How to get rid of dark circles under the eyes
IT'S been a long and tiring year - and there's nothing worse than seeing it take its toll on your face.
But what are the best ways to get rid of those thick, dark circles when they appear under your eyes?
What causes dark circles under the eyes?
There are a multitude of contributing factors for why someone gets dark circles - here are some of the most common causes.
Fatigue, is one sure cause for the dark circles forming under your eyes. This can stem from oversleeping or staying up past your normal bedtime.
Sleep deprivation is also known to cause skin to become dull and pale which reveals the darker tissues and blood vessels beneath your skin.
Lack of sleep can contribute to dark circles forming as it can cause fluid to build under the eyes which result in shadows cast by your puffy eyelids.
Age is sadly another factor as with age your skin becomes thinner which makes the dark blood vessels beneath your skin more visible.
Eye strains from spending hours looking at your computer screen or TV can cause blood vessels around your eyes to enlarge and darken the surrounding skin.
Allergic reactions and eye dryness can also trigger dark circles to appear as your body releases histamines as a response to harmful bacteria.
Dehydration is a common cause too as the skin beneath your eyes begins to look dull due to a lack of water.
What is the best way to get rid of dark circles under the eyes?
A cold compress is one of the best ways to get rid of dark circles as it can help reduce swelling and shrink dilated blood vessels which can also make your eyes look less puffy.
Simply wrap a few ice cubes in a washcloth and dab it on your eyes and repeat the process for 20 minutes.
Get some extra sleep. This sounds obvious enough but catching up on sleep can be an effective way of reducing the appearance of dark circles.
Sleep deprivation can cause your skin to look pale and resting between seven and eight hours can prevent the dark circles from appearing.
How you sleep can also impact the formation of dark circles - elevating your head with a few pillows can make a massive difference.
Cold tea bags. Soaking your eyes with cold tea bags can improve how the black circles appear as they contain caffeine and antioxidants that help stimulate blood circulation.
Soak two black or green tea bags in hot water for five minutes before putting it in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Once it’s cold apply the tea bags to your eyes for 20 minutes and watch the magic happen.
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Make-up is also a great and quick way to conceal dark circles if you don’t have much time.
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While cosmetics don’t cure black circles, products like concealers can effectively cover any dark marks and look totally natural.
There are also permanent solutions to remove black circles, such as chemical peels which reduce pigmentation and laser surgery which enhance skin tightening.