What causes dark circles under the eyes?
Dark circles appear under the eyes for many reasons and may simply be a genetic condition. ‘Periorbital hyperchromia’ – is a technical name that refers to the area around the eye socket caused by excessive pigmentation and is one of the most common reasons for circles under the eyes seen in all ages.
Other people have the appearance of dark circles just due to their anatomy and the shape of the structures around the eyes. In certain lights, shadows are cast in any hollows and under any protruding eyelids or eyebags, which make the area look dark.
Other causes of Dark Circles include:
- Dehydration of the skin cells makes dark circles more noticeable.
Simply drinking more water can bring about a marked reduction in the circles. Sometimes a topical B5 serum is needed to improve the skin’s hydration. - Stress / Lack of sleep: can make the skin appear more sunken or make eye bags look puffier, which can make dark circles more noticeable.
- Drinking alcohol: The consumption of alcohol allows the small blood vessels in the skin to dilate or expand, so dark circles under the eyes may become more prominent. Dehydration also occurs, which adds to the problem.
- Ageing: As people age, their skin becomes thinner due to a reduction of fat and collagen, making the blood vessels beneath it more noticeable, which thereby makes the area under the eyes appear darker. In addition, the ligaments under the eye weaken and in some people the fat loss causes the skin to sag and create a tear trough and sometimes a bag. These create a shadow on the skin, creating the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
- Pigmentation: The eyelids’ skin is often darker than that of the rest of the face. But in some people, this can be more pronounced. This can be genetic or caused by environmental factors. The most common cause is sun exposure. Pregnancy, hormones and trauma to the skin, such as excess rubbing of the eyes, can also increase pigmentation. A good SPF eye cream is recommended if you are at risk of high sun exposure.
- Vascular congestion: This is an area containing many small blood vessels. In some people, these are congested, causing a somewhat purple discoloration. Patients who suffer from allergies could get venous congestion under the eye creating dark circles.
What can be done to improve dark circles?
To improve dark circles, you first need to understand the cause.
After this, the key is to work out if the causes are treatable or not. You can not change the shape of someone’s face however some simple causes can be improved.
Treatments to be considered include:
Concealer
The right coloured concealer applied in the right way can make a massive difference to dark circles. If you struggle to do this, it is worth booking in with a reputable makeup artist who can teach you how to do it more effectively.
Avoid Dehydration
Sometimes drinking more water or applying a B5 serum for hydration is all that is needed.
Treatments to reduce pigmentation:
Topical treatments can be applied to gently lighten the skin and an SPF can be applied to prevent further pigmentation for any sun exposure.
Dermaquest Melaquest Eye Cream is excellent for this, as is ZO Eye Brightening Crème.
An eye SPF is also recommended to prevent further pigmentation caused by sun exposure.
Treatments to improve skin texture:
Improving the skin texture and stimulating increased collagen helps obscure the vessels under the skin that create the appearance of dark circles.
Topical treatments can be applied to stimulate collagen our most popular products for this are:
Collagen Stimulation
Collagen Stimulation using Radiofrequency technology can also be effective using the Endymed 3D Deep or ThermaClinic these treatments are relaxing and non invasive with no downtime but a course of 6 is required every 1- 2 weeks.
Ultraformer HIFU
Ultraformer HIFU treatment is another device treament which uses Ultrasound Energy to stimulate collagen. It is a little bit more painful and more aggressive but is more effective. We recommend 3 treatments one every month.
Neogen
Neogen is another excellent collagen stimulator. This device uses Nitrogen Plasma to stimulate collagen. This causes some mild discomfort and sometimes 3-5 days down time. A course of treaments is usually required for best results.
The CACI Eye Revive
The CACI Eye Revive is a three step treatment that stimulates collagen using radiofrequency and also by infusing products in to the skin that hydrate stimulating new collagen. It can give a temporary improvement after one treatment but for best results a course of treatments is recomended. It is also a great way of boosting the eye area before a special event.
Juvelook Under Eye Treatment
Juvelook is a biostimulatory injectable combining: Hyaluronic acid (HA) for hydration which can brighten and reduce the look of shadows right away and also Poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA). PDLLA stimulates the body’s collagen production over weeks to thicken and strengthen the under-eye skin. Thicker skin is less transparent and shows less of the bluish vascular shadow that contributes to dark circles. This dual action supports skin improvement over time by adding hydration and encouraging collagen growth. It reduces the shadow effect and brightens the under-eye area.
Due to it being an injectable treatment, slight swelling or bruising can occur which could last several days. A course of three treaments are usualy required.
Juvelook tends to be most effective when the dark circles are due to:
- Thin under-eye skin that reveals underlying vessels
- Hollowing/tear troughs casting shadows
- General aging/texture changes around the eyes
Treatments to improve Tear Troughs:
Tears develop due to soft tissue volume loss in the cheek and eye area. The ligaments of the lower eyelid weaken and the bony area under the eyelid becomes accentuated. This can also lead to the appearance of lower eyelid fat pockets (eye bags), and both of these changes can lead to a dark shadow or hollow beneath the eyes and can cause a tired appearance.
At Cheshire Lasers, we treat Tear Troughs with the following:
Dermal Fillers:
At Cheshire Lasers, we use hyaluronic acid Dermal Fillers to treat tear troughs. These fillers slowly break down over time, and in most patients, results can last a year. You may need a top-up procedure to achieve the best results.
Depending on your anatomy and your medical practitioner’s preference they may use Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero or Teosyal Redensity 2 a filler designed especially for the tear trough area.
PRP Treatment
PRP treatments for the under eye and the upper eyelid lead to stimulation of your own collagen and elastin and regeneration of new healthy skin tissue for gradual, natural and real results that improve in the 2-3 months following a single treatment.
We recommend two to three treatments, 2-3 months apart. PRP injection treatments below the skin in the under-eye area do not have immediate results. Unlike Dermal Fillers, which are instant, PRP is resorbed by your body within 2-3 days. There is then a gradual tissue regeneration which continues for months. You see the final results 3-4 months after each treatment. PRP treatments improve fine lines, texture, loose skin, loss of volume, deep wrinkles and some pigmentation.
Treatments to improve Eye Bags:
We can do very little at Cheshire Lasers to help with eye bags. In most cases, the best treatment is surgery.
Some of the treatments mentioned above can help, but the results are subtle and will not last long without regular treatments to maintain results.
The CACI Eye Revive
The CACI Eye Revive is our favourite non-surgical treatment for eye bags. It can give a temporary subtle improvement and is worth trying. If it helps, it is an excellent way to boost the eye area before a special event.
What can I do at home to enhance my results?
The skin under the eye is the thinnest of the face. As we age, the blood vessels underneath become visible and create a darkened reflection. Investing in an Eye Cream: that includes Retinol, Peptides, Caffeine, and Antioxidants is key. Retinol works by exfoliating dead skin cell leading to collagen production. Peptides applied topically send “signals” to through the skin to prompt the formation of new collagen. Caffeine constricts blood vessels which reduces puffiness and redness. Antioxidants (ex: Vitamin C or Green tea) offer powerful protection from the sun and also brighten the skin.
Please get in touch with us if you require more information about some of our medical-grade products to help the eye area.