What causes dark circles ?

You should probably thank your parents for your dark circles, as they are often hereditary. “Some people, especially those with a dark or olive complexion, genetically have dark circles,” says Dr. Rebecca Kazin, a dermatologist in Washington. In fact, darker skinned women often have hyperpigmentation problems, which are caused by an overabundance of melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its tone.

1- In addition, dark circles often become more visible as you get older. The skin under your eyes is very thin and gets thinner as you get older, so the blood clumped below the surface becomes more visible. ‘The area under your eyes ages faster than the rest of your face because the skin is very thin,‘ says Dr Kazin. And large dark circles are the result of loss of volume under your eyes.

2 – Another culprit: allergies. The skin under your eyes may look darker if your eyes are showing significant allergy symptoms, says Rebecca Kazin.

3 -Your eating habits can also be responsible. A poor diet or a drastic diet contributes to the development of dark circles, as “rapid fluctuations in weight can cause a loss of volume in the face,” says the dermatologist.

Can we prevent dark circles ?

Your best option to prevent dark circles from appearing is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, says Dr. Kazin. You should absolutely avoid factors that accelerate aging, such as exposing yourself to the sun without protection or smoking. Unfortunately, if the cause is genetic, there is no way you can prevent dark circles, but trying any of the treatments below may help reduce their appearance.

Can we treat dark circles ?

Start by trying a moisturizer specially designed for the eye area. “I recommend creams, but I try to manage patient expectations,” says the dermatologist. The problem is, you can’t use strong ingredients in eye creams because the eyelids are too sensitive. Some ingredients that would be used for dark spots on the face are too irritating to the eyes ‘. Most suitable formulas therefore focus on intense hydration to prevent dark circles and aging.

Fillers (yes, botox) can also help, both against a yellowish complexion (a discoloration with a yellow tint) and against dark circles, says Dr. Kazin. “Because there isn’t any cream that really treats a yellowish complexion, I recommend that patients use a little filler to add more volume,” she says. While these solutions don’t remove dark circles, “they add volume, and the look brightens,” she explains. Laser treatments can also decrease discoloration under the eyes caused by hyperpigmentation (particularly intense pulsed light). If one cream isn’t enough, ask your dermatologist if any of these options are right for you.

If you are not a fan of these intrusive methods, there are also effective natural remedies for reducing the appearance of dark circles :

Tomato juice :

the consumption of this juice encourages cell renewal and that of collagen. Drink tomato juice regularly and dip a cotton swab in a little of this juice, then apply it on your dark circles.

The FIG :

Cut a very cold fig in half. Place each half on the dark circles and leave on for 4 or 5 minutes.

Feverfew and green tea :

Feverfew has soothing, cleansing, and antiseptic properties that help fight dark circles. Steep a tablespoon of feverfew or green tea for 3 to 4 minutes in boiling water. Soak two cotton pads and place them in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Once cool, apply them under your eyes for 10 minutes.