How to Eliminate I.Randi's Dark Circles

Generality

Whoever presents unwanted dark halos under the eyes is often asked how to get rid of dark circles quickly and effectively.

However, perhaps not everyone knows that, to eliminate the hated dark circles, it is necessary to know the triggering cause. Only in this way, in fact, is it possible to intervene in the most correct way against what many consider to be a real flaw to fight.

In addition to this, it should be pointed out that the simple application of cosmetic products or the execution of treatments of any kind is not sufficient to guarantee the resolution of the problem. As with many other blemishes that affect the appearance of the skin, in fact, it is necessary to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.

Dark circles: What they are and Causes

What are dark circles and why are they formed?

Before proceeding with the description of the possible treatments and products that can be used to eliminate dark circles, it can be useful to understand what these imperfections are and why they are formed.

Dark circles appear as shades with a more or less dark color (bluish-purple, gray-bluish, or blackish) under the eyes. Often these shadows are accompanied by a swelling (bags). The presence of bags and dark circles is considered as a real " aesthetic damage " or " appearance misunderstanding ", since they give the individual who presents them a tired and sad appearance.

For more information, read also: Dark circles and dark circles: What are they?

The causes that lead to the appearance of dark circles and bags can be multiple and vary from individual to individual. Among the main factors involved in the appearance of similar aesthetic problems, a family component and a congenital capillary fragility seem to be included. In addition, they are considered the main causes:

Excessive pigmentation of the area under the eyes;
Hemostasis;
Aging and exposure to UV rays;
Secondary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation;
Periorbital edema;
Skin laxity (thinning of the skin in the periorbital area and dehydration);
The depression caused by the valley tear.

For more detailed information, read: Causes Dark Circles: Why Do They Appear?

Furthermore, let us remember that dark circles can become accentuated following thermal or mechanical stress .

Cosmetics

How to get rid of dark circles with cosmetics

Since the problem of dark circles turns out to be particularly felt by the majority of the population, the cosmetic industry has developed and marketed numerous products specifically formulated to counteract this imperfection.

The cosmetics created to eliminate - or at least mitigate - the problem of dark circles are available in the form of creams, serums, masks or gels to be applied directly on the affected area, lightly dabbing with your fingers, or applied with the aid of special applicators ( for example, roll-on applicator). The ingredients mainly used in products against dark circles are:

Substances able to strengthen the microcirculation (for example, bioflavonoids, vitamin C, etc.);
Antioxidant substances (such as, for example, vitamin E);
Whitening substances (see next chapter "Treatment with Depigmenting");
Natural extracts with a decongestant, lightening and / or protective effect on the microcirculation (see the "Natural Remedies" chapter).

Did you know that ...

On the market there are available masks in fabric specifically designed to be applied in the area below the eyes (masks for the eye contour), where bags and dark circles appear. These masks are made with ingredients of the most disparate properties depending on the final effect you want to keep. To eliminate dark circles, of course, components with decongestant, antioxidant and reinforcing activity of the microcirculation will be preferred.

In addition to the aforementioned ingredients, cosmetic products to eliminate dark circles may also contain moisturizing and nourishing substances, so as to provide the skin with all the components it needs to preserve its beauty.

For more detailed information on the cosmetic ingredients used to eliminate dark circles, we recommend reading the dedicated article: Antiocchiaie - Cosmetic against dark circles.

Depigmenting treatment

How to Eliminate Dark Circles with Depigmenting Agents

Another method that could be useful to eliminate dark circles is to perform treatments with lightening or depigmenting substances, if you prefer. However, this type of treatment turns out to be effective only when the dark circles see their cause triggering an excessive pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) caused by the accumulation of melanin. In fact, these substances act by interfering with the activity of melanocytes and / or with the synthesis of melanin itself, the pigment responsible for coloring the skin which - if it accumulates in the area under the eyes - can cause the appearance of dark circles. Therefore, if the cause of this appearance mistake does not lie in hyperpigmentation due to an accumulation of melanin, the use of similar products is ineffective.

However, among the main lightening substances that can be used for this purpose, we find:

Kojic acid : is a molecule of natural origin (produced by the metabolism of fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus ) that acts by inhibiting melanogenesis.
Glycyrrhizin : it is another molecule of natural origin, extracted from the root of licorice and endowed with known lightening properties.
Arbutin : is a natural hydroquinone glycoside used in the treatment of different types of pigmentation disorders.

In addition to the above, we recall that azelaic acid, retinoic acid and hydroquinone are also depigmenting agents, but they are rarely used in a delicate area such as the one under the eyes, as they can irritate the skin and give rise to phenomena of awareness. Furthermore, unlike the substances listed in the above bulleted list, they are mostly used in the medical aesthetic field and are not included in the composition of commonly used cosmetics. Of course, also kogic acid, glycyrrhizin and arbutin can give rise to sensitization phenomena in predisposed subjects, however, the application on the skin of these substances seems to be better tolerated by most people compared to the application of acid retinoic acid, azelaic acid and hydroquinone.

For more information about the use of lightening agents to eliminate dark circles, see also: Treatment with Darkening Substances for Dark Circles.

Natural remedies

How to Eliminate Dark Circles with Natural Remedies

For those who like to turn to the natural world, it offers various solutions for the treatment of dark circles.

In fact, there are several plant extracts or DIY remedies that can be used to mitigate this imperfection.

Plant extracts

The plant extracts used to eliminate, or at least reduce, the dark circles contain active substances capable of exerting a capillarotropic, anti-inflammatory, soothing, decongestant or possibly lightening action (for example, this is the case of licorice extract containing glycyrrhizin - see previous chapter). These extracts usually fall within the composition of specific cosmetic products. Among those most known and used, we recall:

Butcher's broom extracts : they have reinforcing properties against capillaries, which are associated with soothing and refreshing properties.
Blueberry extracts : blueberry extracts have always been known for their antioxidant properties and are also able to exert a capillarotropic action.
Chamomile extracts : they are rich in terpenes and azulenes with marked soothing properties, useful for giving relief to this so delicate area of the face.
Centella extracts: centella extracts are rich in asiaticoside, a saponin able to exert a stimulating action on the blood microcirculation.
Vine extracts : they are rich in flavonoids with known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and protective properties against capillaries and microcirculation.

Did you know that ...

Even caffeine - a natural alkaloid found in coffee, tea, maté and guarana - is used against dark circles and bags due to its anti-edema action (for more information: Caffeine against Bags and Dark Circles).

Natural Remedies Makes You Yourself

In addition to the aforementioned extracts that are used in natural cosmetic products to eliminate dark circles, it is also possible to use natural DIY remedies. Particularly widespread to combat dark circles and reduce bags are the packs based on:

Cucumber : cucumber has moisturizing, decongestant, anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor properties, for this reason it is a widely used product against dark circles and bags. Cutting a few thin slices of this vegetable and applying them to the eyes for about 15 minutes could be useful to make the dark circles appear less visible and the look less tired.
Tea : tea wraps are useful especially in the presence of dark circles associated with bags, since the plant contains substances with astringent and anti-edema action . The most common tea-based DIY remedy involves the use of classic sachets available in any supermarket: they must be soaked in cold water, squeezed and applied to the eyes for about 15 minutes.

To learn about other plant extracts and other do-it-yourself remedies useful to eliminate dark circles, see also: Dark circles: Natural Remedies and Dark Circles: Natural Remedies Anti-Dark Circles.

Make-up

How to Eliminate Dark Circles with Make-up

Make-up can be a valuable ally to eliminate dark circles, even if only temporarily .

When you do not want to resort to specific treatments or cosmetics, in fact, it is sufficient to use make-up products in order to disappear - even for a few hours - the annoying dark circles that give the face and the face a dull, sad and tired look look.

Below, therefore, some advice will be given on how to make up the area under the eyes in order to hide the dark circles.

First of all, it is necessary that the area affected by the dark circles is well cleansed and above all perfectly hydrated . Hence the importance of applying specific products for the eye area . In this regard, we remind you that - to facilitate the application and fixing of make-up - it is more useful to use gels for the eye contour rather than creams. The gels, in fact, are absorbed quickly without leaving traces, while the creams - with a richer consistency - can leave residues or traces, hindering the adhesion of the make-up.
If desired, to ensure maximum make-up hold, it is also possible to apply a base - also known as a primer - whose task is to guarantee excellent durability of the applied make-up products. On the market there are specific ones for the eye contour.
After the above preliminary operations, it is possible to switch to the actual make-up and, more precisely, to the application of the corrector . In principle, to eliminate the dark halo under the eyes, one uses orange-colored / peach color correctors; to be precise, similar shades are particularly effective for concealing black or very pronounced dark circles. Some women, however, prefer to use concealers with color similar to their skin tones.
After applying the concealer - regardless of the color used - it is necessary to uniform the complexion by applying the foundation whose color must be in harmony with your complexion.
Finally, proceed with the fixing by applying the powder which can be transparent, or the color of one's own skin tone.

Aesthetic medicine

How to Eliminate Dark Circles with Aesthetic Medicine Treatments

In truth, the use of aesthetic medicine treatments is not so widespread for the treatment of dark circles. In fact, rather than eliminating this type of appearance mistake, they are used to reduce the signs of aging, such as the classic crow's feet wrinkles. In such situations, various medical treatments can be used; among these, the chemical peel (not to be confused with the aesthetic type chemical peel performed in beauty centers by beauticians) and the laser treatment seem to exert benefits even at the level of the dark circles, since they are able to remove the hyperpigmented superficial cutaneous layers the "dark circles" blemish. Clearly, the effectiveness of similar treatments to eliminate dark circles depends on their triggering cause.

Useful Tips

Useful tips and small tricks to promote the disappearance of dark circles

As mentioned, despite the numerous treatments, cosmetic products and natural remedies that can be used to try to eliminate dark circles, they are hardly able, by themselves, to definitively resolve - or in any case significantly mitigate - the problem. In fact, the application of products of any kind to hide or eliminate dark circles should always be associated with a healthy lifestyle and the adoption of some small precautions. Therefore, some suggestions will be listed below that may be useful in this regard.

Try to sleep at least 7-8 hours per night, so as to guarantee the body the necessary hours of sleep, thus avoiding the tired appearance.
Sleeping with the head slightly raised above the rest of the body could be useful to avoid blood stagnation at the lower eye area.
Gently clean the area under the eyes where dark circles are formed, using products suitable for such a delicate area.
Constantly apply a moisturizing cream for the eye area, in order to ensure the right degree of hydration. At the same time, it is necessary to apply sun protection when exposed to the sun and UV rays, so as to avoid damage to the thin skin present in this area of the face by ultraviolet radiation (natural or artificial - tanning lamps) - which they are).
Adopt a balanced diet rich in antioxidant substances and vitamins, in particular vitamin C, a molecule with a precious antioxidant action and a protective activity against microcirculation.
Avoid the smoking habit, notoriously harmful both for the beauty of the skin and for the well-being of the entire body.
Avoid stress, or try to reduce it as much as possible.