Lighten up Your Dark Circles
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It’s time to lighten up! Your under-eyes, that is.
Millions of people around the world are forced to tote around heavy, dark circles and struggle to find a perfect, long-term solution.
Well, stow away your concealer and listen up because I have compiled the perfect tips to help your eyes shine bright and beautiful.
Causes
The first step to correcting any problem is determining what the cause is. Dark under-eyes are primarily caused by the following:
Allergies
As the season change, new allergens begin to populate, which can cause allergic reactions to flare up. When you become congested and your nasal pressure increases, it can prevent blood from draining properly. VeryWell goes on to explain that this blood then pools in the veins and capillaries underneath the eyes, which makes them appear darker.
Lack of Sleep
Getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep is difficult but not doing will show under your eyes. According to Renée Rouleau, “not getting enough sleep can lead to dark circles. When you lack sleep, your body’s circulatory system is compromised, and you get stagnant blood vessels under the eyes because they haven’t drained properly.”
Aging
As we age, our skin looses collagen and fat, which maintains our skin’s elasticity. According to Lisa Hartman of Soignex-Vouz Aesthetics, this process is called cellular aging, which is where “the cells that turn over aren’t quite as robust as previous ones.”
Genetics
Family history and inherited traits can play a major role in the development in dark circles. According to Healthline, predispositions to medical conditions such as hyperpigmentation and thyroid disease can increase your chances for this problem.
Dehydration
Experts say we should be drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water a day. When you start to skimp on your intake here and there, the skin beneath the eyes begins to dull and creates a sullen appearance.
Other causes can vary from dehydration, eye strain, sun exposure, anemia, and asthma as well.
At-Home Treatments
Treatments can depend on the cause but there are a few remedies you can try from the comfort of your own home.
Elevate your Head
It may seem silly but a great at-home trick for alleviating darkness under your eyes is to add an extra pillow under your head while you sleep. By doing this and laying on your back, you can prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes, which can make them swollen and tired.
Soak with Tea Bags
Place brewed, and cooled, Green or Black tea bags over your eyelids for a few minutes at a time According to WebMD, tea fights the inflammation that may ease puffiness and darkness. The high amounts of caffeine will also tighten blood vessels.
Cold Compress
Before going to bed, dampen a wash cloth with cold water and place it under your eyes for about 15-20 minutes. Doing so a few times a week will reduce swelling and shrink dilated blood vessels.
Take an Antihistamine
If your dark circles are the result of allergies, pop open a bottle of antihistamines like Allegra or Zyrtec. These can block the release of histamines and leave your eyes feeling and looking much better.
Must-Have Products
There are a number of different products on the market that claim to fix this common skin issue. Finding the perfect choice may be difficult so here are the ones I highly recommend:
Retinol- RAGS II Riches Retinol Cremé de la Cremé ($180)
Retinol is filled with anti-aging properties and a is magical ingredient in MANY different products to treat a wide range of skin issues- including under eyes!
This retinol cream from my RAGS II Riches collection is an exfoliant derived from vitamin A to build collagen, accelerate cell turnover and brighten up your skin.
Jade Roller- Herbivore Jade Facial Roller ($30.00)
Jade rollers, staples in Chinese skin care, have become very popular lately because of their ability to improve skin elasticity and reducing under-eye circles.
According to Herbivore, the best way to use the product with a drop of facial oil to help the roller glide with ease and to place the stone in the refrigerator for extra cooling effects, which decreases inflammation.
Hyaluronic Acid- Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream ($18.00)
Hyaluronic Acid creates lubrication in the vitreous humor in the eye, skin and joints, which makes it a commonly used ingredient in eye creams.
According to Mario Badescu, this cream uses both Euphrasia Extract and Aloe Vera to help brighten and soothe your delicate under-eyes.
Spa Treatments
If you are looking for professional assistance, SkinSpaMED provides a number of treatments that can brighten up your under-eye as well.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a great option to reduce the dark pigmentation around your eyes.
TCA and glycolic chemical peels remove the outermost layers of skin to erase fine lines, improve pores, and soften the appearance of scar tissue. Peels can improve the skin’s overall appearance, giving you a smooth, more youthful glow. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, causing it to “blister,” shed old and dead skin, and eventually peel off, unveiling fresh skin underneath. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin, leaving you with beautiful skin to rave about.
Fruit enzyme peels are the all-natural alternative to regenerate skin elasticity, eliminate sun damage, and refresh the skin.
Microneedling
Micro-needling uses the Rejuvepen to stimulate the collagen and elastin in your skin. The procedure uses 12 small needles to break down old scar tissue and stimulate new cells. Cell regeneration is activated during treatment, which helps to absorb the product into the skin.
You’ll leave with your under-eyes looking plump, luxurious, and refreshed!
Tissue Fillers
JUVÉDERM® is the smooth gel filler option that is a safe and effective way to replace the Hyaluronic Acid your skin has looses with age. It will bring back its volume and giving youthful results that will last up to a year.
Another option we use is RADIESSE® Volumizing Filler, which acts as a scaffold under the skin, providing structure and stimulating your own natural collagen to grow.
Laser
Lasers, such as the SmartXide DOT treatment can be a great option as well. It offers the ultimate in skin rejuvenation in just under an hour for most treatments. Not only does the DOT offer amazing results, but it does so safely and quickly with little downtime.
To schedule any appointment, or to learn more about how these treatments can help you, visit the SkinSpaMED website or call our Dallas location at (972) 392-3895, or Colleyville at (817) 281-8181.
