“Smoking makes you metabolize your collagen and elastin faster, which is why smokers look older than their stated age,” says Wright. Just make sure you only see a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for this procedure. While dark circles under your eyes may be annoying, there’s usually nothing to be concerned about from a medical standpoint. Few body parts seem to betray your secret late-night escapades like dark circles under your eyes. “A cold compress helps shrink blood vessels under the skin,” says Wright. Experts and studies have linked dark circles around eyes to graver problems like anemia, liver disease and dehydration. Periorbital dark circles are dark blemishes around the eyes. Studies haven’t proven whether a lack of sleep actually contributes to dark circles under your eyes, but Dr. Jessica Wright, a board certified general surgeon who owns and operates the Austin-based medical spa Rejuvenate Austin, hasn’t ruled it out entirely. The good news is that dark circles under your eyes aren’t typically a cause for concern (other than cosmetic concerns). Circles may also gradually begin to appear darker in one eye than the other as a result of some habitual facial expressions, such as an uneven smile. (Yes, really.) If you’re low on iron, dark circles may be the first sign. [citation needed], Prompts your body to produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. 30 Ways to Show Dark Under-Eye Circles the Light, Here’s the Tea: Use Tea Bags on Your Eyes, What Coconut Oil Can — and Can’t — Do for Dark Circles. Wright says the safest options are vitamin C, arbutin, kojic acid and other plant-based extracts. [6] Specialist treatments including laser and intense pulsed light skin surgery can also be used. Try skin lighteners, peels, and eczema creams first. There’s a genetic component as well. Even if you’re catching enough ZZZ’s to rival “Sleeping Beauty,” you may still have dark under-eye circles. Any condition that causes the eyes to itch can contribute to darker circles due to rubbing or scratching the skin around them. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses your body’s own blood to stimulate collagen and rejuvenate your under-eye area. “Dark circles around the eyes are less about sleep and more about the normal aging process of the face,” says Campbell. Be sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night to diminish the appearance of dark circles and to improve your overall health. Dark circles; When to see a doctor. Our content does not constitute a medical consultation. Any condition that causes the eyes to itch can contribute to darker circles due to rubbing or scratching the skin around them. This trick is as old as time. “Light or dark brown is more likely related to pigmentation issues. For example, recently, chemical compounds called alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) have been added as a beneficial ingredient to creams for dark circles. One study showed three key factors contributing to dark circles: hyperpigmentation, extra or overactive capillaries, and thinner skin under your eyes. These circles are rarely a cause for concern, … “Compliance is key, though. (Cucumber slices will also work.). “I think anyone who has dark circles resulting from melanin should consider a brightener,” she says. [7] A compounding cream of Pfaffia paniculata, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Lilium candidum has also been reported as an effective treatments. “Filler is the number-one procedure in my office for dark circles,” says Campbell, noting the effects last about a year. Product Description. The reason we get dark shadows and eye bags has a lot to do with our lifestyles, so detecting what the causes of our eye woes are can help us to banish them from our faces for good. Get more sleep It is possible to accidentally inject fillers into a blood vessel that supplies the back of the eye, which can result in permanent blindness. If you’re ready to bid adieu to dark circles, it helps to figure out the culprit first and go from there. As if allergies weren’t annoying enough, Wright says they can make the blood vessels more prominent or dilated in the area, making dark circles worse. Here's how you can use different teas as a cold or warm compresses for…, Coconut oil may lighten the appearance of your dark circles. There are a number of potential causes of dark under-eye circles, including a lack of sleep. “They can also reduce melanin, so they are a win for the right skin type. Dark circles under your eyes aren't typically a cause for concern, but you might still want to get rid of them. Any medications that cause blood vessels to dilate can cause circles under the eyes to darken. “The first place this can show is in the thin tissue around the eyes. You may not like the way they look, but bags under eyes are usually harmless and don't require medical care. “Dark circles under the eyes is a discoloration or darkening due to pigment deposition, shadowing, or skin or anatomical changes,” says Dr. Caren Campbell, a San Francisco-based board certified dermatologist. Chances are you didn’t get a black eye from your pillow… you just experienced dark under-eye circles. “Enlargement of the bone around the eye creates a shadow beneath the eye. [4], Periorbital hyperpigmentation is the official name for when there is more melanin produced around the eyes than is usual, giving them a darker color. “Alcohol causes dehydration, and your skin will hold less water, making vasculature under that already-thin area more noticeable,” warns Wright. What are the dark circles under your eyes? Hay fever sufferers in particular will notice under-eye "smudges" during the height of the allergy season. Last medically reviewed on November 24, 2020, Dark circles under the eyes are caused by poor circulation or blood vessels that become fragile and break. See your doctor if … “Getting adequate sleep can help with this particular aspect of causes for dark circles, but has no bearing on pigment from genetic causes.”, Behold, the power of strategically placed fat. The caffeine in tea constricts blood vessels and makes them less prominent — just be sure to avoid herbal tea or any variety that doesn’t have caffeine. Fillers can also help if fat loss is the cause of bags under the eyes. One popular home remedy for reducing bags under the eyes is the use of hemorrhoid creams. It is believed that iron deficiency can cause dark circles as well. Vitamin C can help brighten hyperpigmentation as well as thicken the dermal layer of skin which conceals dark circles[10], "Dark circle" redirects here. Campbell says that in the majority of cases, it’s merely a cosmetic issue. We include products we think are useful for our readers. PRP requires a series of treatments, so the results may take 4 to 6 months to kick-in. However the use of hydroquinone for skin whitening has been banned in European countries due to health concerns. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to treat these unwanted facial features once you figure out what the issue is. [citation needed], Modern treatments include topical creams that are marketed for the condition. Knowing the cause of yours can help you find treatment. You can get rid of them with home remedies…, You can use black, green, or herbal tea bags to help different eye ailments. Iron deficiency is the most common type of anemia and this condition is a sign that not enough oxygen is getting to the body tissues. However, many people have dark circles … “One way to distinguish the cause is to look at the color of skin,” says Campbell. 1. Here’s our process. [3][better source needed], Dark circles are likely to become more noticeable and permanent with age. Hay fever sufferers in particular will notice under-eye "smudges" during the height of the allergy season. There are many causes of this symptom, including heredity and bruising.[1]. I would not recommend that patients take allergy medicine without allergy symptoms.”. “Heavier alcohol consumption leads to increased aging through a buildup of toxins, chronic dehydration, and increased blood sugar.”. Here’s what the science says, how to apply it, and how to know when your dark circles may…. “You have fat pads under the skin, which fit together like puzzle pieces,” says Campbell. Dark circles may even bulge out a bit like you have “bags” under your eyes. “While taking allergy meds can help with the swelling, it only helps the darkness if allergies are the main culprit. [8], In addition, many skin care ingredients can help in the form of eye creams. In another study, family history was the most significant risk factor. She recommends holding it there for 5 minutes or so. Skin brighteners work by interrupting melanin production. They may appear for many reasons, like genetics, aging, lifestyle choices, allergies, and nutrient deficiencies. This is because as people get older, their skin loses collagen, becoming thinner and more translucent. [citation needed], The use of hydroquinone skin-whitening products can be toxic, harmful or lethal for humans. “When you are iron-deficient, you may not be oxygenating your tissues efficiently,” explains Wright. Also, dark circles from allergies are caused by superficial venous congestion[2] in the capillaries under eyes. “This is the perfect option, especially in darker skin types where volume loss is less of an issue.”. And thinning skin exposes more blood vessels beneath the skin.”. Maximizing your nutritional profiles will do wonders for this area and your skin as a whole.”. “Lasers can increase the collagen and elastin in the area,” says Wright. Various ingredients have been researched, developed and included in these creams. A dermatologist may administer these if your dark eye circles are due to broken blood vessels, Badreshia-Bansal says. It's different from bruising around one eye from an injury or redness and swelling in one eye caused by an infection. A lack of sleep and mental fatigue can cause paleness of the skin, allowing the blood underneath the skin to become more visible and appear more blue or darker. “The most common complaint with allergies is swelling, but dark circles can worsen as well,” she says. “Your blood is drawn and spun down in a special tube to activate the platelets, so they release growth hormones that stimulate regeneration of tissue,” says Campbell. Causes of dark circles under the eyes Dark circles are a telltale sign of sleep deprivation, stress, allergies, or illness. Dark circles under eyes causes vitamin deficiency and dark circles under the eyes are an external … A multi-modal approach will offer the most benefit.”, It’s always wise to start with the least-invasive options first. Blue, pink, or purple indicates increased blood vessels or thinner skin where you see vessels. Lasers and fillers can help. Caffeine is a potent vasoconstrictor that has been proven to improve the look of dark circles[9] by constricting, or tightening, the dilated vessels under eyes. The lack of nutrients in the diet, or the lack of a balanced diet, can contribute to the discoloration of the area under the eyes. “Genetics also play a role, with darker skin types more predisposed to dark under-eye circles.”. “Thinning skin that has lost its collagen shows more of the underlying structures, and those dark blue veins cast a dusky shadow on the whole area.”. Use cosmetic concealers to cover up dark under-eye shadows. But it does require some patience. For other uses, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Dark circles in the periorbital region: diagnosis and treatment options", "Identification Of Three Key Factors Contributing To The Aetiology Of Dark Circles By Clinical And Instrumental Assessments Of The Infraorbital Region", "Effects of vitamin C on dark circles of the lower eyelids: quantitative evaluation using image analysis and echogram", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Periorbital_dark_circles&oldid=1006436279, Articles needing additional references from September 2011, All articles needing additional references, Articles lacking reliable references from February 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Dark circles, infraorbital venous stasis, periorbital hyperpigmentation, This page was last edited on 12 February 2021, at 21:58. See a certified medical professional for diagnosis. The area can appear dark or dusky. This article is about dark circles under eyes symptom. Dark circles under your eyes happen when the skin beneath both eyes appears darkened. A research review also showed that there’s a fat pad under each eye, which, as it shrinks, creates a hollow that doesn’t reflect light, causing darkening. In order to get the best results, you need to use them daily.”. She only uses Restylane, and says that bruising, swelling and tenderness are common for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. The skin can also become more pale during pregnancy and menstruation (due to lack of iron), allowing the underlying veins under the eyes to become more visible. Specially formulated for the delicate eye area, the fast-acting retinol cream helps fade the look of stubborn crow's feet, brightens and evens skin tone in the under-eye area, helps smooth fine lines and texture, and reduces the look of dark circles. “Lack of sleep can make the dark circles more prominent by enlarging the blood vessels under the thin skin,” she says. Smoking causes a host of issues, including damage to your skin. They can show up as dark brown or have a pink or purple hue. Most of us blame dark around eyes on lack of sleep, exhaustion or staring at the computer screen for hours. Try sleeping in a different position. Typically, lasers are best for lighter skin tones.”. Dark circles under your eyes usually are not a sign of a medical problem. [5], At one time, hydroquinone solution was often mixed in an oil-free moisturizer that acted like a skin bleach. Depending on what causes your dark circles, switching up certain lifestyle habits might be the most effective treatment for you. Dark circles under the eyes may look purple or blue to dark brown or black, depending on skin color. Hemorrhoid creams contain phenylephrine, which constricts blood vessels and can temporarily tighten the skin under the eyes, making eye bags less noticeable. Low-level laser therapy, autologous fat transplantation and hyaluronic acid fillers are also alternative treatment options. The skin under the eyes is very delicate, any increased blood flow shows through the skin. “With age, these puzzle pieces pull apart, causing areas of shadows or darkness.”. In 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration revoked its approval of hydroquinone for over the counter preparations warning that it may cause cancer or have many other detrimental effects. But the dreaded raccoon effect isn’t necessarily attributed to a lack of shut-eye. Simple treatment options like topical skin brighteners and cold compresses may do the trick, but you could need laser therapy or fillers to achieve a noticeable difference. If blood vessels or extra pigment is the issue, lasers may help. Help improve the signs of skin aging with Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Eye Cream. Did you ever look in the mirror wondering why your skin under your eyes was darker than the rest of your face? How to get rid of dark circles and bags under eyes. Also, dark circles from allergies are caused by superficial venous congestion in the capillaries under eyes. © 2021 Greatist a Red Ventures Company. While the sleep lost from a late night of partying may not be to blame for dark circles, the alcohol you consumed is another story. So, begin with a cold compress.