This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
If concealer is the one cosmetic you’re most intimately acquainted with, there’s a good chance black circles are the bane of your existence. You’re far from being alone. Whether yours are the result of genetics, aging, or one too many nights spent lying awake in bed, you may be searching for ways to conceal or get rid of black under-eye circles. But what you may not be focusing on is one of the most common errors people make that can worsen black circles. This is the worst mistake you can make if you have dark circles, according to skin experts.
Rubbing Too Hard
Taking care of black circles isn’t just about buying products that can help lighten or conceal them — you could be making mistakes in your everyday skincare routine that worsen them. One of the worst things you can do is rub too hard at your eyes in an effort to boost circulation and lighter circles.
“The worst mistake you could make if you have dark circles is probably not being gentle on your skin, like rubbing too hard or applying too much pressure when putting cream and other skincare products,” says Kim Harris, a naturopathic medical doctor and owner of Prescott Medical Aesthetic and Wellness. “The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate, so to avoid worsening dark circles, best to use the pinky finger to apply an eye cream or gel as this has the lightest touch. Pat gently to allow the products soaked in, avoid tugging as this can further irritate your bags and could cause other problems like fine lines and wrinkles.”
What you DO is as important as what you aren’t doing when you care for your skin and black circles. When choosing eye creams or gels, Harris suggests looking for products that contain hydroquinone. “This lightening cream helps lessen the appearance of dark under the eyes,” Harris says.
Dr. Ailynne Marie Vergara-Wijangco MD, a dermatologist and writer at Thank Your Skin, also recommends a number of at-home treatments for making dark circles appear lighter, though she reminds us that treatment for dark eye circles depends on the underlying cause. Some of the more common methods she recommends include:
Apply a cold compress. A cold compress can help reduce swelling and shrink dilated blood vessels. This can reduce the appearance of puffiness and help eliminate dark circles. Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean washcloth and apply to your eyes. You can also dampen a washcloth with cold water and apply it to the skin under your eyes for 20 minutes for the same effect. Repeat this process if the cloth becomes warm or if the ice melts.
Get extra sleep. Catching up on sleep can also help reduce the appearance of dark circles. Sleep deprivation can cause your skin to appear pale, making the dark circles more obvious. Allow yourself seven to eight hours of rest to prevent dark circles from appearing.
Elevate your head. While sleep deprivation can play a part in producing those dark bags under your eyes, sometimes it’s how you sleep. Elevate your head with a few pillows to prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes which can make them look puffy and swollen.
Soak with tea bags. Applying cold tea bags to your eyes can improve their appearance. Tea contains caffeine and antioxidants that can help stimulate blood circulation, shrink your blood vessels, and reduce liquid retention beneath your skin. Soak two black or green tea bags in hot water for five minutes. Let them chill in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. Once they’re cold, apply the teabags to your closed eyes for 10 to 20 minutes. After removing, rinse your eyes with cool water.
Conceal with makeup. While makeup and cosmetics do not cure dark eye circles, they can help to camouflage them. Concealers can cover dark marks so they blend in with your normal skin color. However, as with any topical treatment or makeup product, use proper care. Some products can cause your symptoms to worsen and may trigger an allergic reaction. If you begin to experience irregular symptoms from any topical treatment, stop use immediately and schedule a visit with your doctor.
And if you at-home treatments aren’t proving to be effective enough, Dr. Vergara-Wijangco says there are also medical treatments that can work, though they are obviously more pricey and the risk of side effects is higher. Some of the common methods include:
**Chemical peels to reduce pigmentation
**Laser surgery to resurface the skin and enhance skin tightening
medical tattoos to inject pigment into thinning skin areas
**Tissue fillers to conceal blood vessels and melanin that are causing skin discoloration beneath your eyes.
**Fat removal to remove excess fat and skin, revealing a smoother and more even surface
**Surgical implants of fat or synthetic products
“For many people, dark circles are temporary and are often an indication of aging or lack of sleep,” Dr. Vergara-Wijangco says. “Though there are a number of at-home and medical treatments available to improve the appearance of your eyes, dark circles are typically no cause for alarm. However, if the discoloration or swelling worsens over time, schedule a visit with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure you have correctly diagnosed the issue and are receiving the best treatment.”
