Dark Circles - Treatments, Home Remedies, Causes & More

Written By: Dr. Mousumee Nanda

Dr. Mousumee Nanda is a dermatologist and cosmetologist with over two decades of experience in this field. She holds a Masters Degree from the American Academy.

Updated On:December 26, 2023

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What are Dark Circles?

When shades of black, brown, blue, or purple start appearing under your eyes - & it isn’t make-up - it most likely will be dark circles. Dark circles have a way of taking over the charm & glow of your face & making it seem like you haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep in a while. There are multiple ways to get rid of dark circles. But before trying any of these, it is important to understand what causes them.

Causes of dark circles

While dark circles are commonly associated with lack of sleep & exhaustion, the reasons for these dark marks & the hollowness below the eyes are more varied. Here are some of the most common causes of dark circles:

Fatigue:

Common & well-known for causing dark circles under the eyes, fatigue can come about due to either lack of sleep or oversleeping. When you don’t sleep enough, fluid builds up underneath your eyes, making them puffy & causing bags to form under the eyes. The dark blood vessels & tissues underneath your skin also start to show as your skin becomes pale.

Sun Exposure:

Overexposure to the sun increases the production of melanin - the skin pigment that causes the area under your eyes to darken. It's another reason why you should always have a pair of sunglasses & a tube of sunscreen when heading out!

Ageing:

Collagen is a body protein abundantly found in the skin, bones, muscles, & tendons. It provides strength, structure, & firmness to the skin. As you age, the production of collagen in your body drops, causing your skin to lose its elasticity & become thinner. This makes the blood vessels under your skin more visible, darkening the area to form dark circles.

Allergies:

When you have an allergy, your body’s immune system releases a compound called histamine to fight the bacteria. Histamine causes the blood cells under the eyes to dilate & makes them more visible. This results in puffiness & dark circles under your eyes.

Dermatitis:

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is another cause for dark circles. It causes itchy skin that, over time, can make the skin thick, elevated, & scaly. Excessive itching & rubbing of eyes lead to the swelling & inflammation of the blood vessels under the eyes, making them look dark & almost bruised.

Dark Circles Home Remedies

If you notice dark hollows under your eyes & want a quick way to get rid of them, here are some easy home remedies for dark circles that you can try.

Moisturisers:

Certain types of moisturisers & creams, especially those containing vitamins K & E, can help with dark circles treatments. They hydrate the skin, making it stronger & thicker. This reduces the visibility of blood vessels under the eyes, thereby reducing the prominence of dark circles.

Tea Bags:

A popular home remedy for dark circles, tea bags improve blood circulation & reduce liquid retention under the eyes. However, it is best to use organic tea to avoid chemicals. The antioxidants in green, black, & white teas have an anti-inflammatory & soothing effect. Additionally, the caffeine in these teas constricts the blood vessels, further reducing inflammation.

Vitamins K, C & E:

Vitamin K helps strengthen veins & capillaries. Food sources rich in vitamin K include spinach, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, & avocados.

Vitamin C helps builds collagen & strengthens the skin. Oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries, peppers, & brussels sprouts are good food sources for vitamin C.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has anti-ageing benefits. Vegetable oils, nuts, olives, mangoes, avocados, spinach, & broccoli are some foods rich in vitamin E.

Dark Circle Treatment 

Many times, dark circles are unavoidable due to the face structure, genetics, or other body-related aspects. In such cases, medical treatments are more lasting & effective when it comes to dark circles remedy. Most of these dark circle treatments are minimally invasive or non-surgical procedures that are quick, with little or no down-time.

Laser Therapy:

Laser therapy is one of the most effective dark circle treatments. It involves subjecting the targeted areas on the skin to intense light & heat that is absorbed by the blood vessels. This reduces hyperpigmentation & stimulates blood flow. Laser therapy also causes the skin to resurface & tighten, thereby doing away with dark circles under the eyes.

Medcare has a team of cosmetology experts, who use cutting-edge technology to provide highly specialised & customised dark circle treatment plans for laser skin resurfacing & rejuvenation, among other surgical treatments. You can find the right doctor to discuss dark circle treatment options & book an appointment online.

Chemical Peels:

A chemical peel, in a way, lets you shed your skin. It is an acid solution that, when applied to the face, allowing your skin to peel off. Along with the outer, old layer of your skin that has been exposed to sun, pollution & other damaging agents, the dark circles under your eyes & spots also disappear.

Chemical peels for dark circles under eyes treatment use acids such as alpha hydroxy & glycolic that help lighten the hyperpigmentation under & around the eyes. The new layer of skin is softer, smoother, & less hyperpigmented.

Blepharoplasty:

Blepharoplasty, also known as eye bag surgery, is an effective procedure for removing the bags under eyes & dark circles. This procedure does away with the excess fat under your eyes that makes them baggy & puffy. It, hence, makes the bags under eyes disappear & gives your skin a youthful & rejuvenated look.

Fillers:

In most of the causes for dark circles, it’s the thinning of the skin that makes the blood vessels & tissues more visible. This volume loss can create a hollow under the eyes, & for such dark circles, fillers are an excellent dark circle treatment option. Fillers are injections containing a certain type of gel, like hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma, that are injected into the undereye area to fill the hollowness & make it look plump & brighter.

Dark circles affect people of all ages & ethnicities. While home remedies can be effective, if the dark circles are pronounced, opting for medical treatment is a better option. You don’t have to let dark circles take over your face & energy. You can consult an expert to understand which dark circle treatment is best for you & get rid of dark circles to feel more like yourself when you look in the mirror.

 

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