by Amanda Leduc

Created on: February 11, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

Most of us have suffered dark, puffy under-eyes on occasion. Usually when we have had a rough night or are going through times of stress. There are also many people, including myself, who struggle with this problem on a continuing basis. Dark under-eye circles are a source of embarrassment and can seriously sway a first impression. Here is some information to help you understand why you have these unsightly circles.

Before we can get into how to deal with these blemishes we must understand why they appear in the first place. There are many factors that contribute to under-eye blemishes. The most obvious causes are fatigue or lack of sleep, poor nutrition and hydration, and facial structure. The more subtle causes may be heredity, hormonal changes in the body, and medication.

The skin under your eyes is very thin and sensitive. It is lacking the large amount of oil glands that the rest of your skin has, causing the skin to dry out easily and loose pigmentation. Getting very little sleep can cause the skin under your eyes to grow paler, therefore exposing the underlying blood vessels and leaving the area looking dark.

Having poor nutrition is also a contributing factor in your under-eye darkness/puffiness problem. You must get the proper amount of vitamins and minerals to keep your skin looking its best, especially vitamin A. Drinking enough water is also vital to maintaining beautiful skin pigmentation and texture. When you become dehydrated the skin under your eyes becomes thin and pale, resulting in the appearance of dark circles.

People with very pronounced cheek and brow bones may have a more difficult time with their under-eye circles, which can also be inherited. Prolonged sun exposure can dry out your skin and leave it looking thin and pale.

Now let's talk about what to do about it! The number one thing you can do to improve the appearance of your skin is to stay hydrated! Drink at least 10 glasses of water a day. This will ensure that your skin has the moisture and elasticity it needs to stay looking its best!

The second most important thing is getting adequate rest. Make sure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep and try to keep your bedroom area as dark and quiet as possible to ensure that you are getting deep sleep. Make sure to eat good amounts of fruits and vegetables so that you are getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy.

One quick fix you can try if you wake up with unusually dark or puffy circles is placing used tea bags on your eyes for several minutes. The caffeine in the tea will constrict the blood vessels under the skin and make the area appear less dark. You can also try using cucumber or potato slices. Using a bit of vitamin E under your eyes is also said to improve the look and texture of the skin.

Most people use makeup to cover up their dark circles. If these natural approaches do not work go ahead and try it. You will want to find a concealer that is very close to the natural color of your skin. If you choose a concealer that is much lighter than your natural skin tone it can actually have the opposite effect of what you are wanting.

Over-all, dark under-eye circles are treatable. If you continue having this problem even after trying these recommended steps I would recommend talking to your doctor about it. Your doctor may be able to evaluate any nutritional deficiencies or recommend a sleep aid to help you get adequate rest.

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