Dark Circles?

Are you plagued with dark circles under your eyes? We all find we are in that dilemma at one time or another. Even though it’s not dangerous to your health, there can be psychological effects as how you see yourself and what others think when they meet you. Us women try to hide the dark circles by packing on the makeup so no one can tell. That doesn’t last long or either looks like you may have put on your war paint. There are some other things you can do to minimize the appearance of those dark circles. Not all are easy and may be a bit more challenging.

Two Types Of Dark Eye Circles

Dark circles vary, depending with the difference in thickness of the skin surrounding the eyes, called the periorbital area. The thinner skin means the blood vessels under your skin are more visible to the naked eye and produce a different color to your skin. The tissue below the outside layer of skin, called the subcutaneous tissue, only allows blue or violet wavelengths to pass through, thus your veins appearing blue because only the blue light is reflected back. This also depends upon how dark or light your skin is.

There is a second type of circle that is caused from hyperpigmentation of the skin and more commonly brown in color. This is the result of more melanin being produced in the skin. Usually this is more noticeable in those people with dark skin or who has more pigmentation. Dark circles of this type are temporary and resolved after the irritant has been removed. Some temporary and permanent triggers are:

  • Sun exposure
  • Genetic pigmentation
  • Dermal melanocytosis
  • Allergic dermatitis
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Edema
  • Drugs
  • Aging
  • Hormones

The dark circles may also be triggered from the oxidation of blood leaking from the blood vessels around the eyes and can also cause swelling and bags under your eyes. This can occur when the body attempts to clear blood leakage from a thin-skinned area easily affected by gravity. And don’t we all know about “gravity”? If you have the bags or swelling under the eyes, this will also make the appearance of dark circles more noticeable. Now, how can we lighten those dark circles? Try to avoid rubbing your eyes, manage your allergies, switch the way you sleep, remove your makeup gently, reduce alcohol consumption, wear eye protection, reduce or quit smoking, reduce indoor air pollution, use a soothing eye treatment. This last may include dabbing on honey before bedtime, cucumber slices, almond oil, buttermilk & turmeric, avocado, mint leaves, black tea bags and potatoes or tomatoes. Just soak a cotton ball in the juice of the latter, squeeze out and rest them over your dark circles for 10 minutes, then rinse.

I guess we are all destined to share in some of this unpleasantness as we reach that “older” stage of life, but isn’t it better than the alternative? We can all exist with a happy and healthful life, as I believe it’s what is inside that counts and not our outside imperfections.

Img c/o Pexels.