T
hey make you look tired all the time, don’t they? After a night’s rest, you might feel refreshed, but your face doesn’t seem to agree. These days of digitization inevitably leave us on our screens, and of course, our eyes suffer from it. After setting up your summer-ready closet, dark under-eye circles might be the only thing standing in the way of an enjoyable picture-perfect summer experience. The reality is that they can be curbed and corrected depending on the extent of the damage. The question remains, how shall this be?
What are dark under-eye circles?
Medical publication Cleaveland Clinic states that: “dark circles under your eyes mean the area of skin below your eyes looks darkened. This area may appear as shades of blue, purple, brown or black, depending on your natural skin color.” Simply put, this means the skin around the eyes is darker than the rest of the face. These dark circles tend to make you look tired or older than your age, and can vary in intensity from slightly to significantly visible.
Causes of dark circles
• Ageing
• Allergies
• Stress
• Genetics
• Environment
• Poor sleeping pattern
• Skin issues
• Dehydration
• Excessive drinking/smoking
• Thyroid problems
• Frequent running of eyes
Ways to prevent dark circles
Prevention will always be a better approach than cure, as the road leading to correcting damaged skin is often a boulevard of broken dreams. While treatments are available, they are sometimes pricey, and require consistency and discipline — traits a lot of us struggle with.
#1. Protect your eyes
We often forget to apply our sunscreen and/or wear sun shades when outdoors. That’s a recipe for dark eye circles and varying skin issues. We already know that if the skin is exposed to the sun for prolonged periods, it could lose moisture and its suppleness. Consider sunscreen the holy grail of your skincare routine. Apply diligently daily. This includes on days you’re indoors too. Yes, that’s self-love.
#2. Make lifestyle adjustments
A poor sleep routine, excessive drinking, or dehydration can cause dark circles. When we consciously replace the aforementioned with healthier lifestyle choices, dark eye circles will find it hard to sneak in. Consider eating healthy, drinking lots of water, and cutting back on alcohol. These are guaranteed ways to maintain glowing skin.
#3. Try self-diagnosis
The best way to establish the cause of your under eyes dark circles is by running a pinch test, according to Dr. Gross. “If you pinch the skin and lift it off the surface, and it stays brown, this means you have a pigment problem. On the other hand, if the color looks better when you do this, you likely have an issue with dilated veins.”
Check out proven tips that could help get rid of dark circles for good…
#1. Explore facials
This is your sign to book a spa appointment and sign up for facials ASAP. In addition to relaxing your facial muscles, this is the best way to incorporate ingredients that are beneficial to your skin. Remember, facials are not one-off miracle working treatments, but should be a major part of your skin care regimen.
#2. Try topical creams/serums
There are diverse eye products available to get rid of dark circles but check with your cosmetologist first. During the consultation, they find out the cause of your dark circles and prescribe the best topical products. Look out for creams with ingredients like collagen, vitamin C, arbutin, and Kojic acid. They inhibit the production of melanin and have anti-aging properties that would help rejuvenate the skin around the eyes.
#3. Change your sleeping position
For individuals who prefer to sleep on their stomachs or have a poor sleep pattern, this might not be a permanent solution, but it’s effective for the sleep-deprived induced dark circles. In addition to a good sleep routine, sleeping while lying down on your back with your head slightly elevated has been proven to help combat dark circles and puffy eyes.
#4. Look into home remedies
There are lots of home remedies that help get rid of dark circles, but my favorite is laying up cucumbers and tea bags on the eyes. Cucumber is high in water and vitamin C, which helps soothe the eyes, provide moisture and rejuvenate the area around the eyes. Slice the cucumber in round shapes, lay down, and place each slice per eye. If you feel the cooling effect seep through, it’s working. Next are the tea bags — boiled to be precise. Allow them to cool off naturally, or place them in the fridge, then on your eyes. The caffeine present in tea bags facilitates blood circulation.
#5. Try cold compress
This procedure is also great for combating puffy eyes. A twice-daily dose of cold compress for at least ten minutes keeps the dark circles at bay. Simply place your eyes cubes in a bag or towel and then on your eyes. Otherwise, you can leave your stainless steel spoons in the freezer to cool and then place them on your eyes. Both methods are effective.
#6. Get an at-home eye massage
While makeup might conceal some skin issues, it’s not a permanent solution when dark circles are concerned. Also, daily facials are almost impossible considering the average adult’s schedule. You can opt for the trendy ice roller. Place them in the fridge for a few hours, and roll them gently around your face with emphasis on the eye area. That’s why an at-home eye massager is an essential must-have. Frequent eye massages help blood circulation and eventually get rid of dark circles.
#7. See a professional
Sometimes to get rid of dark circles, you need to book a session with a qualified dermatologist. They offer services like chemical peels, laser treatments, and surgery. The professional would diagnose the extent of the skin damage and is in the best position to proffer solutions.
Featured image: leyla.stefani | Instagram
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