Did you ever wonder how or why you have dark circles under your eyes? There are many reasons why you have them, some are avoidable, and others are not.
The good news is there are plenty of steps to help you prevent, treat and/or conceal those puffy, dark and tired looking eyes. Just an ounce of prevention will allow you to look your very best, no matter where you are going.
Prevention: The best tried and true method is to get plenty of sleep, not the couple of hours you get after parting in the middle of the week, then having to go to work or classes. The majority of us require at least seven to nine hours of sleep daily to keep your eyes shinning and bright.
Another factor can be stress. Of course it is easier said than done, but stressful events should be avoided, although that is not always possible. This is where "Me Time or Down Time" comes in. This is the time you take for yourself to relax and rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit.
Allergies are one more reason for unwanted dark, under eye circles. Coughing, sneezing blocked sinus passageways, at one time or another we have all suffered with these symptoms. Allergy medication, whether over the counter or doctor prescribed, will keep your eyes looking their best.
Last but not least, and maybe the most important is not drinking enough water. Dehydration can and does take a toll on your eyes. That means at least eight glasses of water daily. Sodas do not count, and go easy on the salt.
Treatment: Some treatments are extremely easy, using products we have right in our kitchen. Try soothing your irritated eyes with slices of cucumber, potatoes, cold used tea bags (Chamomile is excellent), wet cotton pads, and an eye mask.
Many of us have dark circles which never seem to go away, this is often caused by genetics. Try using an eye cream which has vitamins A and K. When applying, gently path the delicate skin under your eye to prevent further damage.
As a last resort, laser treatments are now available that can help diminish dark circles which continue to be present after you've tried every other method.
Concealment: Sometimes we simply have no other choice; we just have to hide those telltale circles from our sleepless night or staying up too late.
All major cosmetic companies have concealing sticks. Make sure you get one that is a shade lighter than your regular foundation. If your circles are extremely dark, try going two shades lighter, but make sure, before leaving, you don't look like a raccoon. Also try to apply your concealing makeup in an area that is well lit.
Apply in small dots around the sides of the circles very gently with your finger tips. Remember, the skin under your eyes is some of the most delicate skin on your face.
Unfortunately, sometimes dark circles are a fact of life but, by just using a few simple and easy steps, we can keep our eyes looking shiny and bright.
Copyrighted 2008
Michele Winslow
