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Imagine waking up in the morning after a sound sleep, and the first thing you notice while looking in the mirror is dark circles under your eyes. Not a good feeling, right? If you’re an individual living a busy lifestyle, developing dark circles is common.
Several factors can contribute to dark circles, including lack of sleep. In this blog, we’ll discuss what causes dark circles and suggest seven home remedies to eliminate them. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes?
Dark circles occur due to numerous reasons, some of which are mentioned below:
Lack of Sleep
Inadequate sleep is one of the most common reasons for developing dark circles. If you usually sleep less than 7 to 8 hours, the blood circulation under your eyes will decrease. This further leads to dark circles.
Age
As your skin ages, it loses collagen. Therefore, the skin below your eyes starts to loosen, resulting in thinning of blood vessels under your skin. This further leads to darkening of the skin under your eyes.
Stress
If you experience high-stress levels in your everyday life, you’re more likely to develop dark circles. When stressed, blood is provided to every body part except your face. This enhances the visibility of blood vessels underneath your eyes, eventually resulting in dark circles.
Dehydration
Staying hydrated is important for maintaining a healthy body functioning. Not drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily can cause the skin under your eyes to appear dull and lead to the growth of dark circles.
Allergies
It is highly common to develop dark circles from specific allergies, especially if one of the allergy symptoms is nasal congestion. When allergies cause dark circles, there are other symptoms as well, such as itchy nose, rashes, headache and fatigue.
Sun Exposure
Prolonged sun exposure leads to excessive melanin production in the body, a pigment responsible for skin colour. This excessive melanin accumulates beneath the eyes in the form of dark circles.
Smoking
Cigarettes contain nicotine, a chemical responsible for narrowing the blood vessels and reducing the blood flow to the skin. This decreased blood flow further deprives the skin of significant nutrients and oxygen, which may further lead to darkening of the under eye area.
Lifestyle Factors
Besides smoking, other poor lifestyle habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption, irregular sleep cycles and improper diet, can also contribute to puffy eyes and the development of dark circles.
Caring for our skin becomes the least of our priorities as our lives get busier. But don’t let that happen. Here are some simple home remedies to get rid of dark circles without expensive treatments:
How to Remove Dark Circles : Seven home remedies
The answers to what causes dark circles may vary among individuals. While some individuals may have dark circles inherently, others may have them because of lifestyle issues. The good news is that, there’s a cure for most of the dark circle causes; that too within your reach!
From almond oil to aloe vera, your eyes rescue squad is just a table away
| Remedies | Description | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| Almond Oil | Thanks to almond oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it works magically to reduce dark circles. | Wash your hands and face with a skin cleanser and water. Then, gently massage a small amount of almond oil under the eyes. Use it every day for faster results. |
| Cucumber | The high water content and mild astringent qualities of cucumber make it one of the best solutions for treating dark circles that may arise due to stress or lack of sleep. It is | Put cold cucumber slices on your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, wash your eyes with cold water. You can follow this practice regularly for positive results. |
| Potato | Potatoes help reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. The starch in potatoes has anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for your skin. | Take a potato and slice it into circles. Now, gently rub these circles on the affected area for five to ten minutes. |
| Vitamin E oil and gel-based capsules | Vitamin E moisturises skin and keeps it hydrated. Its anti-aging properties also help reduce wrinkles. | Open a Vitamin E gel-based capsule and put it in a bowl. Mix it with carrier oil. Apply the mixture gently around your eyes and leave it overnight. |
| Sun Protection | Sun protection is a significant aspect of skincare. Exposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage which may further lead to dark circles. | Wearing sunglasses, brimmed hats, and sunscreen can effectively ensure sun protection and dark circle prevention. |
| Rosewater | Rich in Vitamin A, rosewater is considered an effective remedy for treating dark circles. | Take out some rose water in a bowl. Dip a cotton ball in it and apply it to your dark circles. Leave them overnight and witness effective results. |
| Aloe Vera | Widely known for its medicinal properties, Aloe vera works well in reducing dark circles. | Applying aloe vera gel to your face every day before going to bed can help in hydrating the skin and lessen the appearance of dark circles. |
How to reduce dark circles beyond home remedies?
Reducing dark circles can seem difficult at first. However, it is achievable. A combination of adequate sleep, proper hydration and consistent care goes a long way in this journey. Along with following home remedies, maintaining a balanced diet and following stress management techniques can also help in lowering their appearance.
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How to Permanently Remove Dark Circles Under the Eyes?
Permanent removal of dark circles is not always a possibility. However, incorporating some lifestyle changes such as proper sleep, cutting down on alcohol and smoking, and practising other home remedies can reduce their impact.
Read More: What are the Natural Remedies to Cure Allergies?
Summing it Up!
Mentioned above are a few remedies that can help you address those darker shades under your eyes. Apart from keeping the home remedies handy, you can also make some lifestyle changes to prevent dark circles and puffy eyes. Using good-quality skincare and makeup products, adding more pillows when sleeping at night to avoid eye puffiness, using cold compresses for a sleepless night, and getting adequate sleep are some practices you might follow to prevent dark circles from exacerbating.
Dark circles are only a result of poor lifestyle habits, stress or ageing and may not require a doctor’s attention. However, a doctor must be seen if you notice darkness or puffiness only under one eye!
Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential when purchasing health insurance. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to confirm the details of your health concerns.
