Dark Circles Under your Eyes: Causes and Treatment
Dark circles refer to the appearance of dark or discolored skin under the eyes, often giving a tired or aged look. Dark circles refer to the appearance of dark or discolored skin under the eyes, often giving a tired or aged look.
These circles can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, lack of sleep, dehydration, allergies, or skin thinning. Dark circles often look purple, blue, or dark brown and form around the eyes.
The colour of the circle depends on the colour of the skin. Having dark circles under the eyes is common and rarely something to worry about, but for cosmetic reasons, many people want to get rid of dark circles.
People often associate dark circles with tiredness or a lack of sleep. While these can contribute to the appearance of dark circles, there are other common causes, such as poor diet or sun exposure.
Types Of Dark Circles
These are classified based on clinical analysis, pigmentation pattern, and vasculature.
|
Types |
Appearance |
|
Pigmented (P) |
Like the shade of brown under the eyes |
|
Vascular (V) |
A shade of blue/pink/purple color +/- swelling |
|
Structural(s) |
shadow tone Associated with bags and furrows of the lower eyelid Fat loss with bony prominence. |
|
mixed type |
Combination of 2 or 3 of the above (PV, PS, PVS, etc) |
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Get A Second OpinionSymptoms of Dark Circles
The main symptom of dark circles is the appearance of darkened skin under the eyes. Other symptoms that may accompany dark circles include:
- Puffiness: Swelling around the eyes, especially in the mornings, is common.
- Fine lines and wrinkles: As the skin thins, wrinkles and fine lines may form around the eyes.
- Itching or redness: These may occur if the cause is allergies or irritation.
Causes of Dark Circles
Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by a variety of conditions, including inflammation, allergies, and lifestyle factors. If symptoms persist, contact the doctor.
Some medical conditions can cause dark circles and discoloration under the eyes, including:
- Genetics: Dark circles can run in families. Thinner skin under the eyes may make blood vessels more visible.
- Lack of Sleep: Sleep deprivation causes skin paleness, highlighting dark blood vessels under the eyes.
- Age: Aging causes skin thinning and reduced collagen, making dark circles more prominent.
- Allergies: Allergies cause inflammation and rubbing, which worsens dark circles.
- Sun Exposure: Excessive sun exposure increases melanin production, leading to darkened skin around the eyes.
- Dehydration: Lack of hydration causes the skin to appear dull, making dark circles more noticeable.
- Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency can cause anemia, making the skin pale and dark circles more visible.
- Smoking: Smoking reduces blood circulation and accelerates skin aging, leading to dark circles.
- Stress: Stress can cause poor sleep, dehydration, and skin issues, all contributing to dark circles.
Medical Treatments for Dark Circles
While dark circles are usually not a serious concern, several medical treatments can help reduce their appearance:
- Topical Creams: Creams with ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, or vitamin C can improve skin texture, reduce pigmentation, and boost collagen.
- Chemical Peels: Chemical peels exfoliate the outer skin layer, helping to reduce pigmentation and refresh the skin.
- Laser Therapy: Laser treatments stimulate collagen production and reduce pigmentation under the eyes, improving appearance.
- Injectable Fillers: Fillers like hyaluronic acid restore volume to the under-eye area, reducing dark circles caused by thinning skin.
- Blepharoplasty: This procedure removes fat from under the eyes to reduce the shadow cast by the eyelid, helping to lessen the appearance of dark circles.
- Microneedling: Microneedling creates tiny skin injuries to stimulate collagen and improve skin tone.
- Surgical Options: In severe cases, surgery (like blepharoplasty) can address under-eye hollows and improve skin texture.
A dermatologist treatment for dark circles may use a handheld dermatoscopy tool to closely examine the skin. They may perform blood tests to check the blood cell count, blood chemistry, nutritional status, and certain hormone levels.
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Dark Circles
- Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to rejuvenate your skin.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin healthy and reduce dark circles.
- Use Sunscreen: Protect the delicate skin around your eyes from UV rays to prevent pigmentation.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: A diet rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C and iron, supports skin health.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking accelerates skin aging and worsens dark circles.
- Manage Stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation or yoga to improve overall health and skin appearance.
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Book an AppointmentHow Can Dark Circles be Prevented?
- The researchers found that stress increased the appearance of dark circles, while rest and healthy lifestyle habits decreased discoloration.
- Wearing sunglasses with UV protection that cover the eyes and using sunscreen around the eyes can help prevent or reduce dark circles.
- Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can speed up the body's aging process and increase the risk of dark circles under the eyes.
- Sleeping with extra pillows to elevate the head and reduce puffiness in lower eyelids
Home Remedies for Dark Circles
- Cold Compress: Reduces puffiness and constricts blood vessels, making dark circles less noticeable.
- Cucumber Slices: Soothes and hydrates the skin, reducing the appearance of dark circles.
- Tea Bags: The caffeine and antioxidants in tea help reduce puffiness and dark circles. Place chilled tea bags on the eyes for 10-15 minutes.
- Almond Oil and Vitamin E: Hydrates and lightens the skin. Gently massage under the eyes before bed.
- Rose Water: Soothes the skin. Apply with a cotton ball for a calming effect.
- Potato Slices: Natural bleaching agents in potatoes can lighten the skin. Place slices on your eyes for 10 minutes.
- Honey and Milk: Moisturizes and brightens the skin. Apply under the eyes for 15 minutes before rinsing.
