When it comes to dark circles under the eyes, there’s some good news and some bad news. The good news is that most times, dark under-eye circles are not a medical problem, according to MayoClinic.com. The bad news is that dark circles under your eyes can make you look old and tired. Once you’ve ruled out a medical problem, take some steps to rid your eyes of those ugly, dark circles.
About Dark Circles
If only one eye has a dark circle accompanied by swelling, see your doctor because that could indicate a medical problem. Otherwise, you probably have run-of-the-mill under-eye circles that you can treat with a topical application or cosmetic surgery. Also, try methods to prevent the dark circles from showing up in the first place, such as keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water and cutting down on liquor, sugar and caffeine.
Causes
Dark eye circles may make you look tired, but lack of sleep is not what causes them. One cause is blood vessels showing through the skin. This can give your under-eye area a bluish cast. As people age, their skin thins, making the blood vessels more apparent. Another cause of dark circles is heredity. This typically makes your under-eye area look brown. Excessive eye rubbing, perhaps because of allergies, can also cause your under-eye area to appear brown. Nasal congestion is yet another cause. If your nose is stopped up, rinse your sinuses with 1/4 tsp. of sea salt mixed with 2 cups of warm water, or use an over-the-counter nasal spray.
Eye Cream
Eye creams are a good defense against dark circles. Use one daily or twice daily — morning and night. An eye cream plumps up your skin, making it difficult to see the blood vessels. Eye creams typically have a higher concentration of plumping emollients than regular face moisturizers do, according to Good Housekeeping. The thicker texture of an eye cream ensures better adhesion to the eye area. For brown under the eyes, choose an eye cream that contains a skin lightener, such as licorice or kojic acid.
Conceal
Concealer may not rid your dark circles, but no one will see them when you wear it. Choose a concealer that is slightly yellow to counteract the darker tones. Don’t use concealer that is too light for your skin; otherwise, you’ll have raccoon eyes. Choose one that is one shade lighter than your foundation.
Self-Care
Put a cold compress over your eyes, such as a bag of frozen corn or peas wrapped in a cloth or chilled teabags. Sleep with your head elevated by at least two pillows. Get enough sleep; otherwise you’ll look paler, which makes any dark circles more noticeable.
Surgery
Blepharoplasty is surgery to make your eye area look better. Generally, this surgery is for droopy eyelids, sagging eyebrows and bags under your eyes. After this outpatient surgery, you should look more rested and youthful.
