Dark Circles Under Eyes

Dark circles under the eyes are one of the most common problems in the anti-aging skin care industry, and there’s no shortage of creams, serums, and other related products which claim to have the solution.

In this article, we are going to take a closer look at what causes dark circles to form under the eye, and what you can do to reduce their appearance. By the time you have finished reading, you will know exactly what you can do. So let’s begin.

Firstly, what exactly are dark under eye circles?

Basically, it is when the darker blood vessels below your eye become visible from the surface, due to the thinner layers of skin in this area. The darker blood causes a blue/black appearance, which can look very similar to a bruise.

If you suffer with this, then you are already aware that it can often invite comments like “you look tired” or similar. It can often give you a “tired look” 24/7.

But what causes them to appear in the first place?

Here are some of the common reasons:

Heredity Factors – This is where the dark under eye circles are “passed on” genetically, which usually means you have naturally occurring thin skin in this area, which makes the blood vessels more visible.

Allergies – This is another common reason. Whether it’s hay fever, a reaction to medication (birth control pills, for example, can cause the blood vessels to dilate further), or gluten intolerance, it seems an allergic reaction can often effect the eye area.

If you suspect it is due to an allergy, it would be wise to consult your doctor to check. Finding what you are reacting to can be difficult, especially without medical assistance. It could also be a vitamin deficiency, which will require tests.

Health Problems – Dark circles can be caused by liver problems, anaemia, and several other health issues. There can also be a possibly of “fluid retention”, which can be a sign of something more serious. Again, it’s important to talk to your doctor if this could be you.

Tiredness – This is another big culprit. Not getting enough sleep (at least 8 hours is recommended for most people) will cause you to develop dark under eye circles. If you simply make sure you get enough sleep, you may find those “eye bags” fade away in just a few days.

Aging – As you become older, the loss of collagen from your skin can cause the thinning of skin layers. This is most apparent around the eye, where the skin is already very thin to begin with.

Lifestyle – having a generally unhealthy lifestyle can certainly have a negative effect, too. Too much alcohol, cigarettes, or caffeine can have many effects on your skin complexion, and effect dark under eye circles – usually making them worse.

Also, try to cut down on foods with a high salt content – because this can make the problem worse, as it effects blood circulation. Try to incorporate certain antioxidant foods, such as blueberries, which can help your skin complexion. Improving your diet in general can only help.

So now that we’ve looked at the common causes, what can be done about it?

First, let’s look at the natural remedies.

One of the “classic” remedies has always been the cucumber treatment. This simply involves cutting two thick slices of cucumber, and leaving them over each closed eye for around 10 minutes. The benefits to this are that it can relieve eye puffiness and generally improve the darkness problem. It can also leave your eyes feeling revitalized – although the effect is likely to be temporary.

Another solution is to use a “frozen spoon” and “roll” it around your eye area. The coldness can help to soothe the area.

While not quite a “natural remedy”, you may like to try using an anti-aging eye serum. Many products are designed especially for this area, to boost collagen production and make your dark under eye circles less visible. The Xtend Life Eye Serum is good for this, as well as the LifeCell anti-aging cream (which can also be used on your entire face, to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles).

You can also try a moisturizer which contains a high amount of Vitamin K. This is because Vitamin K in particular is known to help with dark under eye circles.

Finally, you could use a good concealer to hide the darkness temporarily. The right color tone can help to hide the darkish tint quite well.

But if none of these options are enough – you can always decide to have a more “drastic” treatment option, by choosing a cosmetic or surgical procedure.

Here’s an overview of your main options:

Laser Surgery - This usually involves resurfacing your skin. It can be very effective, but the downside is that it can be a long, drawn-out, and painful healing process.

Injections – These involve “plumping” the under eye area with a filler, to help plump out the thinner skin. This will help to hide the darker blood vessels, which will make them harder to see through the layers of skin. It can work very well, but the results are temporary. You will usually need to have the injections repeated every 6 months or so. It can also be expensive, easily costing up to $1000.

Also, be aware of the side effects. Some of the common ones are eye puffiness, as well as “lumps” forming under your skin. These lumps can’t be “removed”; you just have to wait for them to fade. This can potentially take several months.

To summarize, a good compromise is to try an anti-aging product such as LifeCell. This can help to treat the problem rather than mask it, and most people are more comfortable with applying a topical cream rather than having a cosmetic procedure performed on them. There is also less chance of negative side effects.

Alternatively, you can try natural, alternative remedies – such as the cucumber trick. It is worth applying plenty of Vitamin K moisturizer to help revitalize the area.

Dark under eye circles are certainly one of the peskiest and troublesome signs of aging, but there are many treatments available which can give good results – so there are definitely worth trying.