Dark Circles Under the Eyes

Dark circles under the eyes are not harmful, but they can make you look tired. Some people are more likely to develop dark circles due to genetics, but even people that are prone to undereye circles can decrease their appearance. Let’s take a look at the causes of dark circles and what you can do to treat them.  

Causes

Almost everyone occasionally develops dark circles under their eyes. In most cases, the cause is nothing serious. Cause of dark circles under the eyes include:

Aging: As we age, we lose collagen and fat from under the eyes. The skin becomes thinner, which makes it more transparent. The darkness we see is blueish blood vessels under the skin.

Allergies: Allergies can leave you with a stuffy nose and congested sinuses. This may affect the blood vessels under the eyes, causing them to dilate and look more obvious.

Lack of sleep: We have all been there. Sometimes you don’t get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to puffy, tired looking eyes. The dark circles we see may just be shadows from puffy eyelids.

Excessive sun exposure: Exposure to the sun makes you produce more melanin. Melanin gives your skin its color. The more melanin you have, the darker your eyes, hair, and skin may be. If you spend too much time in the sun, it can lead to hyperpigmentation, including under the eyes. 
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Treatments

Dark circles under the eyes do not affect vision and don’t require treatment, but some people are concerned about the appearance of the circles and think it makes them look tired.

While no treatment may work 100% of the time, certain things may help decrease the appearance of undereye circles.

At-home treatments 

It is best to start with at-home treatments to reduce mild to moderate dark circles. At-home treatments are easy, inexpensive, and non-invasive. Try the following:

Apply a cold compress: Dilated vessels under the eyes may make dark circles more evident. A cold compress or chilled spoon applied to the area helps constrict the blood vessels. Apply the compress for about 10 minutes in the morning.

Sleep with your head elevated: Lying flat may promote the pooling of fluid under the eyes and make dark circles look worse. Sleep with a few extra pillows under your head. 

Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep often shows in our faces. Although it is not always easy, getting enough sleep is good for your skin and may reduce the puffiness that contributes to eye circles.

Apply an eye cream: An eye cream will not do miracles, but it may help with dark circles. Certain eye creams contain caffeine, which helps decrease puffiness. Other ingredients, such as vitamin C, may help with the brightness of the skin.

Use concealer: It may seem like a no-brainer, but applying a little concealer under the eyes may be all that is needed to hide mild dark circles. 
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Cosmetic procedures

In some cases, at-home treatments may not solve the issue. Cosmetic procedures are available that may help reduce the look of dark circles, including:  

• Chemical peels: Chemical peels may help reduce pigmentation under the eyes.
• Lasers: Different types of laser treatments are available that help tighten loose skin and may help with discoloration.
• Fillers: Fillers won’t correct dark circles completely, but they can conceal blood vessels and plump up the skin under the eyes. 

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Prevention 

It may not be entirely possible to prevent dark circles, but consider the following strategies to help reduce how often you have undereye circles.

• Use sunscreen
• Get enough sleep
• Treat allergies
• Do not smoke

If you have any questions about treating or preventing under eye circles or other eye issues, we are happy to help. Also, if you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.