Can You Really Get Rid Of Dark Circles? See What Experts Say

Many people struggle with dark circles beneath their eyes, and as a result, they look for treatments that claim to permanently eliminate this disturbing problem.

All about dark circles (Representational Image)

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Many people struggle with dark circles beneath their eyes, and as a result, they look for treatments that claim to permanently eliminate this disturbing problem. It is important to throw some light on the casues of dark circle, and the procedures available to address dark circles and what you may reasonably expect from them. Also, if you don't want to undergo treatments, there are home remedies as well by which you can get rid of deark circles.

According to Dr. Shireen Furtado, who is a Sr. Consultant - Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology, at Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, "It's important to first recognize that dark circles might have a variety of underlying causes, including heredity, thinning skin making the underlying veins visible, allergies, or lifestyle choices like insufficient sleep and too much sun exposure. It's critical to pinpoint the underlying cause of dark circles and modify the approach as necessary for effective treatment."

Causes Of Dark Circles:

Dr Vandana Punjabi, who is a Senior Consultant, Dermatology at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital said, "There are multiple scientific studies to prove that sleep deprivation is associated with increased signs of intrinsic skin aging such as fine lines, uneven pigmentation, reduced elasticity and most importantly, dark circles. Researchers have found that people who are sleep deprived appear sadder and more fatigued than people who have had sufficient sleep and tend to develop dark circles."

"Having a restful sleep of 8 hours at night helps our skin cells to regenerate and repair, hence the concept of ‘beauty sleep’. When we sleep, certain hormones such as growth hormone are formed and there is collagen and elastin regeneration which helps in tighter, firmer and younger looking skin. Hence we should use our skin care products at night so that they boost collagen production. At night, the skin has its highest levels of blood flow, which increases body temperature and helps repair our skin, working against the dark circles," she continued to say.

"Late bedtime is associated with decreased skin hydration leading to dull, dry and uneven skin complexion and will have dark circles looking worse. Additionally, poor sleeping habits cause high levels of stress on the body, leading to the release of the stress hormone called ‘cortisol’ which causes increased oiliness on face and scalp leading to acne and dandruff," she added.

Ways To Address Dark Circles:

Dr Ruby Sachdev, who is a Consultant - Aesthetic Physician & Founder of Skinnfit Medspa Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru said that to address dark circles, a dermatologist or aesthetic doctor might recommend a multi-faceted approach like the following:

• Cause Assessment: Identify the root cause, such as genetics, pigmentation, or lifestyle factors.
• Topical Treatments: Use creams with retinol, vitamin C, or peptides to target pigmentation and improve skin texture.
• Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen to prevent further pigmentation.
• Dermal Fillers: Hyaluronic acid fillers can add volume to hollowed areas under the eyes, reducing dark circles.
• Chemical Peels: Improve skin texture and pigmentation with chemical peels.
• Laser Therapy: Consider fractional laser treatments to target pigmentation and boost collagen production.
• PRP Therapy: Use platelet-rich plasma from your blood to rejuvenate the skin.
• Sleep and Lifestyle: Prioritize sleep, maintain a balanced diet, and manage stress to improve dark circles.
• Home Care: Follow recommendations like using eye creams or cold compresses.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Dark Circles:

Ruchita Acharya, who is the Founder of Glow & Green said, "For many people, having dark circles beneath the eyes is a typical aesthetic worry. You may appear more worn-out and older than you actually are because of these dark, frequently purplish or bluish circles."

Here are some home remedies suggested by her to get rid of them:

• Tea bags: Cooled tea bags, especially those containing chamomile or green tea, can be used to relax skin around the eyes and minimize puffiness.
• Potato slices: Because potatoes naturally bleach, applying potato slices over the eyes can reduce the appearance of dark circles.
• Cucumber: Because they are cooling, cucumber slices help temporarily reduce puffiness.
• DIY mask: Yoghurt, honey, and turmeric are among homemade ingredients that help brighten and refresh the under-eye area. In a bowl mix 1 tablespoon plain yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon honey and a pinch of turmeric. Apply the mixture gently with a cotton ball or a clean fingertip to the skin around your eyes.Put the mask on for ten to fifteen minutes. Use warm water to rinse it off. Then pat your skin dry and apply your usual moisturizer last.