How to get rid of dark circles?

How do I get rid of my dark circles?

• I've always had a problem with my dark circles, even when I was a little kid. However, it wasn't severe. Since last year my dark circles, for some random reason, have gotten darker. I've been using a dark-circle eye cream for about two weeks now, and I have been seeing any difference whatsoever. I'm pretty sure my dark circles have nothing to do with being sleep-deprived or not getting enough nutrition, because I do get both of them. Is there any way to get rid of natural dark circles? Tea bags don't work for me, so please suggest something else, like a product for people with naturally born dark circles.

• Answer:

  Does Dad or Mom have the dark circles, too? "More sleep" is only a good answer for about half the population who have this problem. Unfortunately, genetics is a big part of the issue for the rest of us that have this problem. But you can and should fight back, even if it's genetics. The darkness is actually a lot like a bruise, little capillaries in the skin that have burst and swelled. There's two strategies to use, attacking the cause of the problem, and covering up the effects. For "people who bruise easily" doctors recommend they increase the amounts of fruits and vegetables they eat. Not surprisingly, most "people who bruise easily" also have raccoon eyes. The advice to increase fruits and vegetables in your diet is something you really want to get on top of. Make a point to eat a lot more fruits and vegetables daily. You can do that by chugging a can of V8 juice every morning, and make a choice for orange juice whenever possible. Clear juices like apple juice really aren't going to do much because they are mostly just water and sugar. Increase the amount of water you drink and watch your salt intake. Too much salt at any age has a bad effect on your capillaries. Increase the amount of potassium in your diet (which goes along with increasing fruits and vegetables). Potassium balances out the effects of salt. Take a daily multivitamin. Religiously use a nice strong but gentle sunscreen made for the face. If you have to have a tan on your face, get it out of a bottle; there's plenty of excellent bronzers out there. Elevate the head of your bed by a couple of inches by shoving books under the bedposts. Do you have nasal allergies? Your eyes, nose, throat and ears are all interconnected. If you have been suffering with sneezing over the family cat, a prescription allergy medication may do wonders for your raccoon eyes as well. If you have sinus problems, put a hot compress or heating pad wrapped in a towel on your face daily to help everything drain. Eye creams with vitamin K, which strengthens capillaries, has also been clinically shown to help dark eyes. For cover-ups, there are dozens upon dozens of products for this very problem on the market. But remember, less is more. If you're really unsure how to apply a cover-up for raccoon eyes, try going to store like Sephora or a large department store and asking for assistance. Always look for the oldest woman behind the counter because she will probably have the best experience with makeup; stay away from teen girls who will gleefully make you up like Tammy Faye Baker. (And don't get talked into buying the latest beauty breakthrough from France that promises to cure everything from under-eye circles to monthly water weight gain...)