Dark circles under the eyes tend to age us more than wrinkles or grey hair. Discoloration of the under-eye skin affects many of us from time to time. For others, the dark circles can persist as a long-term feature, sometimes as a result of an illness, but often as a result of allergies, inadequate sleep, and even heredity.

African Americans sometimes have skin discoloration or dark circles under the eyes because of natural hyperpigmentation or extra melanin in this area. Dark under-eye circles can also be a symptom of a medical problem. Be sure to get the advice of a doctor to rule out any serious medical conditions.

• Apply a cold compress to the eyes as needed to restrict blood vessels that cause dark circles to form. Leave it on for five minutes each time. A cooled tea bag may also be used to relieve additional stress to the eyes and provide a natural astringent to minimize discoloration.
• Sleep eight to 10 hours per night. Sleep deprivation contributes greatly to dark under-eye circles. Propping up on a few extra pillows at night during sleeping hours may also help prevent fluid from pooling under the eyes. Fluid worsens dark circles and contributes to under-eye puffiness.
• Put saline drops in your eyes several times throughout the day to ease irritation caused by allergies. Allergies are one of the main causes of dark circle underneath the eyes. Keeping the eyes moist will help ease discomfort and keep dark circles at bay.
• Apply sunscreen to the skin daily to prevent sun damage that can worsen under-eye circles. Darker skin tones are not exempt from the sun’s harmful rays and requires sun protection daily. Use caution when applying sunscreen to avoid contact with the eyes.
• Opt for IPL treatments, or intense pulsed light therapy. This is a procedure that is performed in a dermatologist’s office utilizing low intensity lights to restrict blood vessels and minimize skin discoloration. IPL may take several treatments before desired results are achieved.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, take vitamins, and drink plenty of water. A whole host of cosmetic problems can be attributed to vitamin deficiencies. Dark circles and puffiness are often attributed to lack of vitamin K or inadequate antioxidants. Also, a deficiency in B12 (usually anemia-related) can result in dark circles.
• Relaxing might help remove sources of stress and anxiety that are preventing you from sleeping, eating, and resting properly. In turn, relaxing enough will help your eye skin to improve as you feel less stressed and more at ease. Skin tends to reflect a whole host of emotional and physical ailments, so don’t dismiss the need to relax lightly.