Dark Eye Circles - Tips

Under Eye Dark Circles - Treatment Tips

Causes-
Dark unsightly circles around the eyes can leave you looking ill, haggard and depressed. While there can be many causes for dark eye circles, the upshot is that you end up looking older than you probably are. Look for ways to camouflage the dark under eye circles. Find out simple home remedies to reduce the dark under eye circles and add sparkle to your eyes.
Dark Eye Circle -
The skin below our eyes is thin and is not as well endowed with oil glands as the rest of the body. Consequently as we age, the skin gets dry and wrinkled. As a result, the veins in the lower eye area appear more prominent. This results in dark circles under the eyes. There are many factors that lead to dark circles.
Heredity – Dark under eye circles are often an inherited trait. Those who are prone to allergies or itchy skin condition are susceptible to dark circles since inflammation and rubbing of eyes can thicken and darken the skin around them. Some food allergies can also cause the area under the eyes to appear darker. Excess folds of skin under the eyes will also make dark circles more pronounced.
Lack of Sleep – Lack of sleep and fatigue can cause the skin to grow wan and pale. This makes blood vessels under the eyes to appear more visible and dark. The paleness that occurs with fatigue, a cold or sinus infection or during menstruation or pregnancy may accentuate the circles under the eyes. Partying all night and smoking can play havoc with your skin and result in dark eye circles.
Bone Structure – Deep set eyes may have a tendency to develop dark shadows under them. In fair-skinned persons, dark eyes become more obvious.
Sun Exposure – Increased exposure to the sun can draw pigmentation the skin’s surface and create dark circles.
Medication – Drugs that cause blood vessels to dilate may result in darkening circles around the eyes.
Nutrition – Dark circle around the eyes can be the result of poor nutrition.
Hormonal Changes – Since the skin undergoes changes during pregnancy and menstruation, you may notice darkening of the circles under the eyes.

Combat Dark Eye Circles -
Combat dark circles under your eyes with simple tips:

Drink nearly 10 glasses of water everyday.
Ensure that you get good rest and adequate sleep.
Eat vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A.
Consume a nutritionally balanced diet.
Tips 1: Grate 2' piece of cucumber. Squeeze through a muslin cloth and extract the juice. Dip cotton pads in this and place on eyelids. Relax for 15 minutes.
Tips 2: Take 1 tspn Tomato pulp,1 pinch of Turmeric powder ½ tspn of limejuice and 1 tspn of gram flour. Make a paste and apply gently. Remove gently with moist cotton pads after ½ an hour.
Tips 3: Soak 2 Almonds overnight. Peel and grind to a smooth paste. Add a few drops of limejuice to this Apply for 20-25 minutes. This should be followed daily and gradually after 2 weeks, every 3rd day and finally when the difference is visible, to once aeek. A paste of Almonds can be stored in a clean bottle in the 'fridge.
Tips 4: Apply a paste made by crushing a handful of Mint leaves.

Dip wads of cotton in a chilled mixture of cucumber and potato juice. Keep this on your eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes and gently wash it off. Apply a little baby oil.
For long eyelashes, apply a thin coat of castor oil every night. It strengthens lashes and cools your eyes.
Massage a few drops of coconut oil around the eyes to get rid off dark circles.
To reduce puffiness of your eyes, grate a potato; tie in a cloth and place the cloth over your eyes for about 15 minutes.
Add a small pinch of salt in water and wash for bright and sparkling eyes.
Mix tomato juice and lemon juice in equal quantity and apply around the eyes. After 30 minutes wash it off with cold and hot water alternatively.
Make a paste of sandal wood and nutmeg. Apply the paste around the eyes before sleeping and wash it off in the morning.
Crush a cucumber and take the juice. Add a little rose water and apply around the eyes and wash it after 30 minutes.
Place cotton wool swabs dipped in cold milk on closed eyes for removing dark circles.
Treatments & Remedies -

Dark Circles can be removed by applying peeled and grated potato overnight at least three times a week.
Make cotton pads and dip them in cucumber juice. Place on your eyes for 15 minutes. The effect is cooling and relaxes your eyes.
Massaging eyes with almond oil is of great help. Massage at bed time daily, and in two weeks you will see the difference.
Dark circles can be removed by doing pranayam daily for at least five minutes.
Pressing the mount below index finger of the palm is good for eyesight and removing dark circles.
When stressed, keep your eyes covered with cucumber slices for some time.
Dip cotton balls in rose water and keep for 5-10 minutes. Drink as much water as you can drink.
Dip cotton balls in chilled water and keep for 5-10 minutes on the eyes.
Take a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and avoid reading late at night, lying down.
Every morning, after washing your face, gently apply mixture of equal parts of tomato and lime juice; wash after half an hour.
Alternate hot and cold compresses under your eyes for 10 minutes. Then apply a teaspoon of almond oil mixed with half teaspoon of lime juice on the dark surface every night before going to bed.
For cooling effect to eyes paste of the herb nutmeg (Jaiphala) made with milk may be applied all around the eyes and over the eyelids.

Home Remedies - Probably the most popular home remedy for dark eye circles is to apply slices of raw potato or cucumber over the eyelids for about 15 minutes. Grated raw potato wrapped in cheesecloth can also be used. Potatoes contain catecholase, an enzyme that is used as a skin lightener in many cosmetics. You can apply freshly grated cucumber or the resultant juice over the eyes to lighten the area. Almonds are considered excellent skin food and it is believed that a paste of almonds applied over the eyes for about 10 minutes can go a long way in reducing dark under eye bags. Alternatively you can apply rich almond oil under the eyes. Vitamin E or olive oil is also regularly used in treating dark circles around the eyes. Another popular home remedy for dark eye circles is to place cool, used tea bags on the tired eyes. Applying crushed mint leaves around the eyes can also reduce dark circles.
Creams - Topical creams that have Vitamin K derivatives are prescribed for reducing dark eye circles. Antioxidant products containing Vitamins C and E are known to stimulate fibroblast activity in the dermal layer and help firm up the skin. This can greatly reduce baggy eyes that are dark and sagging. Over-the-counter products containing kinetin or AHA are available for regular use to reduce severe under eye circles. Chemical peels may be effective in reducing chronic dark eye circles.
Makeup - Using an under eye concealer is the best way to hide the unsightly dark circles. Do not choose a shade that is much lighter than your skin tone else it will accentuate the baggy dark circles. Dab concealer gently under the eyes and blend it with the foundation. The inner corner of your eye is usually the darkest part, so ensure that it is well concealed. Rev up your tired looking eyes with gold-based concealers. Avoid mascara and eyeliner to the lower lashes for fear of drawing attention to the dark under eye circles.