How to Reduce the Appearance of Under Eye Circles

Dark under-eye circles sneak up on you, and before you know it, they significantly impact your life. Sure, they can be annoying from a vanity perspective, we're only human, but they can wear on us in other ways. For example, the eyes are the facial feature we all look at directly when we communicate; for example, as the focal point of our faces, they're impossible to ignore unless a person is wearing sunglasses. In addition, under-eye circles can make you appear more tired when you feel perfectly energized and unhealthy when you feel well. So what can cause under-eye circles, and why do some of us have them, but others don't? First, let's review the factors innate to some people, then the causes due to lifestyle or circumstance.

Biological Causes of Under Eye Circles:

• Genetics: You are more likely to run into the problem of dark under-eye circles if your family members have.
• Skin Tone: Under-eye circles affect POC more than white people due to pigmentation.
• Age: As we age, the skin around our eyes gets thinner and loses the fatty tissue.

Lifestyle Causes of Under Eye Circles:

• Lack of sleep: Adults require seven to nine hours a night, and lack of sleep may dull your skin, leading to more noticeable circles.
• Anemia: A condition that occurs from deficiency of red blood cells and can lead to tiredness and weakness; iron deficiency can cause under-eye circles or pre-anemia.
• Smoking: Since nicotine is a sleep disruptor and can lead to sleep apnea, it's also important to know that it's dehydrating, which may lead to dark under-eye circles.
• Allergies: Swollen nasal cavities may cause dark under-eyes.
• Sun exposure: Since it promotes melanin production, dark under-eye circles can get even darker.
• Eczema: Under-eye circles might be more apparent during flare-ups.

Solutions exist:

• Quit smoking
• Drink enough water daily
• Wear sunscreen
• Treat medical issues with Western medicine or natural/alternative healthcare

However, under-eye circles may persist even if you address their lifestyle causes. Countless topical products claim to eliminate under-eye processes, and some work well for short-term results.

The Cosmetic Solution for Under Eye Circles:

Fillers are an option if you're looking for a more permanent cosmetic solution. Our number one suggestion for clients who want to address their under-eye region is to go for a dermal filler consultation. This treatment lasts six to 14 months and works by replenishing hyaluronic acid under your eyes with a high molecular density hyaluronic gel. As a result, the procedure helps to restore your natural, less tired eye look. The eye filler treatment takes less than an hour to complete and dramatically reduces the appearance of dark and tired under-eye circles.

Foods That Help Reduces the Appearance of Under Eye Circles:

Tomatoes: contain many antioxidants, but they are best known for their lycopene, which gives them a red color. Lycopene helps protect blood vessels, aids in blood circulation, and the ability to further aided by the anti-inflammatory quercetin they contain. Quercetin is a plant pigment and flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, and plants. It can be consumed as a supplement or applied topically through skincare products for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cucumbers: Cucumbers benefit your eyes when ingested. Their high water content helps hydrate your under-eye area, which fights against dark circles, but more importantly, they also have silica, which boosts collagen production.

Sesame Seeds: Sesame seed antioxidants can improve fatigue symptoms because they contain vitamin E for overall eye health, including vision.

Berries: Dark berries have anthocyanin—the antioxidant that colors varying food dark shades like blue or purple. It improves blood flow and supplies oxygen to the tissues around the eye.

Watermelon: Consider watermelons a combination of cucumbers and tomatoes because they have a similar water content to cucumbers and contain lycopene, just like tomatoes.

Supplements That Help Reduce the Appearance of Under Eye Circles:

Eating healthy is always a good goal to keep in mind, but sometimes it feels like it isn't the most achievable task. However, you have options if it's easier to stick to a regime of taking vitamins or supplements. Vitamins and supplements that can help:

Iron: Your under-eye circles could be caused by anemia; supplementing with iron helps to eliminate them.

B12: Vegans need to ensure they're getting sufficient B12, but even for meat eaters, an extra boost helps.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K increases blood coagulation and improves circulation. When combined with the caffeine in a base of emu oil, vitamin K reduced the appearance of dark under-eye circles. As a supplement, besides aiding the circulation around your eyes, vitamin K is also essential for bone health and the cardiovascular system.

Vitamin C: When used topically in addition to ingesting it, the function is similar: Vitamin C promotes your body's ability to produce collagen. It also decreases and protects against photodamage, which is essential if your circles are caused by sun exposure. So with the above knowledge, you can be on your way to a brighter tomorrow and more radiant eyes.