HEALTH DIVA: How to Get Rid of Dark Under Eye Circles

By Dr. Janna Andrews | August 27, 2012 | Entertainment, Fitness

You read about TV DivaGal’s battle to banish her dark under eye circles. Now our resident Health Diva, Janna Andrews M.D., explains what causes them, and how to get rid of those nasty shadows!

How many of us get┬á at least eight hours of sleep and still wake up with dark circles under our eyes?┬á Dark under eye circles can be unsightly and can make one look aged.┬á The causes may have nothing to do with fatigue, and the list of true causes may be more extensive than you think.

Anything from, allergies, nasal congestion, emotional stress, smoking, dehydration or pigmentation irregularities commonly seen in blacks and Latinos can cause the circles.┬á For some, ┬áthey come by their circles honestly and heredity is to blame.┬á The most common cause for dark circles is a loss of volume under the eyes and may just be a sign of aging.

If age, heredity, or wearing oneΓÇÖs makeup to bed are not the causes, here are a few simple solutions to try:

Eat a healthy well balanced diet mindful of all salt intake
Abstain from drugs and alcohol
Try changing to sleeping on your back so that gravity can’t cause the puffiness that can be seen in side or stomach sleepers
Quit smoking, use sunscreen daily and a nightly moisturizer containing vitamin K and retinoic acid
Hemorrhoid cream and cucumbers placed on the dark circles can also help to alleviate puffiness.

If these easy fixes donΓÇÖt work, there may be a more serious reason or illness that is the cause and it is important to work with a physician to ascertain the cause.

Another option, although not cheap,┬á would be to use hyaluronic fillers like Juvederm and Restylane, which can be injected┬á to correct the contours of the eye socket.┬á Typically results last about six to eight months before needing to be repeated.┬á An even more expensive option would be to have eyelid surgery or Blephoroplasty, where fat can be removed or added or laser surgery to tighten loose skin. Visit your dermatologist for more cosmetic solutions.

Remember, living a healthy, smoke-free, well-balanced lifestyle and using sunscreen and moisturizer on a regular basis should work for most.┬áHere’s to bright beautiful eyes!