Also called eye circles, dark circles around the eyes is a skin condition that is characterized by a dark discoloration of the area just beneath the eyes. There are many medical and pharmaceutical treatments for this skin condition today, including surgery and over-the-counter eye creams. However, more people are opting to use home cures to get rid of dark circles around the eyes.
Considerations
According to Linda Schoen, an editorial consultant to the American Academy of Dermatology, and Dr. Paul Lazar, a professor of clinical dermatology at Chicago's Northwestern University, dark circles are often an inherited trait. In their book, "The Look You Like," they write that this skin condition results from hereditary, anatomical factors that predispose the individual to suffer from dark circles. When a person has very thin skin around the eyes, for example, blood flowing through the veins close to the skin surface shows through the skin, giving it a bluish-black appearance.
Causes
In her book, "The Green Beauty Guide," Julie Gabriel describes a process through which dark circles develop. She writes that most dark circles are formed when red blood cells in the delicate skin around the eyes leak through the walls of blood capillaries and spread in the surrounding area. This leakage sometimes happens because capillaries, which are the tiniest blood vessels in the body, are typically very narrow and have extremely thin walls. Enzymes break down these red blood cells, causing them to turn dark blue and form dark circles. Other causes of dark eye circles include allergies; fluid retention; and hormonal changes resulting from pregnancy or menstrual periods.
Home Cures
A number of items that are in your refrigerator and pantry can be used as a home cure for dark circles. The Mayo Clinic recommends using 2 chilled tsp. to reduce dilated, discolored under-eye blood vessels temporarily. Alternatively, use a cold compress or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a soft cloth. The Mayo Clinic also recommends getting enough sleep, wearing dark eyeglasses and using a saline wash or spray as other home cures for dark circles.
Another home cure you can use is cool, wet green tea bags, according to Gabriel. When the tea bags are placed beneath the eyes for 15 minutes, the caffeine in the tea helps to get rid of water retention in this area. Other home cures she recommends include luke-warm milk applied to the under-eye area or potato slices placed over the dark circles. She writes that both ingredients have a natural, lightening effect that helps get rid of these circles.
Dietary Changes
Reduce water retention in your body by taking B vitamins. In the book, "The Beauty Diet," Lisa Drayer writes that water retention can cause puffy eyes, which in turn can result in dark circles forming in the under-eye area. She recommends increasing your intake of foods that are rich in B vitamins, such as walnuts, yogurt, wild salmon, spinach and oysters.
Warning
Dr David Goldberg, a New Jersey cosmetic dermatologist, cautions that while dark circles around the eyes are often a harmless condition, they can sometimes be symptoms of a complex, health issue, such as a kidney disorder. Consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis before you treat your dark circles with any home cure.
References
- "The Look You Like: Medical Answers to 400 Questions on Skin and Hair Care"; Linda Allen Schoen and Paul Lazar; 1989
- "The Green Beauty Guide: Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skin"' Julie Gabriel
- The Mayo Clinic: Dark Circles Under Eyes
- "The Beauty Diet: Looking Great Has Never Been So Delicious"; Lisa Drayer; 2008
- "Light Years Younger: The Definitive Guide to Anti-Aging Skin Care"; David J. Goldberg and Eva M. Herriott; 2003
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