Banish the Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

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• Posted December 4, 2012 at 10:03 pm
• Beauty Tips
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We’ve all experienced those Monday mornings after a long weekend when we stumble to the bathroom mirror to discover prominent dark circles underneath our eyes. For some people, this is a hereditary condition that they have to live with over the long-term, and for others it’s a result of fatigue or illness. In either case, careful application of makeup around the eyes will help you look fresh and rested, even if you don’t feel it.

First a word about what these dreaded dark circles are. For those with darker skin, one of the main causes periorbital hyperpigmentation, which just means that there is more pigmentation around the eyes than the rest of the face. The skin around the eyes is some of thinnest in the whole body, and for lighter-skinned people, when the skin is pale because of tiredness, illness, or because they inherited especially thin skin from their parents, these blood vessels will show through the skin a bit like a bruise. As we age, our skin also becomes thinner, so older people are more likely to have dark rings than younger people.

Cover Up With Concealer

Both concealer and liquid foundation will do the trick, but not all concealers are appropriate. Cream concealers work best. The skin around the eyes is a highly mobile and expressive area, so a dry product will be prone to cracking.

The concealer should be applied after foundation and eye makeup, and it should be applied sparingly. Too much concealer, over too wide an area, will not create a desirable look. Carefully cover the dark areas, and then blend the concealer outwards.

Use A Cold Compress

Applying a cold compress to the area around the eye may reduce the appearance of dark circles. Because the circles are caused, in many cases, by blood vessels that are visible beneath the skin, and applying a cold compress causes those tiny blood vessels to constrict, the flow of blood and the coloration it causes is reduced.

There are various natural remedies that have a similar effect. Applying cold cucumbers to the eyes for 15 minutes may help to reduce darkness and puffiness, as will a cold teabag or ice-cube wrapped in a cloth. Some people use a frozen spoon, although you should take care with this method — too cold and it’s possible to cause serious damage to your eyes and the skin around them.

Seek Medical Help

In some cases, where dark circles are caused by excess pigmentation or hereditary skin thinness, you might want to consult your physician for a more permanent solution. Both chemical peels and laser treatments can help reduce dark circles, and there are injectable fillers that can work to prevent shadows.

Lifestyle Changes

Not sleeping properly is the major cause of temporary dark shadows under the eyes. An adequate sleep schedule is one of the most effective ways to improve general well-being and appearance.

Smoking has an effect on the vascular system, making blood vessels appear more prominent. In addition to the other reasons to stop smoking, it may help reduce dark shadows and it will certainly help to keep your skin looking youthful for longer.

We’re sure you have your own tips and tricks for reducing the appearance of dark rings. Don’t hesitate to share them with us the comments, and let us know how our advice is working out for you

Image credit: KnockOut_Photographs