Dark Circles Under Eyes: A Comprehensive Guide
A dark circle under the eyes is also known as a periorbital dark circle. It often means the skin under your eyes getting darkened.
Depending on skin color, this area may appear blue, brown, or black.
These dark circles may make you look older and more tired.
Dark under-eye circles may have many possible causes. They are not a symptom of any disease or medical complication.
These are not a cause of concern but can affect your cosmetic look.
Dark circles can be treated at home or undergo medicinal treatment.
Your doctor may prescribe you proper treatment depending on the cause.
Continue reading to know more about dark circles under the eyes, treatment, causes, and prevention.
Who is affected
Dark circles under the eyes affect many people of all races, sexes, and ages.
All skin colors or types can show different severity of dark circles too.
Dark circles under the eyes are common in some groups of people.
Some of these groups include:
- Elderly people
- Family history of dark circles under the eyes
- People have darker skin colors
Causes of dark circles under eyes
Dark circles under the eyes may occur for many reasons, and one of the common reasons is aging.
As people age, the skin under the eyes starts losing up and thinning out.
This causes blood vessels under the eyes to be more visible. This can darken the appearance of the eyes.
Hollowed areas in the eyes, known as tear troughs, can also develop.
Some other causes of dark circles under the eyes may include the following:
Genetics
Some studies have shown that dark circles under the eyes may be hereditary.
Many people have noticed dark circles under the eyes if their parents had the same condition.
Dermatitis
Contact Dermatitis and Eczema can cause blood vessels under the eyes to dilate and show through the skin.
This can cause dark circles under the eyes.
Rubbing eyes
Scratching and rubbing the eyes can break blood vessels under the eyes, which can cause dark circles.
Lack of sleep
Bad sleeping habits and lack of sleep can cause the skin under your eyes to pale.
Thus, blood vessels can easily show through the skin, causing dark circles.
Hyperpigmentation
Exposure to excessive sunlight can cause your body to make more melanin.
Melanin is a pigment that gives color to your skin, and excess production can cause dark circles.
Dehydration
The skin under the eyes can look dull if you don’t drink enough water.
It will change the color of your under-eye skin.
Lifestyle changes
Changes in certain lifestyles, such as stress, depression, excessive alcohol, and smoking, can cause dark circles under the eyes.
Anemia
Iron deficiency or Anemia can also cause dark circles under the eyes.
In this condition, the body’s tissue does not get enough oxygen which results in the darkening of the skin.
Home remedies
Some people may reduce their dark circles under the eyes using simple home remedies.
Only some of the remedies are scientifically proven. Still, you can try them as they are inexpensive and have no side effects.
Here are home remedies to decrease dark circles that you can try:
Cold compress
Applying a cold compress over the eyes can narrow the blood vessel’s size.
This can help in reducing dark circles under the eyes.
More sleep
You must get enough sleep every night to reduce or prevent dark circles.
Keeping the head on extra pillows can also help reduce darkness and swelling under the eyes.
Cucumber
Keeping cucumber slices over the eye may soothe tired eyes.
The high amount of water and vitamin C may help to nourish the skin.
Cucumber also contains silica which helps in maintaining healthy tissues.
Tea bags
Tea bags help in reducing the dark circles under the eyes.
Caffeine has antioxidant properties that stimulate blood circulation around the eyes.
Facials
Poor blood circulation around the eyes may also cause the eye’s skin to appear darker.
Gentle massage around the eyes can help in improving blood circulation.
Antioxidants skin care products
Face creams and under-the-eye products containing antioxidants may help to minimize the effect of dark circles under the eyes.
Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help in treating dark circles.
Makeup
Makeup cannot treat dark circles under the eye.
But they can help to cover the eye’s dark areas using an under-the-eye concealer.
Medical Treatments
If home remedies do not help you in getting rid of the dark circles under the eyes.
You must consult a doctor for advice on various treatments.
Some of the available treatment options include:
Topical creams
There are various creams used to reduce hyperpigmentation.
Topical creams like vitamin C and bleaching agents like Hydroquinone can help to lighten the skin.
If you have dark circles due to pigmentation, your doctor may recommend the following medicines:
| Medicines | Approx. Cost |
| Melalite Forte 4% | $5.00 |
| Skin Lite 25gm | $3.81 |
| Melamet Cream 15gm | $10.78 |
Hyaluronic acid fillers
These treatments are widely used for dark circles because of thin skin or tear troughs.
Several fillers like Hyaluronic acid (HA) are used to treat dark circles.
Higher HA content in fillers can show better volumizing and retaining effects.
But, excessive volumizing can result in the puffiness of the eyes.
So, low-concentration fillers are suggested to reduce dark circles under the eyes.
Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)
It is a concentration of plasma protein. It is derived from the patient blood by removing red blood cells.
It has a very high amount of growth factors and proteins.
Growth factors in PRP produce Melanin production in injected areas.
It works by slowing extracellular signal-regulated Kinase activity.
Chemical peeling
Chemical peeling is an application of more than one agent that helps control skin destruction.
This type of treatment can be less or more intense. It depends on how deep these peels penetrate the skin.
These penetrations can be classified as light, medium, or deep penetration.
Some of the chemical peels are
- Trichloroacetic acid
- Glycolic acids
- Alpha-Hydroxy acids
These acids are available in a concentration of 15%, 25%, 50%, and 75%.
They work by reducing the adhesiveness of Corneocytes by inhibition of enzymes.
Apart from the given options, Glycolic acids are the most widely used Alpha hydroxy acids.
This acid is used at 50 to 80 % concentration and should only be used under the doctor’s supervision.
Laser treatment
Many effective laser treatments are available to reduce dark circles under the eyes.
Some of the treatments are
- Q-switched Alexandrite (755 nm)
- Q-switched Ruby (694 nm)
- Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (1064 nm)
According to a study, laser light treatments are effective in treating hyperpigmentation.
There was good improvement in many patients after the first therapy.
Moreover, the skin becomes lightened after the second session of treatment.
Surgery
A procedure called Blepharoplasty removes excess fat and skin from the area of the eye.
The surgery alone is not that much effective for most patients.
But according to a study, using deep-depth phenol chemical peel with surgery can treat hyperpigmentation.
The study also showed very low incidences of any side effects and complications.
Prevention
Dark circles under the eyes cannot always be prevented.
But, some lifestyle changes you can make to prevent dark circles.
These changes may include the following:
- Use sun protection: Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your face and around your eyes. Always try to wear sunglasses while going out
- Adjust your sleep schedule: Make sure to go to bed on time. Get at least seven or eight hours of sleep every night
- Reduce your stress: Find healthy ways to manage your stress. Keep yourself busy with daily tasks and self-care
- Avoid drinking: Drinking too much alcohol can cause reduced circulation of blood. It can cause dark circles. Avoid drinking as much as possible to keep yourself healthy
- Quit smoking and tobacco: Smoking speeds up the aging process. Your skin starts losing up, which causes dark circles under the eyes
When to call the doctor
If you have dark circles under the eyes, it can just be a sign of aging or not sleeping well.
Generally, it is not caused by any medical problem or disease.
But in case you have a dark circle or inflammation under one eye, call your doctor.
You may have an underlying disease or condition that needs to be addressed.
Conclusion
Dark circles can affect people of any age and ethnicity for different reasons.
Lifestyle changes, aging, and genetics can play an essential role in developing dark circles.
Some allergies, lack of nutrients, or underlying health conditions can also cause eye skin to darken.
Home remedies can also help in treating dark circles.
Getting good sleep, staying hydrated, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you prevent dark circles under the eyes.
Using concealers, color correctors, and trying under-eye creams having vitamin K and Retinol can also help.
Overall, dark circles can be stubborn and difficult to eliminate completely.
But, with some lifestyle changes and cosmetic treatments, you can improve your appearance and feel better.
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