How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles: Your Complete Guide To A Brighter Look

We often hear, ‘Eyes can speak a million words’ but so does the skin under them. The skin under your eyes can say a lot about how you feel: a long night working late or stressful situations can sometimes show up on your face in dark under-eye circles.  Do you need to worry about them? Are dark circles a serious health problem? Not really, but many people feel that dark circles under their eyes make them look tired, older, or unhealthy. It is an awful feeling to move around with dark circles but don’t worry; you are not the only one facing this problem. Some of the most stunning celebrities the world over have encountered this problem at some point in time and have had to resort to various methods to deal with them which we will be discussing today. But first,

What are Dark Circles?

Dark circles result from under-eye puffiness, volume loss, hyperpigmentation, and visibility of the blood vessels in the under-eye area. This can be due to allergies, eczema, contact dermatitis, heredity, hyperpigmentation, sun exposure, or stress. Another cause of dark circles is the natural ageing process. As people age, they commonly develop puffy eyelids or hollows under their eyes. Sometimes these physical changes cast shadows that can appear to be dark circles under the eyes.

Types of Dark Circles -

The fastest way to deal with dark circles is to identify the root cause leading to it. There are primarily 4 types of dark circles. Knowing the exact kind of dark circles is important for using the right solutions. Customized treatments, like using special creams or changing daily habits, may help to reduce and improve dark circles based on what’s causing them.

- Pigmented Dark Circles

Resulting from an excess production of melanin, pigmented dark circles often have a hereditary component. Sun exposure can exacerbate these circles, making the skin around the eyes appear darker.

- Vascular Dark Circles

Linked to issues with blood vessels, vascular dark circles present as bluish or purple discolorations. Factors such as inadequate sleep, ageing, and poor blood circulation contribute to the prominence of these circles.

- Structural Dark Circles

Thinning or hollowing of the skin around the eyes characterizes structural dark circles. This type exposes the underlying blood vessels and tissues, contributing to a shadowed appearance.

- Lifestyle-Related Dark Circles

Lifestyle choices, including high stress levels, dehydration, and an imbalanced diet, can lead to the development of dark circles. Addressing these factors through lifestyle modifications may help reduce the intensity of these circles.

Home Remedies to Treat Dark Circles

Here are some home-made remedies to treat your dark circles at home effectively

1. Cold Tea Bag

One of the most effective and highly easy ways to combat these dark circles under the eyes is to use cold tea bags. Preferably, when exploring how to get rid of dark circles, use green tea or chamomile tea bags for quick results. It is thought that the residual caffeine helps to constrict blood vessels which reduces blood flow, helping to provide some relief from dark circles. Soak the bags in water and chill in the refrigerator. Remove from the fridge and gently place them on both your eyes for 10 to 15 mins. Repeat regularly.

2. Grated Cucumbers/Potatoes

Often considered one of the most effective home remedies for dark circles, cucumber or potato also aids in reducing the puffiness around the eye area. Vitamins, antioxidants, and the anti-inflammatory nature of these cooling veggies help to reduce inflammation around the eyes while also helping to stave off darkening. Grate some raw potatoes or cucumber and place the shreds on your eyes. Relax and remove them after 10-12 minutes. Alternatively, you can also extract the juice of potatoes or cucumbers. Take a cotton ball, soak it in the juice, and place it over your eyes. Make sure the entire area around the dark circles is covered. Leave it for 1-3 minutes and wash off with cold water. In case you are in a hurry, you can also directly place slices of cucumber or potato on your eyes. Although not as effective as the previous two methods, something is better than nothing at all.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are natural bleaching agents. They also contain antioxidants that help to tame the discolouration around the eye area. Mix a teaspoon of tomato juice with a spoon of lemon juice and apply under both the eye areas. Let it remain for 10 minutes or so and rinse it off with cold water. Alternatively, you can also consume tomato juice mixed with some lemon juice and mint leaves to get rid of dark circles under your eyes.

4. Cold Milk

Cold milk is a natural cleanser for the eyes and is known to help remove dark circles under the eyes while soothing the sensitive skin around the eyes. Cold milk contains lactic acid, which not only helps to reduce puffiness but also lightens the skin. Additionally, potassium in milk allows the skin to stay better moisturized, leaving you with softer and supple skin. Dip a cotton ball in cold milk and apply it to the eye area. Keep it for a while and later rinse the eyes with cold water. Repeat at least thrice a week to see visible results.

5. Almond & Lemon Juice

If life gives you lemons, use it to treat your dark circles mixing it with almond oil. Lemon juice’s active component is ascorbic acid, along with other nutrients it helps to reduce water retention which can cause puffy circles around the eyes. It also has a mild bleaching action, however, when used undiluted it can have the opposite effect and cause damage to the skin, better safe than sorry. Take about a teaspoon of almond oil and a few drops of lemon juice, combine them, and gently apply it around the eye area. Massage and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse post that.

6. Aloe Vera

Here comes the Loreal Paris of skin problems. Any problem you name it, you will find aloe vera in the solution list. And rightfully so because it is an effective and excellent moisturizer. Moisturized skin is less likely to sag and will stay healthy longer. Additionally, aloe vera also helps to nourish the skin, preventing premature ageing. Before hitting the sack, gently apply Aloe Vera gel under the eyes and massage for 5-7 minutes. Don’t rinse unless you feel sticky and uncomfortable.

Healing From Inside

Healing dark circles from the inside can even provide a much more effective way to deal with the dark spots under your eyes. Here are some proven and tried methods:

- Yoga & Meditation

One of the underlying reasons for dark circles under the eyes is stress, depression, and an erratic lifestyle. Thus, one of the most prudent ways to deal with dark circles is to stay calm and composed. But as stress is an integral part of our lives, this is not always possible. Hence, it is beneficial to make Yoga and Meditation an everyday ritual! Yoga not only calms down the mind but also helps to regulate the body clock, and most importantly, it addresses most body problems from the core. Try to give at least 15 minutes of your day to yoga and meditation to reap beneficial results.

- 7-8 Hours of Sleep

Arguably, one of the most important factors to consider when you’re trying to get rid of dark circles under your eyes permanently at home is getting enough sleep regularly. Regular sleep ensures that your body and skin have enough time to rest, repair, and regenerate. This improves the youthfulness of your skin as well as your overall health. One of the first things that reveal our internal health conditions is poor skin condition. Proper sleep regularly can be your biggest weapon against preventing and reducing dark circles in the long term. Also, the way we sleep affects the surrounding areas of our eyes. A few pillows under the head can make it raised and prevent fluid from pooling under the eyes, making them look puffy and swollen. This simple adjustment can contribute to a more effective dark circles treatment and overall improvement in the appearance of the eye area.

When to Consider Visiting a Dermatologist?

If your dark circles are not going away or growing even after consistently and diligently following home remedies and with proper rest, it is time you take on professional medical advice. Doctor recommendations might include:

- Skin Lightening Cream

To lighten under-eye hyperpigmentation, a dermatologist might prescribe a skin-lightening cream with azelaic acid, kojic acid, glycolic acid, or hydroquinone. Some of these creams, in formulas with lower percentages of the active ingredient, are available over the counter.

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- Laser Therapy

Laser treatments use heat energy to vaporize damaged cells. The darker pigment under the eyes can be targeted. Along with lightening darker skin tones, laser therapy may induce new collagen formation.

- Chemical Peels

A dermatologist might suggest a light chemical peel to lighten dark pigmentation under the eyes. Commonly these will include glycolic acid, retinoic acid, or hydroquinone. Your dermatologist might also suggest a Jessner peel, which includes a combination of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol.

- Blepharoplasty

Fat can be surgically removed in a lower lid blepharoplasty by a plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, or dermatologic surgeon. The procedure can decrease the shadow cast by your eyelid, which can decrease the appearance of dark circles.

- Fillers

A hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler such as Restylane or Juvederm can be injected into the tissue under the eye by an ophthalmologist, dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or specially trained healthcare provider. Fillers help with volume loss under the eye, which can cause dark circles.

Here we end our complete guide on dark circles and ways to get rid of them. Dark circles are your body’s way of communicating with you and letting you know; something is wrong with your routine. Either you are taking a lot of unnecessary stress or not giving proper attention to your sleep cycles. Home remedies or medical remedies can take you so far unless you sort out your problems, get a hold of your life, and live it to the fullest.

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