Dark circles around the eyes add years to your appearance and make you look tired and worn down. Hundreds of treatments for dark circles exist---but many of these store-bought creams cost upwards of $50 a jar. Home remedies and preventative techniques can also help you get rid of those unsightly dark circles.
Causes
Dark circles appear due to a myriad of causes. Lack of sleep, depression, illness and stress often make dark circles show up. A starvation diet, or one deficient in complete nutrition may also increase the appearance of dark circles. Dark circles emerge with age, as the skin below the eyes thins and blood vessels become more apparent. Hyper pigmentation in African American, Southern Italian and Southeast Asian skin also make dark circles common in people of this heritage. Certain medications, like birth control pills, may make dark circles more dramatic. Sun exposure also emphasizes their appearance.
Non-Invasive Solutions
Home remedies for dark circles include applying cold cucumber or potato juice directly on the affected area. Laying cold tea bags under the eyes is another old-fashioned home remedy that may alleviate some of the swelling or darkness under the eyes. Almond oil applied under the eyes is also a solution. You can spend hundreds of dollars on the various creams and serums on the market to treat under-eye circles. The makeup retail giant, Sephora, sells over 50 products that target the condition. The existence of so many products, however, is disheartening, because it means no one formula is particularly effective and dominating the marketplace.
Invasive Treatment
A type of laser surgery that attacks pigment cells can be used to address under eye circles. The procedure has improved over the years, but it still requires a hefty recovery time. Injections to address under eye circles are now available. These injections contain fillers that cover up the excess pigment or the blood vessels that show through the thin skin around the eyes. The cost for a round of injections that lasts about six months ranges from $500 to $800 and side effects such as bruising, allergic reactions, bumps and lumps can occur.
Considerations
If you do not know the cause of your under-eye circles, you might try a cream containing vitamin C or K and alpha-hydroxy acids first to plump the skin and let less of the darkness show through. You might also observe whether your dark circles become more prominent during allergy season---a simple antihistamine might solve your problem.
Prevention
Lifestyle changes may also prevent your dark circles from becoming worse or from developing in the first place. Strive to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night and insure that you are properly hydrated. Wear sunglasses when outdoors and eat fruits and vegetables rich in anti-oxidants to optimize your skin's health.
Member Comments