Do you often wake up with puffy or swollen eyes and feel self-conscious about the dark circles under your eyes? Well, you're not alone! We have some easy and effective tips and tricks to banish dark circles and restore a fresh, youthful look to your eyes. Whether you're looking to refresh your morning routine or just need a quick pick-me-up, these tips will help you achieve the radiant complexion you deserve.
So What Are Dark Circles?
Dark circles and puffiness under the eyes become more of an issue as you age. Younger skin looks fuller and will bounce back after a good night’s sleep, as you age your skin becomes thinner and more transparent. The tender skin under your eyes is often one of the first places you will see your skin thinning, as the skin becomes transparent the underlying blood vessels become more visible casting dark shadows under your eyes. As you age and your skin thins, the bone under your eye can also show through the skin, making your skin look darker. Dark circles are often considered an indication of tiredness, however there can be a number of reasons why your eyes are looking tired.
Why Do You Get Dark Circles?
Tiredness & fatigue
Just a few hours of missed sleep can bring on dark circles. Without sleep your skin will pale and become dull, making blood vessels more visible under the skin. Your eyes may also retain fluid when you are tired, puffiness under your eye or in your eyelids may cast shadows in the eye area.
Allergies
Eyes are prone to irritation and inflammation from the environment including pollution, pollen, wind or bright sunlight. When irritated your eyes can become itchy, red and or puffy. The swollen area may appear darker, rubbing irritated eyes will also reduce the elasticity in your skin.
Eye Strain
Staring at a screen for prolonged periods can enlarge blood vessels, darkening the appearance of your skin.
Dehydration
Your skin needs to be hydrated to look bright and full. Without being well hydrated your skin will look dull and sunken.
Ok, So How Can I Treat My Dark Circles?
First lets explore a few lifestyle changes that help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Get enough sleep
One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the appearance of dark circles is to get plenty of sleep. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. If you have trouble sleeping, try to create a relaxing bedtime routine that includes activities such as reading, meditation or listening to soothing music.
Stay hydrated
Another important step in reducing dark circles is to stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and try to avoid dehydrating drinks such as coffee, alcohol, and soda. Drinking water can also help reduce puffiness and inflammation around the eyes.
Protect your eyes
Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat when outdoors. Always apply sunscreen around your eye area. Sun damage can make dark circles worse over time.
But if I wake up with dark circles, what can I do for a quick solution?
Ice & cold therapy
If you're looking for a fast and effective way to reduce the appearance of dark circles, cryotherapy may be a good option. This treatment involves exposing the skin to extremely cold temperatures in order to stimulate collagen production, improve circulation and give instant visible results. A cryotherapy facial or cold compresses can help to reduce inflammation and shrink blood vessels around the eyes, providing a short-term firming of the skin. Additionally, cold temperatures can also help to reduce redness and cause your pores to contract. It's a quick and non-invasive solution that is best combined with a healthy lifestyle and consistent skincare routine.
Makeup
For a temporary solution and coverup a good concealer can do the trick.
When choosing a concealer to hide dark circles, it's important to look for a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone to help brighten the under eye area, has a yellow or peach undertone to neutralize the blue or purple tones of dark circles. Always apply concealer after your moisturiser and before your foundation or powder, using a small brush or your ring finger to apply the concealer to the dark circles, gently patting and blending it into the skin.
LED Light Therapy
At home LED light Therapy masks are the holy grail of skincare. They use different wavelengths of light to target specific skin concerns, sRed light therapy is believed to be the most effective wavelength for treating dark circles, as it can help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. Blue light therapy can also be helpful, as it can help to reduce puffiness and improve the overall appearance of the under eye area.
Typically, a treatment session lasts around 10-15 minutes, and it's recommended to use the mask 2-3 times a week. Consistent use will supply a deeper and effective treatment to your skin.
Should I Be Using An Eye Cream Or Serum?
Creams and serums can certainly help, they are also a great preventative for further damage by keeping your eye area hydrated. Look for products that contain ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, retinol, and niacinamide which can help to improve the appearance of dark circles by reducing the appearance of broken blood vessels and increasing collagen production.
What If You Want Something Immediate And Permanent?
You may need to consider medical intervention. If you do want to undertake a medical procedure you should always use a reputable practitioner and fully understand any risks involved in the procedure. Below are a few options you may consider:
Chemical Peel: will remove some layers of the skin, giving you fresh new skin that can appear to look more healthy and brighter
Laser resurfacing: will use a laser to take layers from your skin, ultimately encouraging new skin growth that is brighter, with less pigmentation, wrinkles and firmer than the previous layer
Dermal fillers: add volume and lift the skin from the bone and above the blood vessels to lighten the skin and decrease the appearance of dark circles, fillers will also decrease wrinkles
What’s The Best Way To Treat Dark Circles?
When it comes to treating dark circles, there are many options available. However, we recommend starting with some basic lifestyle changes that can not only improve the appearance of dark circles, but also benefit your overall health. A good night's sleep, staying hydrated and protecting your eyes from the sun are all simple steps that can make a big difference. Ultimately, the best approach will vary from person to person, but incorporating these habits into your routine is a great place to start.
Here is a step-by-step skincare routine that can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles:
Cleanse: Start by cleaning your face with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser. This will remove any dirt, oil, or makeup that may be clogging your pores and contributing to the appearance of dark circles.
Tone: Use a toner to balance your skin's pH and prep your skin for the next steps.
Eye cream: Apply a hydrating eye cream specifically formulated for dark circles, containing ingredients such as Vitamin K, retinol and niacinamide. Gently pat the cream around your eyes, being careful not to pull or tug on the delicate skin in this area.
Serum: Apply a serum containing antioxidants, Vitamin C and/or Ferulic acid to help brighten the skin, boost collagen production and protect the skin from environmental damage.
Cryotherapy facial: Gently glide the spoons from the chin to the ears. Then sweep from the forehead to the ears. Repeat each section five to 10 times.
Moisturiser: Apply a moisturiser to lock in hydration and protect your skin from the elements.
Sunscreen: Apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun and prevent further damage.
Sleep: Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
Stay hydrated: Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and try to avoid dehydrating drinks such as coffee, alcohol, and soda.
Healthy diet: Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, it can help to reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles.
BONUS STEP: LED Light Therapy Mask: Use mask for 10 minutes, 3 times a week after cleansing and before applying sunscreen.
Consistency is key when it comes to skincare, as it allows your skin to adjust to the products you are using and reap the benefits over time. It's important to be patient and not expect overnight miracles, but with a consistent routine and patience, you should start to see improvements in your skin's appearance
