If you suffer from persistent dark circles under your eyes, you're in great company. According to a recent New York Times article, 53 percent of respondents to a Clinique customer survey listed eye circles and puffiness as their top beauty concerns. Dehydration and allergies can cause dark circles, but often they're the result of extra skin pigmentation or blood vessels that lie near the skin's surface. Treatments for dark eye circles run from home remedies and expensive serums to laser surgery and injected fillers.
Home Remedies
For an easy if temporary relief from dark, puffy eye circles, chill two teaspoons in the refrigerator and then press them against your eyes. This will tighten the skin, reducing puffiness and constricting any dilated blood vessels. You can also soak two herbal tea bags, such as mint or chamomile, in cold water and apply them. Or, try that old spa standby of chilled cucumber slices.
Concealers
A concealer may not get rid of the dark circles under your eyes, but it can help lessen their impact. Choose a light-reflective concealer that's slightly lighter than your foundation, and blend it carefully under your eyes. A number of makeup companies now make concealers specifically formulated for under-eye circles.
Eye Creams
Plumping agents, whey proteins, hydroxy acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K: there's an almost endless supply of eye creams on the market, and each comes with its own list of magical-sounding ingredients. But while many users claim to see benefits from these creams, there's little professional agreement about which, if any, of their various ingredients are proven to be effective against dark eye circles. If you decide to try an eye cream, beware of sticker shock: high-end creams can cost up to $100 for a few ounces.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery for dark eye circles has been around for more than a decade. During the procedure, a cosmetic surgeon uses the laser to resurface the skin under the eyes and destroy the extra pigment cells that lead to dark circles. However, the procedure has its drawbacks: it can be painful, and it may take weeks or even months to fully heal.
Injections
One new remedy uses injectable fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, to plump up the under-eye area, covering the melanin or blood vessels that show through the skin. Injections are given in a series over approximately six months, gradually correcting the circles. However, the treatment does come with side effects, such as swelling, bruising and possible allergic reactions.
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