How To Reduce The Appearance Of Dark Circles

Are you tired of concealing the under-eye dark circles every day? There are numerous causes behind these imperfections and these are totally outside anyone’s control. There is no need to be insecure about dark circles because a stressful lifestyle, ad-hoc diet and demanding routine does bring a toil on the skin. Investing some time in self-care can make oneself confident and comfortable in their skin.

The answer to the question ‘how to remove dark circles under the eyes permanently’ is by following only one routine in skin care, diet or attaining mental peace. Stop testing new products every month, stop consuming food that doesn’t work well with your digestive system, and put less stress on your body and the mind. Hence, fret no more as we have got this topic covered. We have provided dark circles home remedies and tips on how to remove dark circles at home in this article.

Causes of Dark Circles

There are several reasons why dark circles start emerging in the under-eye region. Some of those causes are mentioned below. If they can be prevented somehow, dark circles can be cured without any treatment.

1. Lack of sleep: Working professionals or students find it hard to get adequate sleep, which might cause dark circles sooner or later.

2. Stress: Stress due to work, studies or any other problems can affect the mind and cause dark circles.

3. Sun exposure: Exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays can damage the delicate and sensitive tissues under the eyes.

4. Anaemia: Anaemia or iron deficiency prevents the proper supply of oxygen to the body tissues, which leads to dark circles.

5. Genetic factors: This cause cannot be prevented. If most of the members in a household have dark circles, it is going to be transferred to other generations through the genes. Luckily, there are a lot of treatments available for this.

6. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: This type of hyperpigmentation is caused by rubbing or scratching the skin under the eyes.

7. Eczema or other allergies: Eczema causes skin dryness, pigmentation and dark circles in people with a darker skin tone.

8. Habits: Intake of intoxicating items and not sticking to a balanced diet can affect the stomach, which directly affects the face.

Now that the causes are clear and dark circles have already made their home under the eyes, the tips for the question ’how to remove dark circles permanently’ can be revealed.

How to Remove Dark Circles Permanently: 8 Effective Tips

People often search for ways ‘how to remove dark circles overnight’. But practically, this is impossible. What has taken time to appear will take some time to vanish. Hence, one should not expect any magic to happen overnight. Small and consistent steps will gradually help you in reversing dark circles and eventually cure them. Thus, we have provided a few effective tips for dark circles home remedies that can help you in removing dark circles permanently.

1. Getting enough sleep

Can you really remove dark circles overnight? The answer is, yes, by getting a minimum of 6 hours of sleep or a maximum of 8 hours of sleep at night, every night. Certain lifestyle priorities like work and studies or habits like binge-watching a show at night can lead to a depreciation in the quality and quantity of sleep. A study from PubMed Central has revealed that adequate sleep and good health reduce periorbital hyperpigmentation.

2. Applying cold compresses

Vasculature (a system of blood vessels and lymph vessels) under the eyes can lead to swelling, which causes discolouration. It is suggested to use cold compresses in the morning and night-time skincare routine to reduce vasculature. Cold compresses also help to reduce the puffiness around the eyes that occur in the morning or after spending hours in front of the screen.

3. Minimising sun exposure

People with heavy melanin secretion under the eyes worsen their dark circles by stepping out in the sun without proper sun protection. Wearing sunglasses or hats before going out and using a good amount of SPF-based moisturisers (recommended are the moisturisers containing SPF 50 PA++++) can prevent sun damage.

4. Elevating the head during sleep

As discussed before, people with an increased vasculature notice darkness under the eyes and swelling in the morning, which fades later in the day. They can solve this issue by elevating their head while sleeping, which will increase the blood flow in the vessels and help reduce the swelling and change in colour.

5. Cold tea bags

If you are looking for a dark circles home remedy then this is one of the ways. Some people with dark circles use an eye mask made of frozen tea bags. According to PubMed Central, caffeinated tea bags provide the same result as cold compresses to help reduce swelling, allergic reactions, and inflammation. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels and gives a fresh youthful glow to the skin.

6. Vitamin C and cucumbers

An affordable dark circles home remedy is using cucumber. The cold temperature of frozen cucumber slices reduces morning swelling and the reaction of eczema. Vitamin C increases collagen production under the eyes which decreases the effect of discoloration and reveals a naturally brighter color. What to use? The suggestion is Vitamin C-infused moisturizers and serums.

7. Vitamin K

A study conducted by the trusted dermatologists of the National Library of Medicine revealed that the use of eye masks with 3 per cent caffeine and 1 per cent Vitamin K in your night-time skincare routine reduces eye dark circles. They do not fade completely but there was a reduction in their appearance in comparison.

8. A balanced diet

If you are thinking of how to remove dark circles at home then this is the answer. Including vitamin c packed food (like broccoli, pineapple, cauliflower, tomatoes, and strawberries), vitamin k packed food (like eggplant, celery, oregano, grapes, cucumber, pear, and plum), vitamin e rich food (like milk, nuts, and eggs), food with sleep aids (like almonds, honey, chamomile, and oats) or dark chocolates in the diet reduces the signs of dark circles from the skin gradually. The key is to stick to the diet.

That was the answer to ‘how to remove dark circles permanently?’ However, there are some cases like genetic factors or other allergic reactions where these tips do not show any improvement. Read to find out if it is time to seek professional help.

Other Ways to Remove Dark Circles

When to See a Dermatologist?

Dark circles are not dangerous. They do not determine a person’s health. In some cases, people visit the doctors for cosmetic purposes, other times they notice a change in their health that somehow affects the entire body, including the face. Here are some cases where it becomes necessary to seek a dermatologist.

1. Change in mental health

Noticeable signs of bad mental health are stress, seasonal insomnia, chronic fatigue and lack of motivation to do anything. The dermatologist can classify the type of dark circles and suggest suitable treatments.

2. Bad health

Oftentimes, the cause of dark circles is a bad sleeping schedule, but other times, they are indicating the possibility of heart, kidney or liver disease. In these cases, it is better to seek a doctor.

3. Genetic factors

Genetic factors that lead to darkening of the under eyes cannot be solved in an instant. In such cases, none of the remedies works and it becomes essential to seek a dermatologist. They may suggest a few non-invasive treatments like intense pulsed light treatment, pulsed dye laser treatment, q-switched laser treatment or the use of radiofrequency to reduce dark circles.

Some celebrities and known figures use the following invasive cosmetic procedures to maintain a good appearance:

1. Medical tattoos

2. Soft hyaluronic acid gel fillers

3. Chemical peels

4. Surgeries

5. Implants

6. Ablative laser resurfacing; and

7. Fat transfer surgery

These treatments are suggested to be performed only in extreme cases.

Conclusion

Dark circles make your appearance look dull. But just like any other condition that is believed to be an imperfection, they are also a part of the human body. Still, some people try to hide or treat them. It is important to remember that dark circles are completely harmless and they can be removed permanently by an improved quality of life.

All the treatments mentioned above are safe to use, however, their effectiveness is not 100 per cent guaranteed.

FAQs

How can I remove my dark circles?

Dark circles can be removed by bringing a change in the sleep schedule, by taking adequate sun exposure, including vitamins C and K in the skincare routine, and by following a balanced diet.

What causes dark circles under the eyes?

There is not a single factor that causes dark circles. There are many. From lack of sleep and stress to allergies, iron deficiency and liver malfunction.

How to remove dark circles permanently?

Dark circles can be removed permanently by eating and drinking properly, getting adequate sleep and reducing stress. In other cases, cosmetic procedures performed by dermatologists can also help dark circles disappear.

Are dark circles hereditary?

In some cases, dark circles are hereditary. If the family has a history of dark circles, they can appear in the person from early childhood and worsen with time if no treatment is provided.

Which vitamin is helpful for dark circles?

The five vitamins that play a huge role in removing dark circles are vitamins C, K, E, B3 and B12. They can be used in skincare or become a part of the daily diet.