The presence of dark circles around the eyes may signify the thinning of the lower eyelid, the transparency of the skin, the dilation of underlying blood vessels or the effects of sun damage. Each of these factors can produce unwanted discoloration associated with tiredness and aging. Thankfully, there are a handful of solutions that you can use to alleviate yourself of dark circles.
Cold Presses
Dampen a washcloth or teabag with cold water and press it gently against your lower eyelid. The Mayo Clinic advises that the coolness will help to constrict the underlying blood vessels, which may have been dilated. Once these vessels become smaller, the darker hues will fade to a moderate extent. Note, however, that extremely cold temperatures may damage the skin, so do not hold ice, or icy water, against the eyelid for a prolonged period.
Sleep Better
Although tiredness does not actually cause dark circles, fatigue may decrease blood circulation, resulting in paler, more transparent skin, which more easily reveals the bluish tones of the underlying blood vessels. To prevent this, the Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding short nights of rest. Also, keep your head elevated to reduce the appearance of bagginess from fluids that may gather beneath the lower eyelids during the night.
Sunscreen
For certain individuals, the skin around the eyes may contain higher levels of melanin, producing darker pigmentation when exposed to the sun. Make sure to cover up your eye region with a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher to limit the amount of darkening around the eyes.
Topical Creams
Topical creams containing vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C and retinol may inflame the lower eyelid, causing it to increase in volume. This increase reduces the thinness of the lower eye, lessening the effects of any underlying blood vessels. Read the label of any drugstore eye creams to determine if they contain the ingredients that can possibly help you.
Camouflage
While treatments do exist, they may not be as fast-acting or as effective as simply masking your dark circles with a concealer. Choose a makeup that blends well with your skin tones and dab it over the darker areas. Any over-the-counter makeup will work, but avoid scented ones which may irritate the eye with glycolic acid.
Surgery
In extreme cases, surgical procedures known as fillers can transfer fat from one area of the body to the regions around the eyes. Dermatologist Dr. Audrey Kunin of DERMAdoctor.com says fat transplantation works best when puffiness is not already an issue. It helps to reduce shadows due to the hallowing of the eye region and reduces the appearance of underlying veins. However, it does not last forever and will need to be performed again once the transplanted fat diminishes.
