Dark under-eye circles are a common dermatological concern. In fact, according to the American Chronicle website, dark under-eye circles are the second most common cosmetic skin problem, after acne. Most often associated with fatigue, dark circles beneath the eyes actually have a wide variety of causes, and these generally dictate which treatment options will be effective in each individual case.
Home Remedies
Sometimes dark under-eye circles are simply a result of lifestyle factors. Sleep habits, particularly sleep deprivation, may be to blame. The Mayo Clinic points out that fatigue can leave you hollow-eyed, make you rub your eyes and cause inflammation, and even cause hormone imbalances that accentuate dark circles, according to Nicholas Perricone, M.D. Always get a full night's rest. Some people experience pooling of blood and water beneath the eyes while they sleep as well, causing dark circles in the morning, in which case elevating your head overnight with a second pillow will help.
Smoking, caffeine and alcohol can all contribute to under-eye circles too, according to the Mayo Clinic. Stopping or cutting back on any of these substances may be adequate for remedying your dark circles. Additionally, reducing unprotected sun exposure, which darkens the pigment beneath the eyes, can help. Use sunscreen and sunglasses.
Cold compresses and used teabags, once they've cooled off, can be applied to the area under the eyes. Thin slices of chilled cucumber may work as well. You can also try rubbing some castor, almond or olive oil on affected areas before bed and applying a mixture of tomato and lemon juice under the eyes twice daily for a few minutes.
Nasal Congestion Treatment
Allergies, sinus problems, illness and any other cause of nasal congestion are typical triggers for dark circles under the eyes. Nasal congestion causes a backup of fluids around the nose, particularly in the blood vessels beneath the eyes. Treating nasal congestion is, in these instances, all the treatment necessary for eliminating your dark circles. Often an antihistamine or other nasal decongestant suffices. The Mayo Clinic also recommends use of a saline wash to rinse out the sinuses that is made with 1/4 tsp. of sea salt mixed into 2 cups of warm water.
Cosmetic Procedures
In some people, dark under-eye circles are a permanent feature for genetic reasons. The shape of the face, depth of hollows beneath the eyes, pigmentation or superficial blood vessels are some common factors that may be to blame. In these cases, the only effective treatment for dark circles is an appropriate cosmetic procedure. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Frank Meronk Jr., of Oxnard, California, outlines the standard procedures. A lower eyelid blepharoplasty sculpts the fat beneath the eyes to eliminate shadowing. A face-lift or injections of fillers eliminate shadowing and deep hollows. When dark under-eye circles result from pigmentation, hydroquinone bleaching creams, laser treatments or chemical peels can remedy the problem.
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