Dark Circles - a Common Cosmetic Concern

What Are Dark Circles?

Dark circles are a common cosmetic concern for men and women of all ages, as it is universally considered unaesthetic. Dark circles under the eyes typically mean the skin area below the eyes looks darkened. Depending on the skin color, this area can appear as shades of purple, brown, blue, or black. Dark circles under the eyes may make a person look tired, unwell, or older than they are. However, dark circles do not always indicate a lack of sleep or poor health, and they are typically not a cause for concern. Dark circles under the eyes often affect people of all ages, ethnicities, and genders. However, they are more common in certain groups. These groups include older adults, individuals with a family history of having dark circles under their eyes, and those with darker skin tones.

What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

Dark circles under the eyes can develop due to several causes, aging being the most common of all causes. With advancing age, the skin below the eyes starts loosening and thinning out, so the blood vessels under the skin may become more visible. This may darken the appearance of the under eyes. In addition, hollowed areas known as tear troughs may also form. These tear troughs cause shadows increasing the appearance of puffy eyes.

Other possible causes of dark circles under the eyes may include the following:

• Contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis can cause the blood vessels under the eyes to dilate and show through the skin.

• Genes also contribute to dark circles.

• Constantly rubbing and scratching the eyes can cause the under eyes to swell and blood vessels to break.

• Poor sleeping habits or inadequate sleep can cause the skin under the eyes to appear pale.

• Prolonged exposure to the sun triggers the body to produce more melanin and hyperpigmentation. Melanin is the pigment that provides the skin with its color.

• The skin under the eyes can appear dull due to dehydration.

• Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking can lead to poor nutrition and sluggish circulation in vessels under the eyes, resulting in dark circles.

• Fatigue and stress can also contribute to dark circles.

• Anemia due to dietary deficiency or medical reasons is also one of the causes of dark circles.

How to Get Rid of Dark Circles?

Home-Based Care:

One can do many things at home to eliminate the dark circles under the eyes. Although some of these natural remedies are not scientifically proven, they are still worth trying as they are inexpensive and cause no side effects. These home remedies may include:

• Get a good amount of sleep. Take at least seven hours of sleep each night to prevent the development of shadows from appearing around the eyes.

• Elevate the head with a couple more pillows to prevent fluid build-up from under the eyes at night. This may help reduce puffiness.

• Applying cold spoons or cold compresses to the eyes can help shrink dilated blood vessels, thus reducing the puffiness of eyelids and improving the appearance of dark circles.

• Put some cucumber slices on the eyes. This can help with puffiness because cucumbers contain water and vitamin C.

• Place cold tea bags under the eyes and remove after five minutes. This can increase blood circulation because tea contains caffeine and antioxidants.

• Apply a good quality under-eye concealer and full coverage foundation to blend the color of the skin to hide the dark circles.

• Get facials that include massage around the eye area to improve circulation.

• Mixing equal amounts of vitamin E and almond oil and applying the mixture to the dark circles just before bedtime can make the dark circles disappear.

Medical Treatment:

Call a healthcare provider if someone hopes to remove the dark circles permanently. The provider can tell what treatment options are available, depending on the skin condition and identification of the underlying cause. The recommendations may include the following.

• Chemical Peels: Chemical peels act through exfoliation, abrasion, and shedding of the superficial skin cells, followed by remodeling without scarring. The most frequently used peels for dark circles are arginine and lactic acid peels. Argipeel is one of the readily available combination peels for dark circles. It contains arginine (20 %), lactic acid (20 %), aloe vera (1 %), and allantoin (0.5 %). Other peels like glycolic acid (15 % to 20 %) with kojic acid also give good results. Counseling and post-peel maintenance are crucial in treating dark circles with a chemical peel.

• Laser Therapy: This therapy can help resurface and tighten your skin. Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) and ablative CO2 laser resurfacing can be used, but the chance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is much more with a laser. Q-switched ruby laser and topical bleaching agents with retinoic acid and hydroquinone are considered adequate for dark circles with a low incidence of PIH.

• Topical Creams and Bleaching Agents: Various topical creams containing vitamin C, and bleaching agents, such as hydroquinone, can fade the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

• Tissue Fillers: Injectable fillers, including hyaluronic acid gel, can increase volume and help smooth the skin.

• Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Excess fat and skin are removed from the eye area.

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: These injections can improve the skin around the eyes, speed blood vessel growth and strengthen collagen and the skin.

Is It Possible to Prevent Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

Dark circles are only sometimes prevented. But there are some lifestyle modifications one can make that may help. These changes include:

• Adjust the sleep schedule. Go to bed on time and get at least seven hours of sleep each night.

• Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater on the face, especially around your eyes, and wear sunglasses outdoors.

• Try healthy ways to cope with the stress, such as scheduling time for self-care.

• Quit smoking and using tobacco.

• Reduce alcohol consumption.

Conclusion:

Dark circles under the eyes are nowadays one of the common complaints among people of all ages. They are often caused by aging, genetics, dermatitis, stress, or insufficient sleep. However, having dark circles under the eyes typically is not a major health problem, though one may want them to fade for cosmetic reasons. Home remedies and medical treatment options may help correct the appearance of under-eye circles. Consult a healthcare provider to see which one is best for you.