If you find dark circles annoying, frustrating, and impossible to get rid of entirely (which then adds to the annoyance and frustration), you are not alone. Wishing that you could remove these dark circles under your eyes is a common experience, and many may find themselves on the internet looking up how to get rid of dark circles.
If you are constantly asked if you’re tired when you’re feeling just fine, or if people tend to assume you are older than you are, you may gradually develop an insecurity. This can have a negative impact on your confidence. Or maybe you want to get rid of dark circles because you don’t like them.
If you can relate to any of that, look no further; we have created this guide that will take you through effective tips and treatments to remove dark circles, just for you. We will explore a variety of methods, from home remedies to the best dark circle corrector available, to help you on this journey. Before diving into the question of the hour—“how to reduce or remove dark circles"—let’s do a really quick recap of the “what” and the "why” of dark circles.
Dark Circles: Definition and Causes
Dark circles refer to the darkened-looking skin under your eyes (darker than “normal”, i.e., the rest of your face).
There are several potential causes of dark circles:
1. Ageing or thinning skin
2. Hyperpigmentation
3. Genetics
4. Allergies
5. Other skin conditions
6. Excessive rubbing
7. Sunlight
8. Fatigue
9. Other lifestyle factors
10. Hollow under-eyes
It is interesting to note that in some situations, such as when you have hollow under-eyes, the "dark circles" are actually the shadows that result from the hollow rather than the colour of the skin itself.
Let’s move on to the different tips and treatment options to remove dark circles under the eyes.
How to Get Rid of Dark Circles
There are 4 broad categories of methods you can use to reduce the appearance of dark circles.
The ways to reduce dark circles are:
1. Lifestyle Changes
1. Improve sleep duration and quality
2. Minimise stress
3. Reduce alcohol consumption
4. Quit smoking
2. Home Remedies
1. Use pillows to sleep for head elevation
2. Apply something cold
3. Do Facials & massages
4. Use makeup
3. Topical & Non-Invasive Treatments
1. OTC creams and serums
2. Prescription skincare products
3. Eye masks
4. Other Cosmetic Procedures
1. Chemical peels
2. Laser skin treatments
3. Tear trough fillers
4. Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift surgery)
Let’s further explore each category of methods to remove dark circles.
How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Without Any Product: Lifestyle Changes
1. Better Sleep
If you have been consistently missing adequate and restful sleep, using methods to improve your sleep, such as a nighttime routine, complete darkness, a warm shower before bed, avoiding screen time before bed, etc., may help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
2. Minimal Stress
Managing your stress and anxieties with the methods that work for you, like journaling, self-care routines, enough me-time, etc., can help reduce dark circles under the eyes by resulting in better sleep and avoiding redirecting blood flow to other parts of the body.
3. Reduced Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption can result in decreased blood flow in the body. Cutting down on alcohol can improve circulation and remove dark circles.
4. No Smoking
The negative effects of smoking on your health cannot be stressed enough. Smoking greatly speeds up the ageing process of your body, which, in turn, causes dark circles. Quitting smoking may help with the visibly reduced appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
How to Get Rid Of Dark Circles At Home: Home Remedies
1. Pillows For Sleeping
Using pillows to keep your head elevated at a comfortable height and sleeping on your back helps prevent excess fluid from collecting in your face, including your eyes. This helps avoid puffiness in the morning and the subsequent shadows that cause the appearance of dark circles.
2. Cold Relief
Using a cold compress or ice on the skin under your eyes can remove the appearance of dark circles by constricting the blood vessels underneath and depuffing the eyes. You can also use a spoon, cucumber slices, or teabags that have been refrigerated beforehand. Caffeinated tea may have extra effectiveness as it contains caffeine, which is used in skincare products to constrict blood vessels under the skin.
3. Facials & Massages
In addition to relaxation and a spa-like experience at home, face massages or facials with face massages can be effective in removing dark circles under the eyes. This is because massaging improves blood circulation.
4. Makeup
The easiest method to remove dark circles immediately is to use makeup. Investing in a colour corrector and a concealer that suits your skin colour are game-changers when it comes to temporarily removing dark circles under the eyes.
How to Get Rid Of Dark Circles With Topical Treatments: Skincare Products
1. OTC Eye Creams & Serums
Over-the-counter skincare products, like eye creams and eye serums, can give visible results in removing dark circles when used consistently. It is important to choose the right product that suits your skin type and has active ingredients that target dark circles, like peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide (vitamin B3), caffeine, etc.
2. Prescription Skincare
Seeking professional medical advice can be a good idea if you find OTC skincare products to be ineffective or suspect a skin condition that requires prescription skincare. The doctor can assess your skin and prescribe skincare that is suitable for you. Prescription skincare usually contains active ingredients in higher concentrations than OTC skincare.
3. Eye Masks
Under-eye masks are another category of skin care products that have been popular among skincare enthusiasts and experts. Disposable under-eye sheet masks and patches can have a soothing effect while also reducing dark circles. With advances in technology, LED eye patches* were developed and have been proven to be effective.
*What are LED eye patches? They are reusable eye masks that use the healing effects and precise targeting of LED light therapy to repair under-eye skin.
How to Get Rid Of Dark Circles With In-Office Treatments: Cosmetic Procedures
1. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are skin treatments that usually make use of certain acids that cause the top damaged layer of skin to peel off, revealing healthier and brighter skin underneath and removing dark circles under the eyes in the process. These usually use AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs (Alpha, Beta, or Poly Hydroxy Acids). It is best to get this done by an experienced and trusted aesthetic practitioner.
2. Laser Skin Treatments
There are several types of laser skin treatments, each with different depths of penetration and effects on the skin. These resurfacing treatments are also highly effective in reducing dark circles under the eyes. Only a qualified and trained practitioner should perform any laser treatment, especially ones around the eyes.
3. Tear Trough Fillers
Tear troughs are hollows that develop under the lower eyelid and above the cheek, giving the appearance of sunken eyes and dark circles. Dermal fillers, usually hyaluronic acid-based, can be injected into these hollow parts to restore their plumpness and thus remove the dark circles. Needless to say, make sure to go to a board-certified and well-experienced partitioner for treatments like these.
4. Eyelid Lift Surgery
Eyelid lift surgery, called blepharoplasty, involves making very small incisions in the eyelid and natural creases of the eyes to remove excess fat that is causing puffiness around the eyes. Lower, upper, or both types of blepharoplasty can be done depending on the location of excessive fat. By removing puffiness, this eliminates the shadows caused by puffy eyes, i.e., it removes dark circles. Out of all the methods listed above, eyelid lift surgery has the most “permanent” results in removing dark circles.
But How To Remove Dark Circles Under The Eyes Permanently?
Long answer short, there is no method that currently exists that can permanently remove dark circles. However, that does not mean there are no ways to minimise the appearance of dark circles as much as possible, thus removing dark circles “permanently” in a way.
Lifestyle habits, at-home remedies, and topical skincare treatments all typically require consistency and continued use for sustained results. When it comes to these methods, patience is key.
On the other hand, cosmetic procedures provide results that last longer. Some, like laser skin resurfacing and tear-trough fillers, need regular repeat sessions to maintain desired results. Others, like blepharoplasty, can have results that last for years, even decades. That makes it the method that comes closest to permanently removing dark circles under the eyes.
Now You Know How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles
You are now equipped with all the information you need to choose the best method for you to get rid of dark circles. For those methods that require professional medical advice and/or procedures, it is of paramount importance that you consult a certified and well-experienced practitioner with proven results to ensure you are safe and able to achieve your desired outcome.
Setting realistic goals and expectations is also important to achieve the desired results. Going into any of it expecting to permanently remove dark circles under the eyes might not be the right move. Always remember: dark circles or no dark circles, the fact remains that you’re unique and beautiful!
