Reasons For Dark Circles Around The Eyes

3542
3.3 Minutes

30-07-2024 Team Medicover Ophthalmology

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Gargi Apte Jankar, Ophthalmologist

Dark Circles: Common Causes and How to Treat

Dark circles can be frustrating, especially for people with Indian skin tones that have more melanin, making them more noticeable. They're a common problem for both men and women of all ages.

The skin under your eyes is delicate, so it's important to treat it gently. Luckily, there are lots of ways to deal with dark circles, like using brightening eye creams or getting medical treatments.

What Causes Dark Circles?

Dark circles under the eyes may be due to the natural ageing process. Thinner skin can make the blood vessels under it more visible, making the undereye area appear darker.

In addition to age, here are some likely causes of dark circles under the eyes:

Lack of sleep or poor sleeping habits
Allergies, including hay fever
Hyperpigmentation occurs when the body produces more melanin
Reduction in the levels of fatty tissue around the eyes
Iron deficiency anaemia
Overexposure to sunlight
Frequent rubbing of the eyes.
Ageing
Dehydration
Smoking
Dermatitis
Inherited genes
Thyroid conditions
Eye drops are used to treat glaucoma, like bimatoprost.

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Dark Circles Around the Eyes Treatment

The doctor would recommend an appropriate treatment plan depending on the severity of the condition.

Some effective treatment options are:

1. Topical Agents

Creams with kojic acid, hydroquinone, glycolic acid, or Vitamin C.
Helps brighten and lighten under-eye skin.

2. Chemical Peels

Light peels performed by specialists can reduce pigmentation.

3. Laser Therapy

Targets pigmentation and boosts collagen production.

4. Injectable Fillers

Restores lost volume and reduces shadowing.

5. Blepharoplasty

Surgical option for severe cases caused by fat accumulation or sagging skin.

If you are wondering how to remove dark circles under eyes permanently, combining medical treatments with lifestyle changes offers the best results.

Chemical Peel

Topical Agent

Creams containing skin-lightening agents such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, and hydroquinone can be used. Low-potency creams are also available without a prescription, while stronger creams require a prescription.

Chemical Peel

Light chemical peels are used because the under-eye area is thin and sensitive and should be performed by a doctor or licensed esthetician.Using chemical peels at home without expert guidance can cause serious problems like burns on your skin.

Lasers

Various lasers are available to lighten dark circles. Some have added advantages in reducing wrinkles and inducing collagen growth.

Injectable Fillers

Physician-injected fillers correct volume loss, reduce wrinkles, reduce shadows, and brighten the under-eye area.

Blepharoplasty

This is a surgical procedure that can be performed in patients with an accumulation of fat under the eyes, which causes dark circles to appear due to projected shadows.

How To Get Rid of Dark Circles Naturally?

Both men and women are familiar with the issue of dark circles! When they show up, they make us feel really bad.

So, here's a bucket list of simple and easily doable home remedies that can help:

For adults, it's essential to aim for about seven to eight hours of sleep each day to get enough rest.
Healthy eating, nutritional supplements, and adequate hydration.
Apply a cold compress or tea bags soaked in cold water or cold cucumber slices.
Putting on sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, carrying an umbrella, or wearing a hat can stop the sun from hurting your skin.
Moisturise the skin under the eyes using a good moisturiser and under-eye creams.
Apply natural oils like almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, or pure vitamin E oil.
To ease eye tiredness, take breaks from screens such as computers, phones, or TVs and avoid reading in low light.
Avoid tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.

Dark Circles Around the Eyes Home Remedies

If you want to try how to remove dark circles at home naturally, these simple remedies can help:

Sleep & Hydration – 7–8 hours of sleep and adequate water intake.
Cold Compress – Tea bags, cold spoons, or cucumber slices.
Healthy Diet – Include leafy greens, nuts, eggs, and iron-rich foods to avoid deficiencies.
Moisturization – Apply almond oil, coconut oil, or vitamin E under the eyes.
Sun Protection – Use sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats.
Screen Breaks – Reduce eye strain from prolonged screen use.
Avoid Harmful Habits – Cut down on smoking, alcohol, and high-sodium foods.
These dark circles around the eyes home remedies are safe, but may take time to show visible results.

When to See a Doctor

If you notice swelling and a colour change under only one eye, it's essential to discuss it with your doctor, especially if the condition worsens. If dark circles are also accompanied by weight loss and hair loss, then you should also see a doctor immediately.

If dark circles worsen or appear under only one eye.
If associated with weight loss, hair loss, or severe swelling.
If persistent in children or accompanied by other health issues.

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Conclusion

Dark circles are a common reason people see a dermatologist. Although they may dislike the appearance of dark circles under their eyes and experience low self-esteem, it is essential to remember that these are harmless.

Dark circles are common and usually harmless, but they can affect self-confidence. Understanding dark circles around the eyes and following proper treatment or home remedies can help alleviate them. If you are concerned about appearance or severity, consult a dermatologist for a personalised plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Even if you're getting enough sleep, dark circles can still show up. They might be caused by things like genetics, allergies, asthma, poor circulation, or rubbing your eyes too much. Sometimes, your skin under the eyes is just naturally thin, making dark circles more noticeable.

Dark circles can be caused by lack of sleep, allergies, genetics, or skin conditions.

Yes, not getting enough sleep can make dark circles more noticeable.

Yes, rubbing your eyes can break tiny blood vessels under the skin and worsen dark circles.

Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and using cool compresses can help reduce dark circles.

Yes, some eye creams and treatments can help lighten dark circles and reduce puffiness.

Yes, dark circles under the eyes can sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition, though they are often caused by lifestyle factors like lack of sleep or stress.