By Jennifer Gilbert, Fitness Magazine
Dark
circles can appear suddenly due to age, fatigue, or allergies. Here are
some natural techniques for removing dark circles and making your
racoon eyes radiant again.
Dark
circles are adorable on a furry raccoon, but when they're around your
eyes there's nothing cute about them! Dark circles appear when the blood
vessels under your eyes enlarge due to factors such as age, genetics,
fatigue, or allergies. Although dark circles around the eyes can come on
suddenly, there are some effective natural remedies for removing dark
circles. Here are six easy ways to get rid of dark circles forever.
Dietary Changes
According to The Dermatology Review, lowering your salt intake
can help reduce dark circles. Vitamin C-rich fruits, such as oranges,
can increase collagen production and firm up the skin under your eyes. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetical suggests using licorice root to reduce bulging blood vessels
under the eyes. For this easy DIY treatment, brew two bags of licorice
tea; when cooled, place the tea bags over your eyelids for 20 minutes.
Cosmetic Peels
Cosmetic peels can reduce age lines and increase skin pigmentation. The Indian Journal of Medical Research
recommends a salicylic acid peel for removing dark circles, which is
derived from natural ingredients like willow bark. You can do a home
treatment or a professional spa application. During a spa treatment, an
esthetician applies a small amount of salicylic acid onto a cotton swab
and applies the solution under your eyes. Spa packages generally cost
around $300 dollars for a series of 5-6 treatments. Home treatments are
considerably less expensive and cost approximately $20.
Extra Shut Eye
Fatigue is a common reason for dark circles under the eyes. The Mayo
Clinic recommends adults get 7- 8 hours of sleep per night. If you are
still tired after a full night's sleep, the Mayo Clinic advises seeking
additional lifestyles changes for removing dark circles. Chronic fatigue
can be a result of too little or too much exercise, so it's important
to examine your daily activity level if you are in a constant state of
exhaustion.
Intense Pulse Light Treatments
This non-invasive treatment uses a high-energy light wave to soothe the
skin under the eyes. The light wave constricts blood vessels under the
eyes, in order to reduce discoloration. For best results, this procedure
is performed at a medical spa in a series of appointments. The number
of applications needed depends on factors such as age, diet, and overall
health of the patient. Treatments can be costly, averaging
approximately $200 per appointment.
Change Your Sleep Position
According to Dermatology News, your nightly sleep position can
cause dark circles to develop under your eyes. Sleeping on your stomach
or side causes fluids to build up under your eyes. If possible, sleep on
your back and use an additional pillow to prop your head.
Use a Cold Compress
Cold compresses can constrict leaking blood vessels and reduce puffiness under the eyes, reveals Dermatology News.
If you don't have a cold compress available, you can use items found in
your freezer; a frozen bag of veggies, chilled cucumbers, or potato
slices may work well—potatoes also contain natural bleaching agents. To
perform a DIY natural bleaching treatment, first, juice the potato, then
dip a cotton swab into the juice and gently apply to the skin under
your eyes to diminish dark circles.
