Dark circles are the enemy of many. People don’t enjoy seeing the difference in tones around their eyes compared to the rest of their faces. There may not be a need to turn to cosmetic surgery. There are some natural under eye remedies you can try at home first to brighten things up.
What are the dark circles under the eye?
Dark circles under the eyes at home remedies are useful to help regain confidence without surgery or expensive laser peels. But first, let’s talk about what dark circles are. They are areas of the skin directly under the eyes that appear darker, at the very least.
But what are they medically? Some individuals are darker in the skin of the lower lids because of the genetics of their complexion. This is particularly true in those of Mediterranean or Eat Indian descent.
In others, it’s what’s underneath the skin. Interestingly, the skin of the lower eyelids is the most thin in the body. The way veins show blue under the skin of your arms when they actually carry red blood, the thinner skin of the eyelids transmits via the same mechanism what’s going on underneath. What you see under the thin skin can be increased redness of the muscle that closes the eye showing up as a bluish discoloration, or increases in puffiness that bulge the skin forward creating a shadow. These shadows will appear as what we know as, dark circles.
What causes dark circles under your eyes?
We can blame aging for plenty of things that happen with our bodies. Dark circles under the eyes can be added to that list. However, aging isn’t the only cause we find for dark circles. People will find that the list of common causes of bags under the eyes is quite long.
Drinking alcohol, allergies, smoking, sinus issues, thyroid disease and certain blood disorders can all contribute to the cause of under eye circles. These are the most common causes and people often turn to cosmetic surgery for this problem.
However, the causes show us that cosmetic surgery may be too extreme a solution. Instead, we can turn to home remedies for dark circles under the eyes.
3 Natural Under Eye Remedies to Experiment With
We understand that thinking about a cosmetic procedure to resolve your dark circle problems can be overwhelming. So, in the meantime we’ve compiled a list of a few different natural remedies you can experiment with at home to minimize the appearance of your dark circles. Check out our tips below!
1. Get More (and better) Sleep
Sleep is a vital part of living a healthy lifestyle. Sleeping allows our bodies to recharge for the next day. We may not notice the things sleep does for us by simply looking in the mirror. However, you can absolutely see the effects a lack of sleep has on your body.
Good sleep may mean avoiding alcohol which, while it may make you fall asleep faster, causes interrupted sleep and in and of itself causes swelling under the eyes.
The remedy here is to get eight hours of sleep nightly. You can also elevate your head while you sleep to prevent the swelling that occurs from venous congestion due to fluid pooling in your eyelids.
2. Use a Cold Compress
One of the most accessible dark circles under the eyes at home remedies is to use a cold compress. Dilated blood vessels can be easier to see through thinning, skin but a cold compress will constrict the blood vessels. That means they won’t be as visible through the skin. You can do this regularly if you have dark circles often.
Use a cold compress after showering or just before applying makeup. Another option is to put cold cucumber slices or cool tea bags on your eyes. It’s unclear whether there are elements that actually help the dark circles under your eyes more than a cold compress alone, but these remedies, while scientifically unproven, remain part of the palette of possibilities suggested by those that are interested in natural treatments.
3. Vitamin E and Almond Oils
Another one of the dark circles under the eyes at home remedies is to use an oil mixture as a moisturizer. Mix equal parts almond oil and vitamin E oil and gently apply to the skin under your eyes before going to bed. Of course, you will want to make sure you are not allergic to either of these oils before using them.
Wash the oil off with cold water in the morning and go about your day!
Where can I learn more about cosmetic procedures for my dark circles?
These at home remedies for dark circles should make a difference in natural and safe ways. But there are cosmetic surgery options that could help if all else fails. Blepharoplasty, fillers, chemical peels, and laser therapy are all options. But patients should absolutely attempt these at home remedies prior to contacting a cosmetic surgeon for help with the issue.
Dr.Allan Wulc is a triple certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon with 25+ years of experience and would be pleased to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Fill out the form below to schedule a personalized consultation or call (610) 828- 8880.