Sun exposure, genetics, screen time, pigmentation and the usual wear of life often manifest themselves as dark circles under your eyes, saggy bags or crows’ feet. The question remains, how to reduce dark circles, fine lines and eye bags?
In my case, lack of sleep and travel-induced dehydration leads to puffiness, eliciting the “you look tired” judgement. But is there a way to make the inevitable signs of a life fully lived less obvious? “Simple DIY methods, topical options and in-clinic treatments, there are many things you can lean on to brighten, smoothen, lift, plump, depuff the delicate area and fake a full night’s rest (even when you’ve not got it),” assures Dr Neha Sachde, Mumbai-based celebrity skin expert and founder of Metamorphosis Clinic.
Use targeted skincare
Unfortunately, there aren’t too many topical additives that will completely alleviate shadows for good, but brightening and anti-ageing skincare often help tamp woes around the eye region. “If the under-eye circles are caused by pigmentation, then kojic acid, licorice extract and vitamin C are good ingredients to lighten it up. Noreva Trio White XP Anti-Dark Spot Eye Contour Care Cream and iS Clinical C Eye Serum Advance+ and are my favourites for discolouration,” shares Dr Kiran Sethi, Delhi-based dermatologist and medical head of Isya Aesthetics.
“For vascular insufficiency where blood flow is poor, hesperidin, vitamin K or caffeine are ideal. Consider Sesderma K-vit Dark Circle Serum and iS Clinical Eye Complex to tackle it. For hollows and lines, look for plumping and collagen boosting ingredients like retinol and peptides, as in Fillerina® Eye Contour Cream and ZO® Skin Health Growth Factor Serum,” Dr Sethi adds. A good formula shouldn’t cause irritation to the delicate skin around the eyes, she cautions.
The best in-clinic treatments you must try
Bear in mind that like eye creams, in-clinic treatments are not one-size-fits-all. “Dermatologist-led procedures are far more sophisticated and effective to treat discolouration, lines and puffiness,” asserts Dr Sachde. A site-specific treatment is key because the concerns around the area can vary in both cause and cure, she elaborates. “Laser therapy is very efficacious in reducing the fluid spread caused by broken capillaries and takes light energy to exfoliate the skin. This helps in lightening the under-eye area,” Dr Sachde avers. “Chemical peels, which entail applying a chemical solution (arginine + kojic acid) on the under-eye area, can also bring an even tone to the damaged region by peeling the outer layers off. Eyecell is reliable to create pinpoint bleeding in the treatment area that promotes active wound healing and blood circulation, thus lightening the dark circles.”