When you look in the mirror, are the eyes staring back at you underlined by dark circles? If so, welcome to the club. Dark circles under the eyes are one of the most common, and most visible, facial imperfections that we see with our eyes at Dr. Mariano Busso’s aesthetic dermatology clinic. That is why we offer several effective, safe, and non-invasive treatment options for reducing dark circles.
But as with most things, stopping the problem before it starts can be the best way to deal with dark circles. While the genetics which may play a role in the development of dark circles may be difficult to counteract on your own, you can mitigate plenty of other causes of these annoying imperfections through changes to lifestyle, skin care, and diet.
Here are a few ways you can minimize or prevent dark circles under your eyes:
- Get more sleep. Since the skin under your eyes is very thin, whatever is going on under the surface is likely to be visible above. When you don’t sleep enough, the blood vessels and capillaries under your eyes can dilate, creating a dark tint. Dilation may also lead to puffiness, as fluids can leak out into the skin. The solution to this problem isn’t complicated: Get more sleep.
- Sleep on your back. To keep fluids from pooling and creating dark circles, sleep on your back and elevate your head by using an extra pillow
- Stay hydrated. When your body is dehydrated, it holds on to the water it has, which can cause puffiness and bags under the eyes. Drinking eight glasses of water a day not only will help with your appearance but it will also keep your entire body healthy.
- Keep it cool. In addition to drinking more water, applying cold water to your eyes can help reduce puffiness. Lay flat and apply a damp, cool washcloth or chilled cucumber slices to your eyelids for at least 10 minutes. Even better, put a damp, cool tea bag under each or your eyes for a few moments. The tannic acid in tea leaves will help retract some of the fluid and shrink capillaries.
- Don’t smoke. There are a million reasons not to smoke or give up smoking, and preventing dark circles is one of them.
- Get more iron. Iron deficiency decreases oxygen flow in your blood, stifling the tissues underneath the eyes. Increase your iron intake by eating iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, pork, seafood, spinach, and beans.
- Vitamin C. Boosting collagen levels can be the key to strong, healthy, and more youthful-looking skin. A lack of enough collagen can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin, including the skin under your eyes. Vitamin C is a great way to increase your body’s collagen level naturally. Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale, berries and citrus fruits, and nuts and seeds are all excellent sources of vitamin C.
- Vitamin B12. An insufficient amount of vitamin B12 can cause anemia. Two common symptoms of anemia are pale skin and tiredness, both of which can accentuate dark circles. Add foods rich in B12 to your diet, such as meats, seafood, and leafy green vegetables.
Call Dr. Busso Today to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
If, despite your best efforts, you see dark circles under your eyes and want to get rid of them, we can help. To schedule an in-person visit to discuss dark circle removal, contact Dr. Busso’s office at 305-857-0144 or schedule an appointment online.
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