Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I often dark circles. Nothing much works. I do notice a difference - oftentimes a major difference - when I eat VERY healthy and when I get enough sleep. Both are rare with me, particularly the latter. I do know that the less junk and toxins, the better. As to sleep, I hardly ever get enough sleep, but I feel fine. I sleep when I’m tired and can’t force myself to sleep when I’m not. I can't fight it. Dark Shadows under eyes may be caused by: • Age (dark circles are more prominent as we age because the skin gets thinner and blood vessels under the eyes become more visible) • Allergies (one of the most common causes) • Dehydration – not enough water • Food Allergies • Gluten Sensitivities • Heredity • Liver congestion • Excessive use of drugs and medication • Nutrient Deficiency and an unbalanced diet • Poor Sleep Habits • Stress • Too Much Sugar • Weak Kidney Energy More tips to follow ... and please, if you have tips, please share. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 To help reduce dark circles, start your morning with a glass of warm water and the juice of a whole lemon. This should be done first thing in the morning before you eat anything. It also helps to cleanse your liver and to detox your system. Build up your kidneys by eating more of the following foods: Aduki Beans Barley Beets Black Beans Black Sesame Seeds Blackberries Celery Chives Cinnamon Bark Cloves Cranberry Juice – natural – 2 glasses daily Dandelion Tea Fennel Fenugreek Tea Garlic Ginger Green Onions Kidney Beans Mung Beans Onions Parsley Quinoa Raspberries Wild Salmon (not farmed) Seaweeds - but get a GOOD non-polluted brand (see below) Sweet Rice Trout Uva Ursi Tea Walnuts Water Chestnuts Wheat Berries If you are iron-deficient, you can suffer inadequate oxygen flow to your body tissues and will have pale skin, which causes the bluish veins underneath the eyes to stand out. See more iron tips below. There are many great food sources of iron, and as always, this is the best way to go. Try to avoid iron supplements. Vitamin C can increase iron absorption by as much as 30%. So drinking orange juice, eating strawberries, green peppers, etc. along with your iron-rich foods is a good idea. Iron-rich foods include: Almonds Beans Eggs Enriched Cereals Fish Leafy Greens Liver Meat Poultry Raisins Whole grains Drink enough water. Even slight dehydration can make dark circles appear under your eyes. Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day. Foods rich in Essential Fatty Acids: Olive oil Rapeseed oil Oily fish twice a week (sardines, anchovies, mackerel, wild Alaskan salmon or small fish from cold waters – not farmed fish) Omega-3 eggs Nuts Chia Seeds Omega-9 fats – olive oil, avocados, macadamia nuts Seaweeds have so many benefits They’re rich in iodine and other minerals Sea vegetables (agar, arame, hijiki, kombu, nori, sea palms, and wakame) have some of the highest mineral content of any plants—especially calcium, iron, and iodine (the latter of which supports thyroid health)—all vital for women). Increase your iodine intake with mineral-rich sea vegetables (agar, hijiki, kombu, nori, and wakame) at least twice a week. You can eat as much seaweed as you want. Seaweed can be used in soups or salads and can be added to beans and lentils Since toasting doesn’t affect seaweed’s iodine content, you can eat it dried or dried and toasted. Toast some in the oven or in a dry frying pan to see if you prefer that taste. You can also powdered seaweed to your food or add larger pieces of seaweed to soups, grains, or vegetables. Seaweed should be an enjoyable addition to your diet, not an unpleasant experience. If you simply don’t like its taste, you can get it in capsules. Not all seaweeds are safe to eat. Some come from polluted waters. Be more cautious and talk to a naturopath if you’re on thyroid meds and want to try seaweed. I use Seaweed Gomasio (a sort of healthy salt replacement) from amazon. Some say to drink tomato juice with some mint leaves, lemon juice and sea salt. Eat vitamin-E rich foods for healthy eyes - avocados, olive oil, almonds, nuts, and sunflower seeds Fiber is important to get rid of all the accumulated toxins. Two types of fiber keep things moving. Insoluble fiber (bran, lignans and other substances in seeds, vegetables, and whole grains) Most people think that bran is the best type of fiber to eat. But bran (wheat fiber) is mostly insoluble and doesn't get digested. Think of it as more of a scouring pad for your intestines. That's good for getting you regular, but it just can't help your health the way that soluble fiber can. Soluble fiber (found in fruits, veggies, peas, beans, nuts, seeds, most whole grains, oats, oatmeal, barley, rye, chia seeds, psyllium, and flaxseed) Most in the Western world average only about 5 to 10 grams of fiber each day from the diet. The truth is we need as much as 35 to 50 grams to move hazardous wastes through the digestive tract quickly. The secret to bulking up with both types is to slowly add fiber to your diet. Switching abruptly to a high-fiber diet can cause gas and bloating. Increase your fiber intake slowly till you get up to 50 grams a day. Adding more fiber increases your need for water, so drink water throughout the day. Half a glass, an hour, whenever possible is ideal, and better than drinking 2 or 3 glasses at a time, which can cause bloating. Water helps to cleanse your body of impurities, which can contribute to dark eye circles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Reduce use of sugar, white flour, alcohol and caffeinated sodas. Sugar and white flour are enemies of beauty and overall health. They lead to internal and external inflammation and puffiness. The less sugar and white flour, the better. SUPPLEMENTS THAT MAY HELP I get my supplements from vitacost or amazon – great prices and reviews I do believe that although supplements are important, a healthy diet can't take the place of supplements. I don’t know how effective any supplement can be for under eye circles :confused:. Worth a try, however, and, if so, for at least 8-12 weeks Uva Ursi Capsules – 500 mg Magnesium Some say to take equal amounts of calcium and magnesium. For most people on a healthy diet, 500 mg of each supplement should be enough. If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency (most of us are deficient in magnesium) – if you’re feeling edgy, have muscle cramps, suffer insomnia, crave chocolate, or notice increased urination, adjust your calcium-magnesium ratio, so that you’re taking at least as much magnesium or—ideally—twice as much magnesium as calcium. 400-1200 mg daily of Magnesium is helpful but use according to bowel tolerance. Your body knows how much magnesium you can tolerate from bowel tolerance – take as much magnesium as your bowels can tolerate If you can, add 100 mg of magnesium to your nutritional supplements, and increase it by 100 mg every few days until your stools are soft, but not uncomfortably loose. Take in divided doses and with meals to ensure optimal absorption – preferably more at night Some say to not take magnesium with calcium - I think that that is preferable. Calcium, magnesium, and many other minerals are best absorbed when they are bound to an acidic carrier such as citrate, aspartate, picolinate, or amino acid chelate. Minerals need an acidic base to break down and get used. The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good. Avoid magnesium carbonate, oxide, sulfate, and gluconate. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements). Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to magnesium glycinate. People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor's supervision. Horsetail - 500 mg twice a day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Iron is a double-edged mineral for women. Menstruating women lose iron-rich blood every month, plus pregnancy, nursing, and strenuous physical exercise dramatically increase the need for this mineral. But later in life, excess iron, which accumulates in the body after menopause, may increase women’s risk for cancer and heart disease. Iron supplements may be used by tumors to promote their growth. Stored iron normally increases as we age, but in a few people, it is very high. The next time that you have a blood test, ask that your ferritin level be tested. It’s a simple and inexpensive aspect of stroke protection. If you’re over 50 or have experienced early or surgically induced menopause, see your doctor for a hematocrit, hemoglobin, and/or ferritin test to determine if you need iron. The ferritin test, which assesses stored iron, is most important here. If your levels approach anywhere from 150 to 200 ng/mL on the ferritin test, do avoid extra iron in supplements, iron-enriched grains, and cut down on red meat. You might want to consider an iron-free multivitamin. Iron supplements are really just pumping so much iron into your system and forcing your body to make a few new storage areas (ferritin points) to store them - meanwhile the rest of all that iron is floating around as free iron (free radicals) that are very likely to cause all sorts of problems (possibly cancer and arthritis to name a few). Iron oxidizes. If you take too much supplemental iron, it can lead to cancer. This is why there are few multivitamin formulas for postmenopausal women that contain iron. If you have had cancer, or if there is a high incidence of cancer in your family, you may want to take a formula without added iron unless a blood test determines that you are iron-deficient, in which case, natural sources may be far superior. Iron supplements should also be avoided if you have arthritis. Too much iron can increase the production of free radicals in your brain cells and the tiny blood vessels in your brain, thereby increasing the risk of stroke. If your iron levels are too high, your brain cells can release a neurotransmitter called glutamate that can trigger chemical reactions causing brain-cell death. Things that can deplete iron include: • Excessive intake of coffee or tea • Strenuous exercise • Heavy perspiration • Prolonged or heavy menstrual cycles • Nursing Yellow Dock drops are said to be the best and healthiest source of iron. Drops, I think, are usually better absorbed than capsules. Alcohol-free ones don't taste as foul. Spirulina – 5-10 grams a day or up to 20 capsules per day – excellent source of iron Essential Fatty Acids – a good fish oil – such as Carlson’s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 OTHER TIPS – WHAT MAY HELP Rotate your foods. In other words, do not eat the same foods every day. I need to work on this. I tend to be very boring when I'm trying to be healthy. Treat your allergies, alleviate nasal congestion and cure sinusitis. See a doctor or naturopath if you do not know what you are allergic to. Make sure you check for food allergies as well as seasonal allergies. Congestion of any kind can be a culprit because it will darken and dilate veins that drain from the eyes to the nose. People who suffer chronic sinusitis often have dark circles under the eyes. Try a detox and/or an allergy-free diet The more I think about it, the more I realize that a healthier diet with minimal amounts of processed food and toxins, benefit our overall health and well-being. A healthy diet really shows up in the skin and can help reduce under eye circles. I love the book “Food Rules†by Michael Pollan. Eat mostly plant-based foods and less junk. Get moving if you are sedentary. Exercise will boost circulation and improve your overall health. The Supported Shoulderstand is one of my favorite yoga poses. Katherine Hepburn used to do this every day for at least 10 minutes. It is the best yoga posture to reduce puffiness and maybe dark circles of the eyes and it should be performed daily. Obviously, get enough sleep. A lack of sleep makes the under eye circles appear more prominent. There are supplements to help with sleep. Sleep on extra pillows. The higher elevation that an extra pillow adds helps reduce the build-up of fluid that naturally occurs in the lower lids when you sleep. Stop smoking. Smoking leads to dark circles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 HOME REMEDIES I know that turmeric is nature’s best skin lightener. Very small amounts need to be used, however, or you’ll end up looking like an Oompa Loompa :lol: and possibly smelling like an international food store. Apply a paste of turmeric powder with almond oil for treatment of dark circles under the eyes. This is said to be very effective home remedy for dark circles under eyes. I need to try this. Massage with almond oil under and around eyes at bedtime daily for 3 weeks. This is said to be effective. Almond oil contains vitamin E and is a monounsaturated fatty acid, both of which benefit skin. Almond Oil is considered best in removing dark circles. Utilize cold therapy. Chill and apply moisturizers with vitamins K and/or E, sesame oil, safflower oil or avocado oil, or use two spoons that were refrigerated. Place the spoons under the eyes for 10 minutes. Freeze parsley in some ice cubes and apply under the eyes. Parsley has chlorophyll that can aid in fading under-eye circles. Put raw cucumber or potato slices on the eyes for 20 minutes, soak cotton balls in cold rose water and wear them for 10 minutes, or mix lemon and tomato juices in equal amounts and apply to the dark circles twice daily. Apply crushed mint leaves under the eyes for 20 minutes. This is said to be a very effective dark circles cure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 PRODUCTS I have not tried any of the following, but have heard good things about all of them. Personally, I have yet to find any product that truly delivers. I have never found a product that works as well as sleep and eating super-healthy, both of which are not always easy to do. I think that the key with any product, supplement, or lifestyle change – is time and persistence. Some of these products only seem to work when used for six months and twice a day. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) tested several formulas over the course of 8 weeks. None of the treatments significantly reduced dark circles, one lightened them slightly in lab tests, and the majority of participants agreed that the cream diminished the darkness. As one volunteer said, “It seems to lighten my circles a bit, though not as much as I’d like, but there is a difference.†This cream was Biopelle Auriderm Illume Eye Crème – yet the reviews on amazon do not look promising or at least very helpful. Those who have reviewed have not used the product for very long. I’ve recently come across a great skin care line and their products for dark circles look promising. http://www.dhccare.com/DHC/Category.aspx?Catalog=DHC+USA&Category=Skincare/EyeCare http://www.dhccare.com/DHC/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=104#ReadReviews http://www.dhccare.com/DHC/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=72#ReadReviews https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=374&menuId=219&withLinks=1 Item#: 374 NutriMinC RE9 Corrective Eye Crème Available on amazon also This cream is said to work if you use it for 6 months and twice a day. http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-30375-devita-natural-skin-care-under-eye-repair-serum-05-oz Some are happy with the Under Eye Repair Serum from Devita. It can be costly. Available at vitacost.com also where it may be cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 For allergies, consider the following. Eat nutritious, colorful foods – blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, fruits, veggies More Omega-3s (wild salmon, mackerel, walnuts, chia seeds) Eat 1 oz of walnuts daily – walnuts contain a healthy fat called ALA, which keeps your immune system working properly, so it’s less likely to overreact to pollen in the air. Get enough fluids – water and warm drinks as well Spicy foods help if you’re stuffed up and can open up nasal passages Quercetin (apples, onions, citrus fruits, and garlic) works like antihistamines Apple skins are loaded with quercetin. Quercetin may help relieve congestion, itchy eyes, and other pesky allergy symptoms. Omega-3 Supplements – Carlson’s Fish Oil Vitamin D3 reduces inflammation in infected lung tissues Without D3 the body’s immune soldiers—T cells—can’t fight infections Probiotics – Take them daily (particularly a brand with shelf-stable lactobacillus) while you’re on antibiotics and for at least 3 months after you finish your Rx. Those with grass pollen allergies who take probiotics experience fewer allergy symptoms than those who don’t. Any probiotic you take should contain at least 1-5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs). Nature’s Way Primadoophilus Optima delivers more than 35-billion CFUs. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 PLUS Culturelle Nature’s Way Probifia Pearls Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls Jarrow Butterbur – works like an antihistamine. It can work as well as Zyrtec or Allegra at relieving allergy symptoms. A common brand is Petadolex. Make sure the label specifies that pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been removed. Get ones with capsules free of Pas, compounds found in crude butterbur that are toxic to the liver. If you don’t have a history of allergies and just experience occasional flare-ups, you might get relief from a general homeopathic blend. Take combination blends when symptoms strike. Or if you know you have seasonal allergies, it may help to start the formula a couple of weeks before the season begins. Boiron’s Sabadil Hyland’s Seasonal Allergy Relief Heel’s Luffeel Nasal Spray QBC Plex is a good supplement to take. It has Querctin, Bromelain and Vitamin C. The quercetin is for the allergies, bromelain for swelling in nasal tissues and the vitamin C is just good for healing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 POSSIBLE FOOD ALLERGY The foods you can’t digest well How can you tell? Eliminate the suspect – wheat or dairy, for instance – for a week. On the 8th day, bring that food back and eat it 3 or 4 times. For the next 3 days, watch for signs like: • increased mucus production • asthma-like symptoms • skin rashes • gas • bloating • heartburn • fatigue • mood changes The most common food allergies are: wheat, milk, eggs, and peanuts Saturated Fats Processed Foods Highly-Refined Carbohydrates For puffiness, try to do the following: Minimize salt Avoid eating after 8 PM or even sooner Avoid eating very heavy or fatty meals at night Workout in the morning Wash your face in the coldest possible water that you can tolerate. Splash it 20 or so times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Part of it is just getting older. As we age, we lose some of the fat in our faces. That causes shadows under our eyes. So, you can make major changes, but it might only have minimal effect. Unless, of course, you can afford fillers etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Part of it is just getting older. As we age, we lose some of the fat in our faces. That causes shadows under our eyes. So, you can make major changes, but it might only have minimal effect. Unless, of course, you can afford fillers etc. Very true. One other way of hiding them are glasses that have a slight tint to them (transition lenses). :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 touche eclat---the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 touche eclat---the best I'm not usually a make up person. In fact, I no longer wear any make up at all other than tinted lip balm occasionally. Will look into this next time I see it somewhere. I'm never much good at getting the right shade ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin's Song Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I don't have time to read through all of your info right now, so I'm sorry if you mentioned this already. Dark circles were one of the main symptoms of my underactive thyroid. They were quite dark in the year before I was diagnosed, when I was showing lots of hypo symptoms but my bloodwork was coming back normal. I was eventually diagnosed with Hashimoto's. I think I remember you saying that you keep an eye on your thyroid (was that you???), but I just thought I would mention it in case you have any other symptoms. I wish I was brave enough to post before and after pictures! I don't have a trace of those dark circles now that I am medicated :D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I'm not usually a make up person. In fact, I no longer wear any make up at all other than tinted lip balm occasionally. Will look into this next time I see it somewhere. I'm never much good at getting the right shade ... qvc or sephora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 This is the magic eraser of under eye circles. I swear by it. http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P59405&categoryId=B70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asta Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 They can also be caused by head injuries (yes, even a concussion can cause mild "black eyes" that don't want to go away) and recurring seizures. You should see me the morning after I've had a seizure in my sleep. I look as if someone smacked me. And it doesn't fade immediately, either. If a person has an undiagnosed disorder, they can have that haunted look for most of their life - often attributing it to "migraines". a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialmama Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 I'm 36 and have age spots under my eyes. They appeared less than a year ago but are very obvious. They form a half circle under my eyes, so I think it's from wearing sunglasses that block UV rays but the skin immediately under the glasses is not protected. I really should wear sunscreen every day. :glare: I wonder if any of these tricks will work with age or sun spots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 I think I remember you saying that you keep an eye on your thyroid (was that you???)' date=' but I just thought I would mention it in case you have any other symptoms. I wish I was brave enough to post before and after pictures! I don't have a trace of those dark circles now that I am medicated :D.[/quote']I don't have a thyroid problem, but I am sometimes suspicious. Nonetheless, I do try to keep it healthy with Iodoral, etc. Good to hear that your dark shadows are gone. :) qvc or sephora Thanks so much. I'll probably have to be there in person to get the right shade. This is the magic eraser of under eye circles. I swear by it.http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P59405&categoryId=B70 Diane, thanks so much. These forums always cause me to spend too much $$, although this looks really good. :D I'm 36 and have age spots under my eyes. They appeared less than a year ago but are very obvious. They form a half circle under my eyes, so I think it's from wearing sunglasses that block UV rays but the skin immediately under the glasses is not protected. I really should wear sunscreen every day. :glare: I wonder if any of these tricks will work with age or sun spots? The turmeric thing I mentioned earlier should work. I apply a mask with a smidge of turmeric once a week. It makes my face glow like you wouldn't believe. Not sure yet about the age spots, but according to my esthetician who told me about it, it's worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialmama Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 The turmeric thing I mentioned earlier should work. I apply a mask with a smidge of turmeric once a week. It makes my face glow like you wouldn't believe. Not sure yet about the age spots, but according to my esthetician who told me about it, it's worth a try. HA! Out of all the awesome tips you posted, that is the one that caught my attention! That is what I will try, thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Yellow concealer works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 10, 2011 Author Share Posted June 10, 2011 HA! Out of all the awesome tips you posted, that is the one that caught my attention! That is what I will try, thank you! The turmeric one is the latest beauty experiment that I'm working on :D. I've tried it and continue to use it in my weekly masks. The key is to not use too much turmeric and to not leave it on for too long. Otherwise, trust me, you'll end up looking like Fiona in Shrek, or at least I did, or, like an Oompa Loompa Yesterday, I did the almond oil and turmeric recipe and applied it all over. Felt soooo good. But I left it on for 20 minutes and used a bit too much turmeric. Moderation is NOT my forte :lol:. Luckily, I didn't have anywhere very important to go ... Next time, hopefully tomorrow or on Sunday, will try it with a bit less turmeric and leave it on for 10 minutes. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 10, 2011 Author Share Posted June 10, 2011 Yellow concealer works well. Thanks ... For me, the key is to find the right shade. I don't usually wear make up. Used to wear lots and lots and lots ... ;) If I do, I don't want it to show at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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