Circles under the eyes are common. Because they can be caused by a number of factors, you might need to try a few remedies before you find the one that works for you. In some cases, a combination of lifestyle changes and localized treatment will provide the best results.
Step 1
Figure out if you have any allergies that could be causing the dark circles. Hay fever and food allergies, for example, can cause water to pool under the eyes and lead to puffiness and dark circles. Eliminating the allergen can sometimes get rid of the circles without having to do anything else. Over-the-counter allergy medication might help as well.
Step 2
Get enough sleep. Stress, exhaustion and insomnia can all cause dark circles to be more prominent. When you're tired and sleep-deprived, your skin also looks paler, so the circles are more visible. Most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep a night.
Step 3
Take a multivitamin. Poor nutrition can sometimes affect your skin, make you tired and cause dark circles. A daily vitamin supplement will not only help you feel better and more rested, but it can also give your skin new radiance, improving its look and feel.
Step 4
Stay hydrated. The combination of lack of water and excess sodium will cause your body to retain liquids and cause puffiness. Water retention tends to show first in a few specific points of the body, including the area under the eyes. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help your body get rid of excess sodium and lessen the blueish tone that sometimes appear under the eyes.
Step 5
Talk to your doctor about laser treatment. For circles that don't seem to respond to other treatment, a more aggressive approach may be needed. This is especially true if the circles are a result of skin discoloration or genetics. Laser treatment is meant to increase the production of collagen and thicken the skin, so the blood vessels that cause the dark color are no longer visible. During treatment, which can last just a few minutes, the laser is passed over the dark area, burning away the top layer of skin. Recovery time is approximately a week, during which redness, inflammation and some pain is normal.
Step 6
Try a home remedy. Masks sold at beauty shops may help. Or you can try applying cucumber slices or used tea bags on the eyes to help reduce inflammation. They won't cause the circles to disappear permanently, but they will help reduce puffiness. With cucumbers, simply use one that has been cooled down in the refrigerator, cut a couple of slices and place directly on the eyes. For tea, brew a cup and then place the used bag in the fridge so it cools down before using it. Use two bags if you want to treat both eyes at the same time. Masks can be bought in the form of creams or as peel-off masks, which are often thin cloth-like material embedded in gels that can be applied directly on the face.
Step 7
Look for eye creams that contain copper peptides and vitamin K, both of which help strengthen blood vessels and can improve circulation. There are also creams specifically designed to help treat under-eye circles. Creams and serums containing Retinol may also help.
Tips and Warnings
- Kidney or liver problems can sometimes cause circles under the eyes as well. Talk to your doctor about having blood tests done to rule out any serious medical condition that could be causing the circles.
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