The skin around your eyes is very delicate. It lacks oil glands and is much thinner than most other areas of the face. It requires special care as it reflects neglect, ageing, stress and general health. Besides lack of sleep, illness, anxiety and nutritional deficiencies, dark circles can also be caused due to hereditary factors.
Men and women can develop dark circles at an early age, like adolescence or early twenties, though it is more common in older people.
Watch your diet
One way to prevent dark circles is to make sure that you consume a nutritious and balanced diet, including fresh fruits, salads, yoghurt and sprouts every day, along with unprocessed cereals, skimmed milk, paneer, lentils and beans. Some daily exercise, along with deep breathing, helps better blood circulation, oxygenation and control of stress. Adequate sleep and relaxation are very important.
Daily skincare
The area around the eyes should be included in daily skin care. Use extremely gentle movements while removing make-up or applying creams on the area. To avoid pulling or stretching the sensitive skin, avoid massaging it yourself. Get a professional facial so that correct techniques are employed.
Remove make-up using a cleansing gel on moist cotton wool. Later, apply a specially-formulated cream of light consistency on the area. The cream should be removed with moist cotton wool after 10 minutes. Never leave it on overnight. Normal facial masks should not be applied around the eyes.
Get your beauty sleep
Regular sleep and rest are necessary to relieve the strain on the eyes. Anyone who spends long hours reading or working on a computer should take time off, periodically, to rest the eyes by closing them for a few minutes.
Eye fatigue can also be relieved with washing. Splash your eyes with water and notice that you feel better immediately. In fact, contrast washing works even better. Wash your eyes with warm water and follow it up with a splash of cold water. This improves blood circulation to the eyes and soothes them. It also cleanses the eyes and relieves congestion.
Here are some home remedies that can be used to minimise dark circles, brighten the eyes and reduce fatigue:
Cucumber juice is a common home remedy. It should be applied around the eyes daily and washed off with plain water after 15 minutes.
Mixing potato juice with cucumber juice in equal quantities helps if there is puffiness along with dark circles. Wash off after 15 minutes.
Dark circles can also be treated by mixing cucumber juice with lemon juice in equal quantities. Apply daily and wash off with lukewarm water after 15 minutes. Tomato juice is also said to lighten skin colour.
Consult your doctor about daily exercises. Include deep breathing exercises, like pranayama, in your routine workout. This helps in counteracting stress and also oxygenates the body.
Along with external care and a healthy lifestyle, take time off for relaxation,
using eye pads. Take cotton wool and make two thick square pads. They can be soaked in cucumber juice or rose water. Lie down, close your eyes and put the soaked pads on them. Keep them on for about 15 minutes. Used tea bags can also be substituted for eye pads. Applying a compress of iced water or cold milk directly over closed eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes also helps.
