Do you know that dark circles can be cleared at home by yourself? - By Dr.P.T. Ezhil

Dark circles or the dark portion of skin below your eyes reveals that you are ill or stressed. Sleep deprivation, liver disorders, anemia, some allergies, asthma, eczema and hereditary are some common causes of this condition called periorbital pigmentation.

Cucumber

Cucumber can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients. Not only does it have a cooling effect but it also helps improve the colour of the skin around the eyes. The easiest way out is to cut a cucumber into thick slices, refrigerate them for about 30 minutes and then place lightly on your eyes. Alternatively, you can crush a little cucumber and extract the juice; apply this around the eyes, keep it on for 15 minutes and then wash with water. Adding a dash of lemon juice into the cucumber juice also helps because the latter has a bleaching action that reduces the darkness of the skin. If your eyes are puffy, mix in a little potato juice into the cucumber juice for best results.

Potato

Potato also contains bleaching agents and whether you use it with cucumber or alone, it can help to reduce dark circles. Keep two potatoes in the refrigerator for a few hours; then peel and grate and extract potato juice. Dip a cotton ball in this juice and apply around your eyes. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse out with water.

Rose water

Rose water has been traditionally used to rejuvenate the eyes and give them a sparkling look. It works equally well as a remover of dark circles. Soak a little cotton in rose water and dab it over and under your closed eyes. Wash off after 15 minutes with water. Do this once in the morning and once in the evening every day and in a few weeks’ time, your eyes will appear brighter.

Almond oil

Almond oil is considered as being one of the best oils for babies because it does not harm delicate skin. The same logic makes it a good choice for dark circles under the eyes where the skin is more delicate than on the rest of the face. Dab on a few drops of almond oil and lightly massage it into the affected area before going to bed. The next morning, wash it away with water.

Get sufficient sleep

Dark circles under the eyes are a common occurrence in people who do not get enough sleep. Make sure you sleep for at least six to seven hours every night; if you suffer from insomnia or sleep apnoea that prevents you from getting refreshing sleep, speak to your doctor about the measures you can use to overcome this problem.

Some things to avoid

·         People who use kajal/mascara/கண் மை very frequently and don’t take it off before going to bed at night can develop dark circles under the eye; the same applies to those who go to sleep with make-up on. Make sure you wash your face clean of cosmetics before going to bed and you will notice an improvement.

·         Don’t rub your eyes or drink alcohol often; this can also help improve the appearance of the skin around your eyes.

·         If you’re constantly anxious and stressed-out, there is a greater likelihood of it showing in the region around your eyes; so keep stress at bay.

·         The simple remedies listed here begin to show results after a few weeks of regular use. Most people find that they work as well as commercially available chemical products; besides, you don’t need to worry about side-effects of the chemicals in the creams. However, if you find these remedies do not provide you any significant relief, it makes sense to consult a dermatologist who can help you figure out the root cause and treat it.