Dark circles: what causes them and how to treat dark circles naturally –

The good old concealer is not the only solution to disguise dark circles. They arise due to the high concentration of melanin or due to the congestion of capillaries in the region around the eyes. Factors such as tiredness, allergies, aging, excess sun and poorly slept nights exacerbate the problem.

Treatments range from homemade compresses and cosmetics to radical solutions such as plastic surgery. However, first of all, it is necessary to identify the cause of the stains. According to dermatologist Luciana Conrado, from São Paulo, there are several possibilities:

Heredity: When there is accumulation of blood vessels in the eyelids, the skin takes on a dark reddish tone. It gets worse at the time of menstruation and with tiredness.
Excessive pigmentation: Generalized dark spots around the eyes are very common among people of Arab and Indian descent.
fat bags: they protect the eyeball, but one day they start to give way. This process is called prominence and, in general, occurs from the age of 37.

natural remedies

Every Monday you wake up and there they are! Dark circles can appear just because your schedules were changed over the weekend. “The lack of rest contributes to the increase in volume of the lower eyelids and then the dark circles appear more”, says beautician Roseli Siqueira, from São Paulo.

In this case, compresses or masks work, refreshing and decongesting the eye area. It’s also a great way to fight dark circles that appear in PMS, due to increased fluid retention. These are the most efficient recipes:

chamomile tea: prepare a concentrated tea, wait for it to cool down and put it in the freezer for a few minutes (including the bag). Apply over the eyes and let it act for 10 or 15 minutes. Wet the bag a few times in the cold liquid and reapply. Make the compress lying down, with your head elevated. This position encourages the vessels to return to their normal size, reducing swelling.
boric water or saline solution: Moisten pieces of cotton with boric water or serum and place them in the freezer. When they are well chilled, apply to the eye area.
homemade mask: mix 1 cup of milk tea with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of honey. Take to the fire to thicken. Then put on a plate to cool. When it’s warm, put a thick layer on the eye area and, on top, a damp piece of cotton. Lie down for 15 minutes. Then wash with plenty of water and apply a moisturizing cream.

vitaminized cosmetics

As dark circles are formed by pigment deposited in the deepest layers of the skin, creams have limited action. They just improve circulation, reducing puffiness and dark color in the eye area. When choosing a cosmetic, pay attention to the active ingredients, according to your needs.

For decongest and reduce edema:

Gingko biloba Caffeine Rutin Vitamin K1

For lighten the eye area:

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Surgery, the radical solution

When a woman has excessive bags of fat under the eyes or very pronounced pigmentation, plastic surgery is the most suitable method to remove dark circles. The appropriate technique for these cases is known as blepharoplasty. The cut is external and close to the lower eyelashes and the operation requires local anesthesia with sedation.

After the surgery, cold compresses must be placed on the eyelids for 24 hours to prevent swelling and dark glasses must be worn throughout the recovery phase, which takes 30 to 60 days. During this period, the region turns quite purple. The result begins to be perceived only after a month.

dark circles x food

“An X-ray of your diet discovers possible causes of imbalance in the body behind the dark circles”, says Sheila Mustafá, a functional nutritionist from São Paulo. Among the most likely hypotheses, apart from the genetic trait, are:

allergies

Those who live scratching their eyes because of sinusitis or rhinitis can facilitate the rupture or dilation of vases in the region. It is worth checking if there is sensitivity to allergenic foods such as milk protein, gluten and soy.

stress

Tension causes an increase in the presence of nitrous oxide in the blood, which causes the blood vessels to thicken and become more apparent under the skin. To avoid spots, bet on the vitamins and minerals of almonds, green tea, watercress, arugula and cauliflower.

This article was originally published in September 2002.