Dark Circles under the Eyes are Easily Treatable
Dark circles under the eyes are not a serious medical problem, but the reaction of plenty of people facing the reality of these circles is panic followed by a deep concern over the cosmetic implications of these circles. If you are experiencing this problem, take a deep breath. Generally the problem is short-term and may be treatable at home with a number of proven remedies.
The appearance of these dark areas below the eyes seems to run in families, particularly those with light skin. It’s in the genes. As we get older, skin around our eyes gets to be thinner, making the actual arteries much more visible. The bluish color of the blood in these vessels gives rise to the appearance of these dark areas. The problem is often exacerbated in people who spend a lot of time outdoors in direct sunlight, as the sun’s ray can also weaken the skin.
While the conditions mentioned above are characteristic causes of the dark circles, there are other specific causes that affect certain people. In some people with this problem, fluid collects in the lower eyelids when they lie down to sleep. This can cause the eyelids to swell creating the appearance of dark areas. Atopic eczema, recognized by the presence of red, flaky, and itchy skin is another cause that is specific to some people. Particular diseases in the cardiovascular system and renal system can also be a contributor, and the usual culprits of smoking, drinking alcohol to excess, and excessive salt use can typically aggravate the problem.
Reducing the Black Circles Under Your Eyes
Regardless of what the causes are in your particular case, there are a multitude of remedies that have shown to be successful. It’s simply a matter of trying a few at a time until you find the treatments most beneficial to your particular situation. Some of the more effective remedies and behavioral changes are discussed below.
Drink lots of water. This is universally the most overlooked component of a good diet. Water is critical to the entire body. Just remember to drink no fewer than eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Unless you take in plenty of water the skin will appear tired and stressed, especially around the eyes.
Ration your time on the computer or watching the television set. Staring at a CRT for an extended time can cause eye strain and enhance those dark areas. If you need to wear glasses, make sure that you do, and constantly wear top quality eyeglasses when outdoors during the good weather. When you’re outside, protect the skin area below the eyes by applying a good SPF-30 or higher sun screen.
Just be sure you get all of the sleep that you need. Most people required from seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep to maintain good health. Good sleep habits alone have been known to cure the dark circle problem for some people.
Certain eye creams, moisturizers, and vitamin applications are excellent treatments for dark circles under the eyes. When using these treatments, it is recommended that the creams and moisturizers be removed after about ten minutes. Vitamin E and vitamin K creams are especially effective at nourishing the skin below the eyes. Crushed mint has also proven to be effective when applied around the eyes, and can be left in place for twenty minutes instead of the ten minutes recommended for other creams.
Cucumber slices placed over the eyes are often portrayed in movies as a conceit of the idle rich, but it is actually an excellent treatment for those dark areas. Cucumbers are mostly water, and fresh slices serve to hydrate the skin around the eyes.
A little known most effective treatment for Dark Circles under the Eyes is the application of almond oil. It is probably the most appropriate therapy for the skin in general. Try a nightly routine of massaging a small amount of oil into the dark circles around the eye. Do this just before you pull up the covers to sleep, and rinse the area thoroughly in the morning when you arise.
