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Ever looked in the mirror and been bothered by pesky dark circles underneath your eyes? We’ve all been there at one time or another.
Dark circles are incredibly common among both men and women. Unfortunately, they’re often accompanied by bags that can make the eyes appear puffy and tired. While this is completely normal and oftentimes not a sign of an underlying health issue, you may want to treat them for cosmetic reasons.
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to both treat and prevent dark circles and under eye bags. By giving your eyes a little bit of extra care, you can keep them looking refreshed and awake (even when you might not feel that way on the inside).
Keep reading to learn all about how to get rid of dark circles for men:
There are a variety of different factors that can cause dark circles to develop under your eyes. Here are some of the most common:
There are many different methods used to treat your dark circles. From home remedies, to specific products, to lifestyle changes, there are a variety of things you can try incorporating into your routine.
Ever used an ice pack on an injury to reduce swelling? A similar concept can be applied to your under eyes when you’re experiencing darkness or puffiness.
Applying a cold compress to your under eyes can help to tone down enlarged blood vessels, which is one of the main causes of darkness. Doing this can also help to take swelling down. Goodbye, puffiness!
One of the simplest ways to try out this technique is to get a washcloth damp using cold water and allowing it to sit over your eyes for anywhere from 15-30 minutes. Not only is this a way to keep your under eyes looking fresh, but it’s also a great way to relax yourself in the morning before taking on the busy day ahead.
Cold cucumber slices are another classic way to get the benefit of coolness on your eye area.
If you’re looking to take the cold compress method to the next level, consider using tea bags instead of a cool washcloth. Tea is rich in antioxidants and caffeine, both of which can help to treat dark, puffy under eyes.
To try this, all you’ll need is two tea bags (unflavored black or green tea typically work best). Place the tea bags in hot water for five minutes or so, and then remove them and allow them to chill in the fridge for 20 minutes (while you enjoy the tea!).
Once the tea bags have become nice and cold, place them underneath your eyes and let them work their magic! The amount of time you leave the bags on is up to you—typically anywhere from 10-20 minutes is perfect. After removing the tea bags, just be sure to rinse the area with water.
This is a great at-home method to use whenever you feel like your eyes could use a pick-me-up.
For many of us, getting more sleep each night is easier said than done. Between work, school, maintaining a social life, and any other responsibilities you might have to juggle, it’s easy to put sleep on the backburner. However, getting enough rest is critical to the way you look and feel. It’s called beauty sleep for a reason!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night. By doing so, you can help to keep your skin looking fresh and awake, keeping dark circles at bay.
In addition to getting enough sleep, it’s important to ensure you’re getting quality sleep. If you’re really looking to help prevent the formation of dark circles and puffiness, this may require adjusting your sleeping position.
It’s often said that sleeping on your stomach or side can cause fluids to collect under your eyes due to the force of gravity. So, if you’re a stomach or side sleeper, consider training yourself to sleep on your back. There are even specific pillows you can buy that are made to encourage you to sleep in this position!
Hydration is essential for keeping your skin looking its best. Skin is an organ made up of cells, and without water, these cells can’t work properly.
If you’re not drinking enough water, your skin will suffer the consequences. This is often seen in skin that’s overly dry, tight, and flaking. Dehydration will cause skin to lose its radiance, which can make darkness more prominent. Over time, it can also lead to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
In addition to drinking enough water, it’s important to fuel your body with a nutritious diet. While there’s unfortunately no food that can magically make dark circles disappear, nourishing your body with well-balanced meals will only help in keeping your skin healthy.
Plus, in some cases, dark circles or discoloration under the eyes can be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. For example, dark circles can be a symptom of low iron or vitamin B12. To prevent this, eat as much of a well-balanced diet as you can, and pay a visit to your doctor if you ever have questions about symptoms you’re experiencing.
As mentioned, allergies can be a common cause of puffiness and dark circles. If you’re someone who struggles with allergies, whether it be seasonally or year-round, taking an allergy medication may help. This can help to keep your symptoms in check, which may include under eye darkness or puffiness.
There are a variety of different facial massage techniques that can be used to combat darkness and puffiness around the eye area.
For example, gently tapping the skin in a circular motion around the eyes can help to bring blood flow to the area. Or, you can also use a gua sha shaping tool or jade roller to help with lymphatic drainage (which will ultimately help to take down puffiness).
To make this even more effective, try storing your jade roller or gua sha tool in the fridge. The cool sensation will help to constrict blood vessels to reduce darkness while also taking down inflammation.
For more severe cases of dark circles, there are several different medical treatments that can be used, such as prescription creams or chemical peels designed to reduce pigmentation.
In addition to this, under-eye fillers are commonly used to plump up and brighten the under eye area. There are several different types of injectables that can be used, including hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, Poly-L-lactic acid and even fat transfer.
As with any treatment or procedure, it’s important to do thorough research. Your eyes are incredibly delicate, so you’ll want to go to a skilled professional you trust and ask plenty of questions beforehand.
One of the best things you can do to treat dark circles is to follow a regular skincare routine. This involves keeping your skin clean and following up with products specifically designed to treat the under eye area. Certain ingredients excel at minimizing puffiness and reducing the appearance of dark circles over time, with regular use. In general, keeping the eye area hydrated helps minimize fine lines as well.
At this point, you might be wondering, ‘What products should I use under my eyes?’ Choosing an eye cream all comes down to ingredients and the results you want to achieve.
For example, if your main concern is puffiness, you may want to opt for a product with caffeine or green tea. If you’re looking to plump and hydrate skin to reduce lines, you can’t go wrong with an ingredient like hyaluronic acid.
Here’s a quick look at some of the best products for dark circles under eyes:
Tip: For an extra cooling sensation, store your eye cream or eye masks in the fridge.
It’s important to keep in mind that eye creams are very concentrated, so a little goes a long way! All you need is a pea-size amount for both eyes. When applying the product, be sure to pat it in gently with your ring finger, as this will apply the least amount of pressure!
A few other great products to incorporate into your routine include a rose water toner and a hydrating oil such as tamanu oil. Rose water is designed to brighten, hydrate, and soothe the skin and can be a great first step in your skincare routine. Tamanu oil, on the other hand, is great for keeping the skin hydrated and balanced. It can also help to fade dark spots.
No matter your gender or age, the above tips can come in handy when treating and preventing dark circles. Remember, skincare is an investment—the earlier you start caring for your complexion, the better! Your skin will thank you later.
