With the holidays in full swing, most of our schedules are chock full with gift-buying, gift-giving, champagne-toasting, and Christmas-party after Christmas-party attending. While all of these activities are usually a lot of fun, they often lead to late nights, lack of sleep, and those nagging dark circles under the eyes.
You’re probably among the many men and women who would prefer that the holiday activities not show on your face. And while there is no one cure for dark circles under the eyes, using a number of skin care treatments can diminish them, if not eradicate them altogether.
Here are four ways to combat dark circles under your eyes:
1. Maintain a good skin care routine.
Maintaining a good skin care routine is essential to not only preventing dark circles from forming beneath your eyes, but also promoting healthy, glowing skin overall. A basic skin care routine includes at the very least moisturizer, night cream, and a great sunscreen especially if you have darker pigmented skin to begin with. Those worried about dark circles might opt to use an eye cream as well. Eye creams are heavy duty moisturizers which often include an astringent which causes swelling, thereby reducing sags and darkness beneath the eyes. They usually last for several hours to several days.
2.Try a skin lightener.
Skin lighteners reduce a pigment called melanin in the skin, help clear spots in the skin like freckles, and soften the appearance of dark circles. Some lighteners, like kojic acid, are available over the counter. Other grades, like a higher dose of Hydroquinone, may require a prescription from your dermatologist or plastic surgeon. When purchasing these higher-grade lighteners, be sure to vet your physician first. The most important element of any prescriptive skin care medicine is the proficiency of the one writing your prescription!
3. Camouflage with makeup.
On top of eye creams and skin lighteners, you can also camouflage your dark circles with makeup. Choose a foundation that matches the pigment of your skin and apply a light layer gently around your eyes using a makeup brush or sponge puff. If you’re looking for extra protection, go with a foundation that contains SPF. This will protect your skin from further sun damage as well!
4. See a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist for a peel or laser treatment or filler.
If the first three ways to combat dark circles don’t cut it for you, it may be time to see a plastic surgeon or dermatologist with expertise in this area. They can help treat your dark circles, as well as other skin blemishes, with a combination of things. Chemical peels or even lasers can lighten and brighten the area around your eyes. Facial fillers can fill in the hollowness beneath your eyes which occurs as you age, camouflaging the dark circles in your lower eyelid. Botox can help soften and temporarily eradicate wrinkles around the eyes, open the eyes, and elevate the eyebrows, making your eyes look more symmetrical overall.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that there isn’t one cure all for those nagging dark circles, but through a combination of treatments, you can look your best throughout the busyness of the holiday season!
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