4 Simple and Effective Tips to Improve Dark Circles Around the Eyes

Four types of dark circles under the eyes can be improved by acupuncture massage at the four acupuncture points of the eyes. Shutterstock

Staying up late is often the cause of dark circles under the eyes. However, sometimes the appearance of dark circles is a reflection of one’s physical condition.

Dr. Liao Wanrong, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner from Yurong Chinese Medicine Clinic in Taiwan, said there are four types of dark circles under the eyes: stasis and swelling type, nasal disease type, chronic allergic type, and aging eye bag type.

The dark circles of the stasis and swelling type are related to daily life and stress. Nasal ailments, such as allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, cause the nasal disease type. Chronic allergic type mainly occurs in patients with “blood stasis physique” (caused by circulation disorders), chronic conjunctivitis, allergies, and so on. Aging eye bag type is formed by fat sagging due to aging.

Liao emphasized that dark circles can reflect other diseases in the body, such as liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and aplastic anemia.

TCM Treatment of Dark Circles

For the four types of dark circles, Liao proposed various treatments.

1. Stasis and swelling type: take TCM herbal medicines for soothing the liver and regulating qi (vital energy).
2. Nasal disease type: first, deal with the underlying nasal conditions.
3. Chronic allergic type: use a cold compress to relieve itching and then use TCM medicine to promote blood circulation.
4. Aging eye bag type: take herbal supplements such as astragalus and codonopsis; apply alternating hot and cold compresses and acupuncture massage, which can help reduce eye bags.

In TCM, qi (vital energy), blood, essence, and body fluids originate from the internal organs and constantly flow inside the body—they are vital for health and well-being.

Apply hot and cold compresses alternately

Applying hot and cold compresses alternately is the easiest way to address all four types of dark circles, especially those related to stasis and swelling. Using compresses in this way not only improves blood and lymph circulation around the eyes but also eliminates edema and dark circles.

• Prepare a warm towel, about 100.4-104 degrees Fahrenheit (38-40 degrees Celsius).
• Put a wet towel in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer to create an “ice towel.”
• Apply the warm towel for one minute, then the ice towel for one minute (or 30 seconds if it feels too cold).
• Alternate between the hot and cold compresses about every 10 minutes.

The skin around the eyes is sensitive. Preparing gauze or a cotton handkerchief for children to cover their eyes before applying compresses is recommended.

Acupuncture massage around the eyes

TCM practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (qi) through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. Applying acupuncture to specific points is thought to improve the flow of qi, thereby improving health.

Massaging acupuncture points around the eyes can improve the four types of dark circles, particularly for aging eye bags.

• Jingming point: located in the depression in the inner corner of the eye.
• Chengqi point: located directly below the pupil (with the eyes looking straight ahead) at the lower orbit.
• Tongziliao point: extending from the outer corner of the eye to the far edge of the outermost orbital bone.
• Yuyao point: the ancients thought that the eyebrows were like fish; the Yuyao—which means fish waist—is in the middle of the eyebrows.

The four acupuncture points are pressed alternately with the left and right fingers. Press each point for six seconds, and repeat the cycle 20-30 times.

Jingming point: located in the depression in the inner corner of the eye. Chengqi point: situated directly below the pupil at the lower orbit. Shutterstock/The Epoch Times

Massage the acupuncture points around the nose

If you have dark circles caused by nasal problems, you should press the acupuncture points at each side of the nose, the Yingxiang and Bitong points.

• Yingxiang points: located at the lower outer sides of the nose.
• Bitong point:s located slightly above Yingxiang points.

Press each point for six seconds, and repeat the cycle 20-30 times to improve nasal problems.

According to TCM, forces in our environment cause many diseases. These forces are called the six external pathogenic influences: wind, cold, heat, dryness, dampness, and summer heat.

Liao said that the formation of dark circles is related to blood circulation, and “cold” can easily cause blood coagulation. Iced drinks affect blood circulation around the eyes and should generally be avoided.

Two groups of food can help

Liao suggested eating food rich in vitamin C and collagen to improve dark circles.

1. Vitamin C reduces the precipitation of melanin

Vitamin C improves vascular permeability and helps to reduce pigmentation around the eyes. Liao said, “Sweet peppers, cauliflower, and fruits such as guava are recommended. In TCM’s concept, they are rich in vitamin C and [are] non-cold foods.”

2. Collagen fights sagging eye bags

The aging eye bag type is related to the loss of collagen. People can eat more collagen-rich foods such as duck wings or the feet, skin, and tendons of pork.

Those who are worried about high cholesterol content and the possibility of cardiovascular disease can choose fish skin, sea cucumber, or food with high-quality protein, such as fish, meat, eggs, milk, and beans, combined with vitamin C, which can help collagen hyperplasia.

Use caution applying tea bags

Green tea and black tea contain tannins, which can reduce swelling and are good astringents, but tea bags also have other ingredients that can irritate the thin and tender skin around the eyes. Liao reminded people when using hot and cold tea bags alternately:

• Cover eyes with gauze first, then apply the tea bag.
• The temperature of the tea bag for the hot compress should be 100.4-104 degrees Fahrenheit (38-40 degrees Celsius); it should not be too hot.
• Store the iced tea bags in the refrigerator overnight (storing them for extended periods can cause mold).

Dark circles are not only an external problem but also reflect the condition of the internal organs. Liao emphasized that improving dark circles is based on internal conditioning, not applying eye creams or concealer.

“Enough sleep, a regular lifestyle, and proper exercise, which can relieve stress, really can help you to achieve big bright eyes,” she said.