Undereye darkness can occur at any stage of our life, depending on the trigger and the cause.
For example, genetics, health, lack of sleep, allergies, skin conditions, and general life stressors can all cause the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Annoyingly, dark circles are quite tricky to deal with, but there are products and professional treatments that can help.
Be mindful that dark circles and puffy under eye skin do go hand in hand. The difference is that dark circles are often flat and can appear in a purple, blue, green, red, brown, or black hue. Puffiness, or bags as it is more commonly called, is where the skin underneath the eye is raised and puffy. If you have dark circles and puffiness, then the puffiness will need to be treated first.
What causes dark circles?
There are many causes of dark circles, and often the cause is multifactorial…
- Genetics: Dark circles are often genetic, especially if you have angular bone structure too.
- Skin density: The thinner your skin, the darker your circles will look. Although the skin around our eye area is thin anyway, the density of it can be affected by genetics and ageing.
- Vascularity: Vascular congestion is caused by an excess of superficial blood vessels under the eyes from conditions such as rosacea, allergies, medications, and genetics. These vessels can enlarge and leak over time depositing blood into your skin creating pigmentation in the dermis.
- Ageing: A lot of under eye darkness is often down to ageing and a loss of bone volume, collagen, and elastin.
- Under-eye bags: Puffiness and bags can be caused by genetics, allergies, water retention, and a lack of sleep.
- Hyperpigmentation: excessive eye rubbing, allergies, facial psoriasis, and eczema can all contribute to under eye hyperpigmentation, which looks like dark circles.
- Lifestyle stressors: Stress, lack of sleep, exhaustion, poor nutrition, dehydration, drinking, and smoking can all cause dark circles under the eyes. Stress produces an inflammatory response in the body, so it can also impact other underlying causes of dark circles such as allergies and psoriasis.
- Health issues: Certain health conditions can also produce a side effect of dark circles such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, or anemia. If your dark circles are new and accompanied by other unexplained symptoms, then do visit your GP.
How can I get rid of dark circles at home?
Ways in which you can help alleviate the appearance of dark circles at home are:
- Retinol: Use retinol that is designed specifically for the eye area. Retinol can stimulate the production of collagen, making the skin less thin and therefore reducing the appearance of dark circles. It is also great at fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
- Get some sleep: Make sure you get plenty of sleep that is right for you and your lifestyle. Also, sleeping on your back with your head elevated can help to alleviate any under eye puffiness that may build up overnight.
- Brighten up: If hyperpigmentation is your issue or you have melanin-rich skin, try incorporating some brightening products into your routine such as Vitamin C, Kojic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Arbutin, and Licorice Root to help decrease skin pigmentation over time.
- Reduce your allergy response: Most people have darkness under the eyes caused by allergies and don’t realise it. Taking an antihistamine, one that is right for you, can help decrease the symptoms.
How can I permanently get rid of dark circles?
There is no way to permanently remove dark circles. However, there are professional salon treatments available that help to drastically improve the appearance of them…
- Filler: Filler is not for everyone and must always be carried out by a professional! Filler can be a great choice for those with volume loss under their eyes. But again, when deciding on filler, it is so important to go to a reputable, fully qualified professional!
- Chemical peels: Chemical peels are a more intense brightening treatment carried out by a qualified professional. Chemical peels help to break down built-up pigments and dead skin cells for brighter, smoother, and slightly tighter under-eye skin.
- Laser treatments: Laser treatments can help to stimulate collagen, break up patches of pigment, and resurface the skin to help fade hyperpigmentation and smooth fine lines. Light-therapy treatments are also great for treating underlying vasculature to gently brighten the under-eyes.
If you have under eye dark circles that are knocking your confidence, make an appointment with a professional aesthetician or dermatologist who will be able to recommend treatments specifically tailored to you. Search here on goodsalonguide.com for salons local to you.