Dark circles under the lower eyelids are common in men and women. Often accompanied by bags, dark circles can make you appear older than you are. To make matters worse, they can be difficult to get rid of.Though they can affect anyone, dark circles are most common in people who:
* are elderly
* have a genetic predisposition to this condition peri orbital hyperpigmentation
* are from non-white ethnic darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation around the eye area.
While fatigue may seem like the most logical explanation for this condition, there are a number of factors that can contribute to dark circles under the eyes. In most cases, they are no cause for concern and do not require medical attention.
What causes dark circles?
There are a number of contributing factors for dark circles. Some common causes of include:
Fatigue
Oversleeping, extreme fatigue, or just staying up a few hours past your normal bedtime can cause dark circles to form under your eyes. Sleep deprivation can cause your skin to become dull and pale hence dark circles
Age
Natural aging is another common cause of those dark circles beneath your eyes. As you get older, your skin becomes thinner. You also lose the fat and collagen needed to maintain your skin’s elasticity.
Eye strain
Staring at your television or computer screen can cause significant strain on your eyes.
Allergies
Allergic reactions and eye dryness can trigger dark circles. Allergies can also increase your urge to rub and scratch the itchy skin around your eyes. These actions can worsen your symptoms, causing inflammation, swelling, and broken blood vessels. This can result in dark shadows beneath your eyes.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a common cause of dark circles under your eyes. When your body is not receiving the proper amount of water, the skin beneath your eyes begins to look dull and your eyes look sunken
Sun overexposure
Overexposure to the sun can cause your body to produce an excess of melanin, the pigment that provides your skin with color. Too much sun — particularly for your eyes — can cause pigmentation in the surrounding skin to darken.
Genetics
Family history also plays a part in developing dark circles under your eyes. It can be an inherited trait seen early in childhood, and may worsen as you age or slowly disappear. Predispositions to other medical conditions — such as thyroid disease— can also result in dark circles beneath your eyes.
At-Home treatments:-
Treatment for dark eye circles depends on the underlying cause. Some of the more common methods include:
* Apply a cold compress: A cold compress can help reduce swelling and shrink dilated blood vessels. Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean washcloth and apply to your eyes.
* Get extra sleep. Catching up on sleep can also help reduce the appearance of dark circles. Allow yourself seven to eight hours of rest to prevent dark circles from appearing.
* Elevate your head. While sleep deprivation can play a part in producing those dark bags under your eyes.
* Soak with tea bags : Applying cold tea bags to your eyes can improve their appearance.
* Conceal with makeup. While makeup and cosmetics do not cure dark eye circles, they can help to camouflage them. Concealers can cover dark marks so they blend in with your normal skin.
Medical treatments
For a more effective and permanent solution, some medical treatments are available to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Some of the more common methods include:
* Chemical peels to reduce pigmentation
* laser surgery to resurface the skin and enhance skin tightening
* medical tattoos to inject pigment into thinning skin areas
* tissue fillers to conceal blood vessels and melanin that are causing skin discoloration beneath your eyes.
* fat removal to remove excess fat and skin, revealing a smoother and more even surface
* surgical implants of fat or synthetic products
Dr A H Hajra Salar
Ophthalmologist
I Care Centre
Hyderbad