Do people often ask you if you’re tired, even when you’re well-rested?
When you look in the mirror, do you see under-eye shadows that make you look older than you are? Me too. I have dark circles under my eyes and frankly, they make me look like a Siberian Owl. It is not flattering.
Team Costhetics looked into the phenomenon of dark-circled eyes so we could share the latest news and information about solutions to dark under-eye circles with you … and help me lighten up my owl eyes.
Start with Your Doctor
The discovery of patches of black, brown, and purple under your eyes can be alarming. The good news is that there are many possible causes for the problem, but only a few are a cause for concern. It is better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your vision. If you experience swelling and discolouration under a single eye, contact your doctor.
It is most likely you have dark circles due to:
- Genetics/heredity
- Skin problems including eczema and contact dermatitis
- Sun exposure
- Lack of sleep
- Hyperpigmentation
- Rubbing your eyes
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Medication
Changes to the eye area are natural. As the years go by, facial fat and collagen are lost. This causes the skin to become thinner and more translucent, allowing bluish-red blood vessels to be seen. Tear troughs and hollowed areas under the eyes may also develop, increasing the discolouration. These changes are to be expected, but most people find them aesthetically unwelcome.
A visit to your doctor or dermatologist is the first place to start. A trained professional can rule out allergies, eczema, contact dermatitis, and other skin conditions that will benefit from medical treatment and recommend the best treatment, to deal with your owl eyes, based on your unique medical history.
5 Treatments that Get Rid of Undereye Circles for Good
We’re going to share ideas from the Costhetics goody bag of at-home treatments for dark under-eye circles in a moment. First let’s talk about what the pros can do to lighten up your owl eyes. Remember, these are medical-grade treatments. You want to be safe, as well as beautiful, so be sure to do your homework and research information on your chosen practitioner. (Need help? Costhetics can help you find a doctor near you.)
Here is a look at the leading edge of under-eye treatments for dark circles and the dreaded owl eyes:
- Laser therapy – The dark pigment beneath the eyes can be laser-targeted with laser treatments. Powered by heat energy, lasers vaporise damaged cells, destroying them forever. In addition, laser treatments may boost collagen production to help offset eye hollows.
- Prescription skin lightening creams – Medical professionals have access to a wide range of formulations with higher levels of active ingredients such as glycolic acid, hydroquinone, azelaic acid, and kojic acid than are available over the counter. You and your doctor can work together to find the best prescription strength to achieve maximum lightening.
- Chemical Peels – The same ingredients found in skin lightening creams are also used during a chemical peel. In some instances, combination peels combining salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol may be recommended.
- Lower Lid Blepharoplasty – Fat pads underneath the eyes can increase shadowing and make the undereye look darker. Surgery to remove excess fat is a solution.
- Dermal Fillers – Some dermal fillers are the flipside of a blepharoplasty. Where eye surgery takes out fat, fillers replace the lost collagen responsible for eye hollows.
Do Your Part to End Owl Eyes: At Home Care
Are you a do-it-yourself kind of person? If so, this section is for you. Costhetics has assembled a set of simple things you can do regularly to reduce and even eliminate those pesky dark circles:
- Fight Fatigue – Fatigue is a chief contributor to under-eye circles. When you don’t get your z’s, your circulation suffers and so does your face. Only you know how much sleep is right for you. We recommend you create a sleep plan … then challenge yourself to stick to it for 7 days straight. Suddenly your plan will have turned into a habit that will pay off with fewer dark circles and a rosier, less deathly pale complexion.
- Fight Fluid Build-Up – Fluids puddle in the body when we sleep. Adding extra pillows under your head will help prevent this from happening. When you wake in the morning, your eyes will be less puffy and owly.
- Embrace the Brrrr – There’s nothing like a cool compress (not cold!) to lessen dark circles when dilated blood vessels are the cause. The compress constricts the vessels, moving the blood out of the eye area.
- Cucumber Therapy – I may look ridiculous when I plop two cucumber slices on my eyes, but I don’t care. Cucumbers are a great way to brighten up my owl eyes. Their high water content means they hydrate the delicate skin under the eyes. Plus, cucumbers are rich in Vitamin K which is good for reducing discolouration and inflammation. Put them in the refrigerator first to add the power of cold to your treatment.
Well … what do you think? Are you ready to trade in your owl eyes for something better? Whatever you need, whether it’s cosmetic surgery, cosmetic injectables, aesthetic treatments or even a skin cancer check, Costhetics wants to help. Find a doctor or chat with our virtual assistant Mia about whatever is on your mind.