Dark under eyes are a common thing among men and women. There are, however, several reasons for having them. Most of them are no serious cause for concern, but in some rare cases, they can also indicate a condition that may need more medical attention in some rare cases. Below are the most common causes for dark circles
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1. Being from a non-white ethnic group
People from non-white ethnic groups with darker skin tones are more prone to having dark under their eyes. This is because their skin produces more pigment that can accumulate under the eyes, causing them to appear darker. In this case, having dark under your eyes all your life, even without unhealthy habits, means that it’s genetic.
2. Fatigue
If you’ve pulled an all-nighter before, chances are you’re going to be sporting a new pair of dark eyebags by daylight. Sleep deprivation affects the skin and causes it to become dull and pale, making the dark tissues underneath the skin show. Lack of sleep and poor sleeping habits make the blood circulation around the eye area slow down, allowing the blood to pool under the eyes. As a result, the capillaries can stretch and leak, leading to dark and puffy under eyes.
3. Ageing
As you get older, the skin around your eyes becomes thinner and droopier. This is because you’re losing the fat and collagen needed to maintain the skin’s elasticity. As a result, the dark blood vessels become more visible, making your under eyes appear darker. The sagging skin will also add more shadowing around the eyes.
4. Dehydration
When your body is dehydrated, it lets you know in various ways, such as having dark circles under your eyes. If you’re not drinking enough water, the skin beneath your eyes starts to look dull, making your eyes look sunken.
5. Anaemia and iron deficiency
Being anaemic means that you have insufficient amounts of red blood cells because of a lack of iron in your diet. When the cells can’t carry enough oxygen to the tissues in your body, including those under the eyes, it results in dark circles.
6. How to get rid of dark circles
There are a variety of ways of reducing dark circles. Some of these involve simple home remedies and adjustments in the daily routine. Below are different steps you can take.
Have a healthier sleeping schedule
Catching up on sleep will do wonders for your dark circles. Make sure to get the recommended seven to eight hours of rest, so try to go to bed earlier. If you’ve been sleeping during unconventional hours and keep getting interrupted, try switching back to your regular sleep schedule to get full, undisturbed rest.
Chill slices of cucumber
Cucumber has high water content and is known to have amazing effects in hydrating the skin. It’s also known to have an anti-inflammatory effect that helps in reducing puffiness. To get the maximum impact, chill some slices of cucumber for about an hour, then place them over your eyes for a few minutes. The cool temperature will soothe the swelling and decrease blood flow and prevent it from pooling under your eyes.
Incorporate antioxidants in your skincare routine
Vitamin C is a highly beneficial skincare ingredient because it helps with collagen production and decreases melanin production, which is why it’s best for treating dark spots and getting rid of dark under the eyes.
Another popular antioxidant in skincare products is Vitamin E, a common ingredient in under-eye creams and rolls. It’s a rich source of minerals that prevent wrinkles, reduce puffiness, and alleviate dark circles.
You may also opt for the following clinical treatments:
Laser therapy
Laser therapy directly removes the hyperpigmentation from the skin by focusing intense light and heat on the targeted area. Depending on the type and causes of your dark circles, the appropriate kind of laser therapy will vary.
For example, puffy and vascular dark circles that appear as a mix of blue, pink, and purple hues will be treated by lasers that stimulate blood flow and rejuvenate the skin tissues. Pigmented dark circles that are caused by excessive skin melanin production, on the other hand, are treated with lasers that target skin cells with darker pigmentation to stop overproduction.
Tear trough fillers
Getting tear through fillers or dermal fillers involves having the tear trough area injected with a hyaluronic acid gel to boost collagen production and replace the volume lost to the ageing process. The goal is to create a more youthful appearance by hydrating, softening, and rejuvenating the skin. It’s a 30-minute non-surgical treatment that will produce instant results within two weeks.
The recovery period won’t take too long, although there might be some bruising or swelling during the first few days. However, this can be easily remedied by applying a cold compress to the area once every few hours and putting some topical creams at night to reduce the bruising.
However, a tear trough filler’s rejuvenating effect will break down over time, so patients are advised to have their filler re-done every 1 to 2 years. Still, fillers will not be enough to maintain a youthful-looking appearance, so it’s best to pair it with a healthy lifestyle, diet, and sleep schedule.
7. Takeaway
Because dark circles are often side effects of lifestyle consequences and medical conditions, the causes can be hard to pinpoint. There are, however, several ways to make the dark circles go away. At-home treatments can hold the hyperpigmentation and puffiness at bay, but if you suspect that it needs more serious attention, you can also look at medical treatments. Needless to say, it’s essential always to consult a doctor beforehand.
