Dark circles under the eyes can be really upsetting because they typically make you look older. This problem may be caused by several factors, thus the treatment has to be adjusted accordingly.
The Many Reasons of Dark Circles Under the Eyes
One of the most common reasons for dark circles is aging. As you age the skin under the eyes becomes thinner and more transparent so the blood in the tiny veins under your eyes makes the skin look darker.
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Another reason is superficial pigmentation of the skin. This happens only in people with darker skin, such as those of Mediterranean descent.
Dark circles under the eyes make you look tired. Although this problem is not necessarily associated with tiredness, fatigue and insomnia can contribute to this condition. Lack of sleep may cause the veins under the eyes to fill with more blood, making skin look darker.
People who suffer from allergies, hay fever or asthma often have dark circles. The reason for this is congestion in the fine veins under the eyes.
Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy and use of birth control pills may also increase pigmentation under the eyes.
In some cases dark circles are just a shadow cast by bags below the eyes. With age the layer of protective fat around the eyeballs relocates slightly, which may cause a small, fat bulge under the eye. Another reason for bags under the eyes is fluid retention. In both cases the groove beneath the bag looks like a dark circle.
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How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under the Eyes
You will find a lot of products to treat this condition, but there is little evidence that they work. The treatment of dark circles isn’t straightforward because there are so many different reasons for them. Instead you should consult an experienced dermatologist who will help you to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem and who will develop a treatment strategy tailored for your specific needs.
There are a number of ways in which you can treat dark circles yourself. For example if fluid retention is the cause then applying cool tea bags or cool cucumber slices may make a drastic difference.
If the dark circles are due to superficial pigmentation, like in people with darker skin, applying lightening agents may help. Lightening agents must be used with caution as skin under the eyes is very sensitive. Alternatively, IPL (“Intense Pulsed Light”) or laser treatments may reduce pigmentation and erase dark circles.
If dark circles are due to shadows cast by bags under the eyes, you may choose blepharoplasty, a cosmetic eyelid surgery. During blepharoplasty, excess skin and fat under the eyes is removed, so the dark circles naturally disappear. The discomfort is minimal and incisions heal very quickly.
in Face & Body