Dark circles – a very personal journey!
I had grade 3 dark circles with perioral pigmentation from a young age. I always thought and was told these were difficult to treat and were hereditary. Here’s an account of my journey in treating my dark circles.
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As is the case with most people, I used every possible over-the-shelf product out there, including fairness creams. In addition, I tried almost all the home remedies, which included drinking more water, cucumber slices, coffee powder applications, aloe vera gel, etc. I also thought my dark circles were due to lack of sleep, especially when I was at the med school.
The eye-opener was when I got trained in the field of facial aesthetics. That’s where I understood the dynamics of dark circles and that they are multifactorial. My dark circles were because of the following reasons:
- Hereditary – mainly the facial skeleton or bony framework pattern, with prominent cheekbones and deep-set eyes
- Pigmentation – Inherent skin pigmentation
- Early skin aging – loss of collagen and laxity
- Increased vascularity –mainly due to long hours of work leading to vasodilation and increased vessels.
How did I finally control the beast?
I looked at my condition holistically.
I worked on my lifestyle, which included:
- a clean diet with lots of fruits and vegetables (some cheat days are always allowed),
- a disciplined pattern of waking and sleeping no matter how busy I am
- regular physical exercising and,
- meditation and staying positive to keep my mind healthy.
Lifestyle changes are a must- they lay the foundation of our intrinsic environment and go a long way in helping us achieve holistic health. A robust inherent health helps reduce stress, eliminate free radicals and slows down overall ageing of the mind, body, and skin.
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I worked on all my structural issues in a tailored fashion and, most importantly, regularly and for several years. Consistency and patience are vital! Yes, there were some bad days when I thought nothing was working, but cosmetic treatments require discipline.
I used cosmetic injectables injections around my eyes to iron out the fine lines and rolls, which decreased the shadowing.
Finally, I started using cosmeceuticals ZO skin healthcare (which I practice) for almost 11 years and continue to use them. The products included the getting skin-ready regime (cleanser, scrub, oil pads, sunscreen) and alternately anti-aging and skin brightening products.
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Do I still have dark circles?
Yes, I do; Dark circles can never be 100% corrected. But they are less prominent, and I don’t have to cover them up with make-up. My skin looks healthier, younger, and brighter.
Aging and especially the area around the eyes, is delicate and needs regular treatment and care. I will continue to follow a disciplined approach to a healthy lifestyle and relevant skincare throughout my life.
So next time you are tempted to use that so-called quick fix to treat your Dark Circles, remember- there is no silvery bullet. Dark circles are a complex medical condition and require a customized approach to treatment.