Dark circles under the eyes, common with age as the skin underneath the eyes becomes thinner, are more of an irritant than a serious problem. Many experience dark circles as a result of excessive salt intake, lack of sleep or allergies, but whatever the reason, they can create an aesthetic problem that demands prompt attention. Before starting the day, you can take steps to leave the tired-eye look behind and face the world with a fresh outlook.
Step 1
Slice cucumbers or potatoes and place a slice over each eye as you lie down. Make sure that the potato or cucumber makes direct contact with the darkened area and leave it there for 10 to 15 minutes to help eliminate it.
Step 2
Lie down and place an ice pack over your eyes. If you don't have ice cubes use a pack of frozen vegetables. Leave the cold pack over your eyes for at least 15 minutes to help reduce dilated blood vessels.
Step 3
Place a used and cooled tea bag over each eye while lying down. Black, green, and white tea bags are the most effective. Make sure you expel the excess moisture out of the tea bags to avoid getting tea into your eyes. Leave the damp tea bags in place for 15 minutes to allow the tea's natural tannins to help increase circulation.
Step 4
Freeze parsley into ice cubes and place one over each eye for 10 to 15 minutes to help decrease the discoloration. The cold will also help to eliminate any swelling.
Step 5
Take a decongestant or hold your head over a pot of boiling water to help clear up blocked sinuses. The blockage can lead to the discoloration, so freeing up the passages will help to eliminate the dark circles. Read and follow the manufacturers' instructions for dosage of decongestants. Use caution not to hold your head to closely over the steam so as not to get steam burns. Standing in the bathroom while running a hot shower for up to 15 minutes can also be quite effective.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your doctor about persistent dark under-eye circles to rule out any possible underlying medical problems.
Things You'll Need
- Cucumbers
- Potatoes
- Cold compress
- Tea bag
- Parsley
- Decongestant
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