Causes and Treatments of Under Eye Dark Circles

Dark circles under the eyes are a common issue that can make you look older and more tired. They can be caused by various factors, including genetics, aging, sleep deprivation, allergies, and lifestyle choices. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the causes of under-eye dark circles and discuss effective treatments, ranging from home remedies and lifestyle changes to medical and surgical options.

Dark circles are mostly caused due to exhaustion or prolonged exposure to the computer screen. Others may have a genetic predisposition to this condition also called periorbital hyperpigmentation, though fatigue and lack of rest are more plausible explanations for the formation of dark circles under the eyes. 

While fatigue is the most common reason for dark circles, there may be other underlying factors as well, let’s take a detailed look at what causes dark circles – 

Hereditary:

Yes, of all the things that could possibly be inherited, dark circles are one of them. They appear in childhood, and while some children outgrow them, some don’t.

Age:

Ageing is one of the major under eye dark circles causes. Growing old is as inevitable as time, as is reflecting the skin signs of this dogmatism. The skin beneath the eyes is thinnest, and it grows even thinner with age; plus, we also lose the fat and collagen from around the eyes, making the skin seem translucent and the dark circles more prominent and permanent.

Sleep Deprivation:

While it’s the most common reason for dark circles around eyes, and also the easiest to prevent or rectify, the catch is that oversleeping too can lead to developing dark circles. Sleeping on your stomach especially gives your face a puffy look and makes the bags appear bigger since they cause more blood and fluid to pool to the face during the night.

Allergies, Asthma and Eczema:

Nasal congestion can dilate the blood vessels that drain from the area around eyes, darkening them. Also, anything that causes the eye or the area around it to itch, become red or painful, points towards an allergic reaction. And when your eye feels itchy, the scratching and rubbing of skin around them can contribute to darker circles.

Anemia:

Iron deficiency is the most common cause, and more than half the female population suffers from it in a country like India. Insufficient oxygen gets delivered to the eye tissues, discoloring the surrounding area, and also making the veins more visible.

Living on the Edge:

Excessive indulgence in smoking, alcohol, caffeine, amphetamines, etc and suffering from stress, physical, psychological, or emotional, could all manifest in the form of dark circles under the eyes.

Fluid Retention:

As seen in pregnancy, weight gain, increased salt intake, and other conditions can increase the puffiness around the eyes, casting shadows and making the dark circles more conspicuous.

Medications:

Some medications can contribute to the many reasons for dark circles under eyes. Any medicine that causes blood vessels to dilate, will cause the dark circles to darken.

Periorbital Hyperpigmentation:

Here, more melanin is produced around the eyes, darkening the area. This is seen on excessive exposure to the sun and in skin pigmentation abnormalities.

Other Factors:

Shadowing effect under the eyes due to depression, skin laxity, rubbing, scratching and cosmetics like Kajal if not cleaned properly can be other reasons contributing to under eye pigmentation.

Although genetics and aging remain indisputable, resolving the remaining causes, making lifestyle changes, and caring for your skin is your best bet in fighting off dark circles.

Everyone wishes to have a youthful-looking skin over the face and around the eyes. Here are a few tips to help you prevent dark circles.

• Apply sunscreen daily 2–3 times a day. Sunscreen should be applied 15–20 min before you step out of your house and get exposed to sun rays. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with the SPF of 30 or SPF 50. Don’t forget to apply over your eyes with fingertips.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses when you go out so that you can avoid sun exposure. Try to stand under the shade whenever it is possible.
• Try to avoid sun-exposure on-peak hours from 10 am to 4 pm.
• Protect your skin from pollution & environmental factors.
• Avoid frequent friction to your eyes.

Topical creams containing alpha hydroxy acids and depigmenting creams can help thicken the skin around the eyes and reduce pigmentation, around the eyes.

They remove the outer layer of skin, leaving behind a smoother, fairer look. The chemical peels are available in three strengths, depending on the depth of penetration: superficial, medium, deep. Because the periorbital skin is so delicate, we use the weakest variant, superficial, containing chemical compounds like glycolic acids or alpha hydroxy acids to treat dark circles.

This also helps plump up the area, by restoring volume and reducing the hollowed eye appearance; and the effects last longer than seen with fillers.

Exfoliates the outer layer of skin, encouraging new cells to grow. Both chemical peels and microdermabrasion are particularly effective when the cause for dark circles is hyperpigmentation.

Electroporation is the treatment that is used to increase the penetration of a drug/serum or even moisturizer applied over the skin bypassing a slight current.

It destroys the melanin that darkens skin, tightens loose skin, removes excess skin responsible for the ‘baggy’ appearance, and stimulates collagen to thicken skin, thereby reducing dark circles. However, it is expensive, painful, takes a few weeks to heal, and with possible risks of scarring. So resort to it only if none of the above measures have worked, and if you’re really willing and determined to be rid of them.

IPL uses light, too, like lasers to rejuvenate skin and remove dark circles; but rather than damaging the outer layer of skin, it closes off any capillaries or vessels beneath the skin surface, causing them to fade. Several treatments will be required to achieve noticeable results.

PRP is  a natural non-surgical treatment for dark circles. The doctor separates plasma from the patient’s extracted blood and then injects it under the eyes. This helps the tissues to repair and rejuvenate themselves.

This involves removing excess (lax) skin around the eyes and reshaping skin.

Under-eye dark circles can significantly impact your appearance and confidence, but understanding their causes and treatments can make a big difference. By addressing lifestyle factors, trying home remedies, and considering medical treatments when necessary, you can effectively reduce the appearance of dark circles. Taking proactive steps to care for your skin will help you achieve a brighter, more youthful look and boost your overall self-esteem.