Dark circles under the eyes can make you look exhausted, even if you've gotten a full night's sleep. Enlarged blood vessels underneath the eyes that can be seen through the thin skin and dark pigmentation that forms under the eyes due to sun damage are possible causes of those dark circles. They can be reduced temporarily with home remedies and can be removed permanently by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.
Cold Compresses
Dark circles caused by swollen blood vessels underneath the eyes that show through the skin can be reduced for several hours by applying a cold compress to the area, which will cause the blood vessels to contract. Rinse a clean washcloth with cool water, and then apply it to the eye area for several minutes, recommends Eric Donnenfeld, M.D., associate professor of ophthalmology at North Shore University Hospital. Leave the washcloth over the eyes until the dark circles are reduced. You also can wrap ice cubes in a towel and apply them to the afflicted area or place two teabags rinsed in cool water to the under-eye area.
Nasal Spray
Allergies can cause under eye dark circles. When your body is exposed to an allergen, the blood vessels underneath the eyes can enlarge due to sinus pressure. To permanently reduce dark circles under the eyes due to allergies, avoid the allergen. If avoiding the allergen is impossible, the Mayo Clinic recommends making a nasal spray using 1/4 tsp. sea salt and 2 cups of warm water: Pour the saline spray into a small glass, and place the glass directly underneath your nose; plug one nostril while breathing the liquid in with the other one; blow your nose to remove sinus congestion and pressure, and then repeat on the other nostril.
Laser Treatment
If the dark circles under your eyes are due to excess melanin production from sun exposure, treatment from a doctor is required to completely remove the dark areas. Your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can perform a laser treatment on the under-eye area, which destroys the melanin cells underneath the eyes. When the area heals after several days, the under-eye area will appear brighter. It may take several laser treatments to achieve the desired results.
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