Dark circles can transform your entire face. Even if you have gotten a full night's sleep, dark circles may appear under your eyes due to age, allergies, heredity, exposure to the sun or nasal congestion. In most cases, dark circles under the eyes are not serious and can be treated with home remedies, states the Mayo Clinic. You can eliminate your dark under-eye circles for good with a few items from around the house. You can achieve more drastic results, however, by getting a laser procedure, which can be performed by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.
Step 1
Rinse your nose out with saline nasal spray. Nasal congestion can cause dark circles under the eyes because the blood vessels around the eyes become inflamed, showing through the thin skin under your eyes. Spray the saline nasal spray into one nostril at a time, then blow your nose.
Step 2
Apply a cold compress to help blood vessels under your eyes constrict. Rinse a washcloth in cold water, then apply it directly to the eye area. A cold compress will temporarily relieve the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
Step 3
Sleep more. Dark circles can form due to a lack of sleep. The Mayo Clinic suggests sleeping between 7 and 8 hours per night.
Step 4
Consult your dermatologist about a prescription lightening or bleaching cream. In some cases, a lightening cream may reduce pigmentation on the skin due to sun damage or heredity.
Step 5
Get a laser skin procedure to lighten under-eye circles. Your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can perform a laser procedure to remove the pigment on skin cells underneath the eyes. According to Katie Zezima of "The New York Times," laser treatment for dark circles may be painful and take several weeks to heal completely.
Tips and Warnings
- Prevent dark circles due to sun exposure by wearing sunscreen and dark glasses when going out in the sun.
- Consult several specialists before deciding on a doctor to perform your laser procedure.
Things You'll Need
- Saline nasal spray
- Washcloth
- Prescription lightening cream
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