Causes of Dark Circles and the Best Treatments to Reduce Them

Looking in the mirror and seeing dark circles under your eyes can be defeating. Covering up the problem doesn’t always work and isn’t treating the issue. If you’re reading this, chances are you are suffering from rings under your eyes and you want to treat them so they go away, instead of trying to figure out how to mask them every morning when you get up.

Understanding what’s causing dark circles in the first place is a good place to start. Then you can choose one of the treatment methods that best suits the cause. Let’s find out more.

Dark Circles Causes

There are several reasons why you may be suffering from dark eye circles, some of which are due to lifestyle factors, and others can be blamed on medical conditions or skin conditions. Getting to the root cause is the best way to choose which treatment is best for you. Consider the many reasons you might have those ever-present rings under your eyes. 

• Lack of sleep
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Stress
• Eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Genetic predisposition
• Allergic reactions
• Rubbing your eyes excessively
• Aging
• Hyperpigmentation
• Melasma
• Sun exposure

The precise cause of the dark rings on the delicate skin under your eyes is something you should determine with the help of an experienced physician like Dr. Zadeh, who can also help you consider the treatment options that might work. In most cases, there isn’t a medical cause, but it makes sense to rule out the potential that something else is going on. 

However, if you notice that you only have a dark circle under one eye, or the condition worsens, despite treatment, you should get checked out again.

Cosmetic Procedures to Treat Dark Circles 

There are a variety of treatment options when you have dark eye circles. These cosmetic treatments aim to improve the look of your skin, which can improve the appearance of dark areas under your eyes. In some cases, a combination of treatments will produce the best results. Consulting with a reputable aesthetic physician is the best way to get the condition under control, using the appropriate treatment methods for your specific needs. 

Dermal Fillers

Before and after of a patient with under eye filler

There are quite a few dermal filler options available, including Restylane, RHA, Juvéderm, hyaluronic acid, and others. If the cause of your dark circles is aging or loss of skin volume in the eye area, plumping the skin and smoothing wrinkles and fine lines can also help minimize darkness in the eye area. These injectable fillers smooth the area between the lower eyelid and the cheek, eliminating dark shadows and brightening the entire area. 

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are designed to slough off aging skin and reveal brighter, younger, and healthier skin beneath. By exfoliating the superficial layers of the skin on your face, you can effectively brighten dark patches, while also increasing collagen production. The combination results in a smoother eye area that is also brightened, thereby reducing the appearance of dark circles. 

Laser Treatments

Laser therapy utilizes laser technology to boost collagen production and improve the skin’s texture and tone. There are several types of lasers that can be used, including our nanoray laser therapy, erbium lasers, CO2 lasers and intense pulsed light therapy. By targeting the blood vessels and the overall appearance of your skin, laser treatments minimize discoloration and dark under-eye circles. 

Microneedling

This procedure utilizes very tiny needles to create micro-injuries on the skin. While this sounds a bit counterintuitive, the result is that your body boosts collagen production in response, healing the damage while also helping eliminate skin discoloration and dark circles. At the same time, microneedling improves overall skin texture and tone, smoothing wrinkles and plumping the entire area, which helps get rid of shadows that make the problem worse. 

Eyelid Surgery

In some cases, a surgical procedure is the best way to get rid of dark circles under your eyes and transform your entire appearance, while also boosting self-esteem and confidence. Eyelid surgery involves adjusting fat deposits, removing loose skin, and toning and tightening the skin around your eye sockets. The result is fewer wrinkles and shadows, helping eliminate the dark rings and bringing back your youthful appearance at the same time. 

At Home Solutions for Dark Circles

While there are certainly a variety of cosmetic and medical treatments to treat dark circles, there are also steps you can take at home to minimize their appearance. It’s always a good idea to discuss these home remedies with your healthcare provider to be sure they are appropriate for you, particularly if you have any existing skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, skin cancer, acne or any others. 

More Sleep

Getting the recommended number of hours of sleep is one of the best ways to treat under eye circles. The average adult needs seven to nine hours every night. If you aren’t getting that much, simply going to bed earlier might help ease the problem. Lack of sleep makes your skin pale, exacerbating dark circles. Make an effort to get enough snooze time and practice good sleep hygiene to amplify the benefits. You might also try elevating your head with an additional pillow to prevent puffy eyelids and fluid retention around your eyes, which can also make dark circles look more pronounced. 

Cold Compress

Dilated blood vessels under your eyes contribute to the appearance of dark rings in the area. You can ease the problem by applying cold compresses to your eyes. This might be cold cucumber slices, an ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a soft cloth. Whatever method you choose, the cold exposure can help constrict the blood vessels and reduce the appearance of the darkness in the eye area. 

Limit Sun Exposure

It’s always a good idea to practice good sun safety. That doesn’t mean you should never go outside. In fact, spending time in the sun is good for your health. However, you should always limit the damage that UVA and UVB rays can cause by wearing sunscreen. Apply your sun protection before heading outside, then reapply every couple of hours. This protects you from a wide range of skin conditions caused by sun damage and is an effective way to limit and control the appearance of dark circles. 

Topical Creams and Skincare Products

There are loads of eye products on the market that make all kinds of promises when it comes to anti-aging and skin discoloration. The trick is to find the one that meets your needs and is ideal for your specific skin type. To treat dark circles, look for products that contain hydroquinone, retinol, vitamin C, or caffeine. Almond oil and products that contain vitamin K are other great options. Apply the product according to the manufacturer’s directions to get the best results. 

Tea Bags

Tea bags work for a couple of reasons. One is that they usually contain caffeine, which helps constrict the blood vessels in the area. The second is that you can chill tea bags, which offer the same benefits as a cold compress, as discussed above. Be sure to rinse your eye area after applying tea bags. 

Summary

No one wants to deal with dark circles under their eyes. If it’s something you’re battling, there is hope, both with cosmetic treatments, eye creams, and at-home remedies. Often, one or the other is an ideal solution. For some people, a combination of the two will offer the best results. Whatever you choose for your dark circles, combine the method by using proper protection to prevent sun damage, choose skin products that align with your skin type, and drink plenty of water on a daily basis. In no time, you’ll start to notice that the dark circles under your eyes start to abate, and you’ll love what you see in the mirror once again. 

We offer a range of cosmetic procedures to deal with dark eye circles at the Z Center for Cosmetic Health. We also sell a range of skincare treatments, especially formulated by Dr. Zadeh.