Even though they may not look so pretty, dark circles under your eyes aren’t something I worry about.
And you shouldn’t either.
In most cases, dark circles aren’t caused by a medical problem. And the solution is usually quick and easy.
For me they show up when I’m not getting enough rest.
When you don’t get enough quality sleep, it can cause your body to become stressed. This can affect the way your body absorbs vitamins from food and any supplements you take. The simplest solution is to sleep more if you can. Strive for seven to nine hours a night. If you can’t dedicate that much time, see if you can sneak a few cat naps into your schedule. In a couple weeks, you’ll start noticing a difference.
Another cause could be strain on your eyes. Sitting by a computer for most of the day, reading… even watching television can cause your eyes to become tired and strained. And if you do this for too long, you’ll start noticing the “tired” look and dark circles. If you think strain may be your problem, make sure you take a break from your close-up work every 10 minutes or so. Look at something far away and try to focus. This will help keep your eyes relaxed.
If you don’t notice improvement with these suggestions, it’s possible you could have an allergy that’s causing the discoloration. If you think it’s an allergic reaction, talk to your doctor. In most cases, your best bet is to remove as many potential allergens from your home, car and workplace as you can.
Think outside the box, too. The culprit could be chemicals in your cleaning supplies, an air freshener in your bathroom or your pet’s flea collar.
You can also fight the allergic reaction by eating lots of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and taking a probiotics supplement. When you take probiotic, you stimulate your immune system so your body can resist an allergic response. You can find a supplement at your local health-food store. Ten to 20 billion CFUs daily should do the trick.
To help reduce the appearance of your dark circles right away, here are some simple treatments you can try:
- Cucumbers. Take a refrigerated cucumber and cut it into thin slices (one for each eye). Then lie back and place the slices on each eye for 10 minutes. The coolness will help reduce inflammation and lighten the skin under your eye. It may sound cliché, but it works!
- Cooled, used tea bags. Take a used tea bag after it’s cooled (black, green or white) and apply it to the skin under your eyes. You may have to lie back if you can’t get them to stick. Leave them on for 10 minutes.
- Spoons. That’s right, spoons. Take two teaspoons and pop them into the refrigerator for an hour or two. Then lie back and place the cooled spoons under your eyes for about 10 minutes. Not only does it help reduce the dark coloration, it also feels refreshing!
Sincerely,
Kamila Fiore, ARNP, NP-C
[Ed. Note: Kamila Fiore is the resident Nurse Practitioner at the Sears’ Center for Health and Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Kamila is passionate about taking a natural approach to healthcare. She believes it’s a vital necessity in this day and age – a time when our health is being jeopardized by the chemicals, toxins and processes that are incorporated in almost everything we consume, touch or breathe. She earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Florida and became state-licensed and board-certified in 2007. Her professional experience includes Aesthetics, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics and Anti-Aging. Kamila educates her patients on health promotion and disease prevention.]