Ever increasing circles
Question
I have really dark circles round my eyes. I do drink quite a lot - and I wondered if alcohol could be causing the dark circles? I really want to get rid of them; they make me feel very self-conscious. Is there anything I can do?
Answer
Feeling paranoid and insecure about the way you look can be difficult to cope with. But it's worth remembering that many people won't notice the dark circles around your eyes. They're probably also worrying about a part of their own appearance they are unhappy with.
In most cases, dark circles around the eyes are perfectly natural and can sometimes be inherited. They can also be due the the skin around the eyes thinning as we get older. This thinner skin allows darker shadows of bone and blood vessels to show through.
Fatigue can also be a cause for these dark areas so if your sleep patterns are being disturbed, this could be a factor. Sometimes, alcohol can affect sleep so there is a possibility that the drinking and the dark circles around your eyes are linked.
There are several creams and eye gels on the market which claim to alleviate dark circles. Unfortunately, there are no reliable short-term treatments for dark rings. However, it's worth trying to reduce or cut out alcohol because you may find this has a positive effect on your eyes. You may also find that sticking to a balanced diet and generally trying to live a healthy lifestyle will be of benefit.
Good answer? Bad info? Want to tell us what you think? We'd really like to hear what you've got to say about this answer so please click here to take the survey. Your feedback is confidential and as anonymous as you like.
