Dark circles under the eyes have many causes, including lack of sleep, stress, allergies, fluid imbalance, and genetics. While there are many reasons for dark circles, there are also many ways to prevent them, or at least lessen their impact on our appearance. Our Los Angeles eye experts at Eyesthetica give you a few of those preventative tips in this post.
Apply a Brightening Eye Cream
Dark circles are often caused by thinning, crepe-like skin under the eyes that reveal the blood vessels underneath, giving the appearance of darkness under the eyes. An eye cream with collagen-producing ingredients like vitamin C and retinol will help build up the skin in the under-eye area so that the blood vessels aren’t as visible. At Eyesthetica, we offer SkinMedica skincare, including their TNS Illuminating Eye Cream and the TNS Eye Repair, both of which contain the ingredients hydroxysuccinimide and chrysin, a combination that reduces the appearance of dark circles by reducing the accumulation of the blood vessels under the eyes. The TNS Eye Repair cream also contains vitamin C for further collagen repair.
Sleep More, and Use More Pillows
Lack of sleep is another cause of dark under-eye circles. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces the hormone cortisol, which increases the volume of blood in your body, including the blood vessels under your eyes which then become engorged and can be seen through the skin, showing up as dark circles. Aiming for a steady seven to nine hours of sleep a night will help to prevent these circles from appearing on your face. For maximum results at bedtime, elevate your head with two or three pillows to drain the fluid that accumulates under your eyes due to water retention. This will help to eliminate under-eye bags that cast dark shadows.
Get Your Allergies Under Control
Another common cause of dark under-eye circles is allergies. Nasal congestion caused by allergies dilates the veins and increases the blood flow to the nose, which enlarges the blood vessels around the eyes and results in dark circles. Take antihistamines for seasonal allergies or go to the doctor and get tested for food allergies, so you will know which foods to reduce or avoid in your diet. The allergy may also be caused by chemicals or other types of irritants in your environment, which can also be tested by your doctor.
Use a Cold Compress on Your Eyes
As dark under-eye circles are often caused by swollen blood vessels that are visible in the under-eye region, applying a cold compress to your eyes will help reduce the swelling that contributes to their dark color. You can use a frozen ice pack or a clean washcloth filled with ice. Green tea bags that have been steeped in cold water or placed in the freezer can also work as the perfect disposable eye compresses. And since green tea is rich in antioxidants, it will soothe the eye area and aid in the prevention of wrinkles and fine lines.
Consider a More Permanent Fix
Do fixes of other eye problems — like puffy bags and drooping, hanging eyelids — elude you? For a solution that is long-lasting, consider talking to your Eyesthetica surgeon about having a blepharoplasty (eyelid) procedure. Schedule a consultation today by contacting our practice at (213) 451-6824.