Scalpel-free tips for younger-looking eyes

Q. “What can I do about the dark circles under my eyes?”

Dr. Fred:  

Let me break the bad news to you first: In my experience, the only surefire way to deal with those dark circles around your eyes is blepharoplasty…otherwise known as an “eye lift.”

That’s because, often times, those stubborn dark circles are a normal part of aging. The skin around your eyes naturally thins. You lose fat and collagen in your face. The blood vessels around your eyes become more visible.

And all of this results in droopy, dark bags.

Unfortunately, it’s just a simple, sad fact of nature. For most people, getting older comes with a little extra “baggage.” And there’s just not much you can do about it short of cosmetic surgery.

(This, of course, is assuming that you’re already getting enough sleep and eating right—two of the most obvious ways you can reduce puffiness and brighten your eyes up.)

And bear in mind that “eating right” also means eating right for your body.

Allergies can cause circles around your eyes, too—both food sensitivities and seasonal allergies. Congestion causes the veins around your sinuses to dilate and become darker. Which means that addressing these issues may be helpful, as well.

So that’s the good news.

While you probably won’t get rid of them entirely without going under the knife, there are things you can do to minimize the appearance of dark circles. And taking good care of your body is one of them.

Taking good care of your skin is another.

There are seven key supplements that I recommend to anyone interested in aging gracefully. They preserve collagen, hydrate your skin, and protect against free radical damage—a winning combination  if you want to keep looking young.

I wrote about this anti-aging protocol in my May 2012 issue.  But here’s a quick overview in case you missed it the first time:

• Fish oil (3,000 mg of DHA/EPA daily)
•  Silica (1,000 mg daily)
• Vitamin E (400-800 IU daily)
• Vitamin A (from foods like kale, sweet potatoes, and spinach)
• Zinc (30 mg daily)
• Selenium (200 mcg daily)
• Pycnogenol (100 mg daily)

This supplement routine won’t be the “magic bullet” that surgery is. But it will help you look and feel a whole lot younger.

And needless to say, it’s a whole lot less hassle, too.