Battling dark circles? If you are making a serious effort to conceal them by putting on heavy make up every day, do not worry as you are not alone. Millions of other people also go through the same ordeal like you. Stressful lives and tight deadlines also make it impossible for those tired eyes to recover.
Let us first understand more in depth about dark circles and ways to tackle the issue.
Dark Circles – What Are They?
Darkening of your under eye skin is referred to as dark circles. Some people also call them shadows, dark rings or zombie eyes. Although dark circles do not indicate a serious skin condition, they tend to make you look unhealthy, exhausted, older and tired.
Below is the complete information on what causes dark circles, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from happening at all.
Dark Circles – Causes
The most common causes of dark circles are stress, tiredness, staying up late, working too hard, or simply hereditary and age related. Periorbital hyperpigmentation, oxidization of blood, fluid build-up and production of cortisol can also leave you with puffed up zombie eyes. Other common causes include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, irregular pigmentation, malnutrition, dehydration, smoking, excessive scratching or rubbing of your eyes, and exposure to sun.
Remedies for Dark Circles
There are some simple and effective remedies available for dark circles. You can try applying these at home to reduce the impact.
1, Home remedies
Some of the most effective remedies for dark circles can be found in your kitchen itself.
Massage
Use almond oil or extra virgin coconut oil to massage the area around your eyes. Massage preferably during bed time, leave the oil overnight, and wash off the next morning. Regular massage can cause your dark circles to disappear gradually.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are known for their mild astringent and skin-lightening properties. They not only relax you, also a refreshing feel to your eye area. Cut thin slices of cucumber, refrigerate them, and keep them on your eyes for 10 minutes twice daily. Do this for a week, and you will definitely see your dark circles getting lighter. You may also mix cucumber juice in lemon juice, apply the mixture on the dark area around the eyes, and leave for 15 minutes. Doing this for a week will give you visible results.
Potato
Yes, potatoes have natural bleaching properties that can actually make your dark skin lighter. Grate a raw potato, extract its juice, soak a cotton ball in it, and keep it on your eyes for 10 minutes. Repeat twice daily for a couple of weeks to see visible changes.
Mint
Grind few mint leaves and make a paste by mixing water. Apply this paste twice a day on your dark circles for at least 2 weeks, and see the difference
Turmeric and Pineapple Juice
Make a paste by mixing pineapple juice and turmeric. Apply it on your dark circles, let it stay for 15 minutes and then wipe away.
Cold compress
Take a cold compress by soaking a hand towel in cold water or milk, and keep on your eyes for a few minutes. This can constrict blood vessels under your eyes, and reduce dark circles and puffiness significantly. You may also wrap ice cubes in a cloth, or use frozen peas, chilled teabags or refrigerated spoon to apply cold compress on your under-eye area.
2, Exercise
Few exercises like deep breathing techniques improve circulation of blood, keeping stress under control and helping oxygenation. When used in combination with relaxation and adequate sleep, these exercises can lead to a healthier lifestyle, tackling dark circles.
3, Topical Applications
There are several ointments, gels and topical creams available in the market today that can help minimize dark circles. These products usually contain vitamin K which reduces dilation of blood vessels, and vitamin C which stimulates production of skin collagen.
Prevention of Dark Circles
Dark circles can be prevented by getting enough rest, having a good night’s sleep, and improving your blood circulation with the help of breathing exercises. Always use gentle, light movements in a clockwise direction while applying creams or removing makeup. Never massage the under eye area, as it may drag or pull the skin, causing wrinkles. Take care of your nutrition, and get adequate amounts of vitamin K and C in your diet.
Simple choices of healthy lifestyle and home remedies should do the trick. Now that you know everything about dark circles, their causes, remedies and prevention, you can immediately identify the exact cause for your condition, and work towards getting rid of them the right way.
