Dark circles or bags under the eyes is a common problem for both men and women. Sometimes referred to as infraorbital or periorbital dark circles, these are often seen as a sign of tiredness or fatigue and can make a person appear much older than they actually are.
Although it’s not considered a major medical condition, it can be a cosmetic concern that influences a sufferer’s emotional well-being. If you want to find out how to get rid of dark circles under eyes, read on. This article will delve into the causes of this problem and give you all the information you’ll need to treat it once and for all.
What Causes Dark Circles Under Eyes?
Dark circles under the eyes can affect almost anyone, and there are a number of contributing factors that can cause the problem. These include:
- Age: as we get older, our skin loses its firmness (collagen) and elasticity (elastin), leaving thinner skin. This allows blood vessels and veins to be more easily seen under the skin. In fact, the International Dermal Institute states our skin can lose up to 80% of its thickness due to the aging process.
- Genetics: even though it’s something we can’t control, genetics plays a big role in determining if you will suffer from dark circles under the eyes. If your parents or grandparents suffer from thin eyelids and dark circles, there’s a good chance you will inherit the problem too.
- Allergies: according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the most common type of eye allergy is seasonal allergic conjunctivitis or SAC. Along with itching and redness, SAC also causes chronic dark circles under the eyes, known as allergic shiners.
While these predispositions play a role, other factors can also lead to dark circles under the eyes, including:
- Fatigue
- Skin pigmentation irregularities
- Excess sun exposure
- Dehydration
- Eye strain
How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under Eyes
While many of the causes are hereditary or out of our control, there are thankfully many things you can do to help treat dark circles. For best results, try a combination of the below treatments to help address the issue.
Use a Cold Compress
Using moderate pressure, apply a cold wet towel to your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. This not only reduces swelling but also has the added benefit of shrinking dilated blood vessels, which can help reduce the darkness of eye circles.
Apply Cucumber Slices
Rich in Vitamin C and folic acid, studies show that when applied to the eyes cucumbers can help reduce swelling and stimulate new cell growth. Place cold cucumber slices on the eyes for at least 10 minutes twice a day. Rinse with water after applying and dispose of the slices.
Tea Bags
Caffeine from tea can help narrow blood vessels and reduce the appearance of dark circles, while the antioxidants also have an anti-inflammatory effect. Steep two tea bags in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. Squeeze out any water and place in the fridge for around 20 minutes, or until they are cold enough to touch. Remove any excess water, lay down, and place the bags over your eyes for 15 to 20 minutes.
Get Enough Sleep
Fatigue is one of the major causes of dark eye circles. Ensure you’re getting at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to help fight dark circles. In fact, studies have shown getting less than 7 hours of sleep has a wide range of negative effects on the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems.
Manage Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, either seasonal or year-round, you can reduce the effects by taking over-the-counter drugs like antihistamines. These not only manage your allergy symptoms but also reduce the appearance of red, puffy eyes.
Elevate Your Head When Sleeping
To help prevent fluid from accumulating under your eyes, add an extra pillow to your bed to raise your head when sleeping. If your dark circles are the result of fluid retention, this should help clear up the issue in a few days.
Check Your Diet
What we eat has a huge influence on the look of our skin and health in general. Many different foods cause inflammation in the body, so to reduce dark circles from the eyes it can help to follow an anti-inflammatory diet. Lean towards fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and avoid unhealthy fats, processed food, and excess sugar.
Wear Sunscreen
Another major cause of dark circles is excess sun exposure. As the sun tans our skin, it also increases the appearance of dark circles. If you’re not up for wearing sun cream daily, opt for a 2 in 1 moisturizer that contains at least SPF15 sun protection. This will not only help your eyes but also protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
Vitamin K Wipes
Applying a pad under the eye that contains a mix of Vitamin K and caffeine has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and under-eye circles.
Medical Options
If none of the above home remedies help to treat your dark circles, it might be time to seek medical advice. There are a number of medical options that can treat dark eye circles, including:
- Medications: if your dark circles are caused by allergies, speak to your doctor about prescription allergy medications.
- Therapies: Wrinkle treatments like laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and fillers may help reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
- Surgery: in extreme cases, eyelid surgery known as blepharoplasty is used to treat dark eye circles. According to the Mayo Clinic, this surgery can also repair puffy upper and lower eyelids and excess skin that can impair vision.
As with any medical procedure, there are risks of serious side effects from eye surgery, including loss of vision. Before undertaking any procedures, speak with your doctor about any possible complications.
Final Word
While there can be many causes for dark circles under the eyes, it’s rarely considered a health issue. Even so, it can be damaging to self-esteem and have a detrimental effect on emotional well-being.
Thankfully, there are many things that can help reduce their appearance or remove the problem entirely. Now that you know how to get rid of dark circles under eyes, try some of the above remedies and see how they work for you. If the darkening worsens or these treatments aren’t working, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your medical options.
References:
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