People often think dark circles underneath the eyes are caused by inadequate sleep. While this can be one cause, there are other reasons for dark under-eye circles. The darkness underneath your eyes may look purple, blue, dark brown, or black, depending on your skin color. Though rarely a cause for concern, many people may wish to reduce their appearance for aesthetic reasons.
Causes
The skin underneath the eyes is some of the thinnest on our bodies, making it more susceptible to fine lines and discoloration. The area appears darker due to constricted blood vessels, causing hyperpigmentation, or from thinning of the skin around the eyes.
All the causes of dark circles under the eyes include:
- Poor sleeping habits
- Allergies, including hay fever
- Over-production of melanin, also known as hyperpigmentation
- Reduced levels of fatty tissue around the eyes
- Thinning skin due to age
- Anemia
- Overexposure to sunlight
- Aging or genetics
- Thyroid condition
- Dehydration
- Smoking
Home Remedies
The best home remedy for dark under-eye circles is more sleep. People can make sure they are getting enough quality sleep each night to help reduce or prevent dark circles.
Cucumbers or cold compresses are another helpful tip to help reduce dark circles by constricting the blood vessels.
Teabags may help lessen dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. The caffeine in tea has antioxidant properties and stimulates blood circulation around the eyes.
Antioxidant skincare products that are high in vitamin E and C can also significantly help reduce the appearance of dark circles. An added trick is to gently give yourself a facial using your skincare products to help improve blood circulation.
Of course, the tried and true remedy is makeup. An underage concealer can significantly lighten the appearance of dark circles.
Medical Treatments
If home remedies are not enough to get rid of those persistent under-eye circles, there is always the option to see a cosmetic plastic surgeon or dermatologist for advice on medical treatments.
Dermal fillers are a great treatment for the thinning of the skin or fatty tissue that cause dark circles under the eyes. People can have injections of hyaluronic acid gel into the area underneath the eyes to help restore volume and strengthen the thinning skin.
Eyelid surgery, or Blepharoplasty, can help rejuvenate and restore your eyes both cosmetically and functionally when performed by a highly experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon. Blepharoplasty enhances the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The excess skin and pockets of fat cells are carefully removed through tiny incisions to smooth and brighten underneath the eyes.
With over 30 years of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Shlomo Widder is unmatched in his knowledge, care, attention to detail, safety precautions, and results. For more information on how to blink those dark circles away, contact Widder Plastic Surgery today!