Dark circles are a major aesthetic concern. But how do you get rid of them when they're hollow? Is it even possible? We answer the questions. 

Hollow circles under the eyes can give the appearance of a tired face and overall premature aging. These marks, which many consider unsightly, can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, aging, loss of volume under the eyes, stress or certain illnesses. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce the appearance of dark circles, or even make them disappear altogether, thanks to drastic methods that can restore a fresh, radiant look. What are the different methods and techniques that can help make hollow circles disappear effectively? They are legion, and not always as complicated as you might think. 

What are hollow circles? 

To know how to treat it, you first need to understand the phenomenon. Hollow circles are visible depressions or hollows, generally located under the eyes. It is characterized by a loss of volume and recession of the soft tissues at this level, creating the appearance of a hollow or valley under the skin. Hollow circles can give the impression of sunken or tired eyes, and can be more pronounced when the skin is thin or when the level of fat under the eyes decreases with age.

Common causes of hollow circles include natural aging, loss of collagen and elastin in the skin, loss of fat under the eyes, as well as hereditary or genetic factors. Lack of sleep, stress, poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle can also contribute to the appearance of hollow circles. Hollow circles can differ from colored circles, which are generally due to excessive skin pigmentation. While colored circles can be treated with color correctors or specific topical treatments, hollow circles often require more targeted approaches to restore the volume and appearance of the skin under the eyes... 

How can I avoid the appearance of dark circles? 

Can their appearance really be avoided? And how do you remove those pesky dark circles ? Hollow circles can't really be avoided, as they're a physical characteristic often linked to genetics. However, it can be reduced by adopting good habits. 

Always rely on good hydration 

Maintain good hydration by drinking enough water throughout the day (at least 1L per day, up to 2L in summer). It's no secret that well-hydrated skin tends to be more supple and less prone to the formation of dark circles. 

Get enough sleep! 

Going to bed early is no purge, especially when you know all the benefits of a good night's sleep. Make sure you get the right amount of sleep, preferably between 7 and 8 hours a night. Insufficient sleep can make skin look dull and tired, accentuating the appearance of dark circles. Please note that everyone's sleep schedule is different, so it's best to find a rhythm that suits you.

Use sun protection 

It's the new cosmetics credo: sun protection is an everyday thing, and it's essential if you want to preserve your youth and beauty, as well as the quality of your skin. Use sunscreen to protect the delicate skin around the eyes from sun damage. UV rays can accelerate skin aging and contribute to volume loss under the eyes.

Learning to manage stress 

There's nothing worse than stress to damage our bodies. It shows on the inside as well as the outside. Yes, it's a fact: excessive stress can affect the quality of your skin... To avoid this, practice stress management techniques regularly, such as meditation, mindful walking, yoga or deep breathing exercises. 

Protecting eyes and the eye contour area 

It's obvious, yet we (too) often forget to pay attention to the eye area... Wear sunglasses when exposed to bright or windy conditions, to avoid excessive squinting. Repeated wrinkling of the skin can lead to the formation of wrinkles and hollows under the eyes. Apply an eye contour serum morning and night to moisturize and nourish the extremely fragile skin around the eyeballs.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle 

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption ... Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can affect skin quality and contribute to the formation of dark circles. We know this, but putting new habits in place can be more complicated than you think. To start with, go gradually, trying to replace a craving for a cigarette with a sip of ice-cold water, for example. 

Adapting your beauty routine

Nothing beats a beauty routine tailored to your needs! Adopt a routine calibrated for you, using moisturizing and nourishing products for the under-eye area. Choose eye creams containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C or caffeine, which can help prevent the formation of hollow circles.

A few natural methods for reducing dark circles 

1. Massage: Gently massage around the under-eye area to stimulate blood and lymph circulation. Use clean fingers and gently tap from the inner corner of the eye outwards. This can help reduce the appearance of hollow circles by promoting fluid drainage and improving circulation.

2. Cold compresses: Apply cold compresses to the area of sunken dark circles for a few minutes every day. You can use infused and cooled tea bags, cold spoons or compresses soaked in cold water. Cold can help reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels, which can lessen the appearance of sunken dark circles.

3. Cucumber or potato: Place slices of raw cucumber or potato on your eyes for about 15 minutes. These vegetables contain anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help reduce sunken dark circles and refresh the skin.

4. Herbal infusions: Certain herbs can be beneficial in reducing the appearance of sunken dark circles. For example, you can brew green tea, chamomile or mint tea bags, then chill the mixture in the fridge. Soak cotton pads in the cold infusion and apply to the eyes for a few minutes. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of these plants can help soothe the skin and reduce sunken dark circles.

5. Healthy diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, especially those rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Foods such as berries, citrus fruits, spinach, carrots and avocados can contribute to skin health and the reduction of hollow circles.

6. Camouflage with make-up: there are now all kinds of extremely effective products to play with light and shadow and give the impression of filling in the hollowed-out circle. By applying a color-correcting concealer, followed by an illuminating concealer, you can effectively give the illusion of blurring the dark circles. The right tip? Stretch your concealer towards the beats for a luminous, lifted effect. On the cheekbones, add a touch of highlighter to brighten the look. 

It's important to note that these natural methods can be beneficial for some people, but results vary depending on the underlying cause of the dark circles. If you prefer something more effective and your dark circles are very pronounced, you can also turn to an aesthetic specialist who will be able to suggest suitable methods such as hyaluronic acid injections, filler injections or injections of your own fat in the area of your dark circles. For even more radical results, you can opt for cosmetic surgery for permanent treatment of dark circles.