and tomato juice, powdered vitamin E, almond oil, or a paste made from pineapple juice and powdered turmeric.
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