Dark circles under the eyes create a haggard appearance. Sundry factors can cause dark circles under the eyes, including genetic conditions and various physical problems. Often, treatment of the underlying conditions improves the appearance of the under eye circles. Under certain circumstances, cosmetic surgery can lighten or remove the dark circles.
Medical Conditions
Dark circles under the eyes caused by stress, life style or by underlying medical conditions do not require surgery. Dark circles make their appearance when you lack sleep, cry excessively or consume large amounts of alcohol. Sinus congestion, colds or allergies cause veins around the eyes to enlarge, creating a bluish tint under the eyes. Eczema, a skin condition marked by redness, itching, inflammation and swelling of the skin, can affect the area under the eyes. When it does, it creates the impression of dark circles. Vitamin or iron deficiencies, poor hydration can cause dark circles under the eyes. These conditions should are best addressed medically or by changes in lifestyle.
Genetics
Hereditary conditions can cause dark circles under the eyes, and may not respond to over-the-counter skin lighteners. Some people may have dark circles because of a genetic tendency to have dark pigment in the skin just below the eyes. This condition can affect children, men and women according to MayoClinic.com. Also, ethnicities with dark skin pigment, including Asians and blacks, can have imperfections in pigmentation in the form of dark circles under the eyes.
Finally, some people have deep set eyes, prominent foreheads, or other structural features that cause shadows that create the appearance of under eye circles. People with these hereditary conditions may make appropriate candidates for cosmetic surgery to lighten the appearance of circles under their eyes.
Excessive Vascularization
Certain medications, such as Retin A, cause the development of excessive blood vessels around the eyes, which create the appearance of under eye circles. Some of the superficial vessels can be treated surgically.
Laser
Laser treatments such as laser resurfacing and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment can eliminate conspicuous capillaries and veins. Laser skin resurfacing dissolves the bonds of damaged skin cells on the multiple layers of the skin creating a smoother, uniform skin appearance. IPL treatment, also referred to as photofacial treatment, uses intense pulses of light to penetrate into deeper layers of the skin, causing blood vessels and collagen below the skin surface to constrict. This reduces redness and age lines, once the swelling and redness caused by treatment disappear. Benefits take several weeks to occur.
Injections
People with structural features that cause under eye shadows may benefit from the surgical injection of dermal fillers. Collagen, a natural protein found in skin, tendons, bone and cartilage, can be injected to fill out the under-eye area and eliminate shadows. Similarly, fat obtained from another area of the body via liposuction, can be injected under the eyes to reduce shadows.
Consultation
Not all people are suitable candidates for the different types of cosmetic surgery. Consult with your health care professional to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for cosmetic surgery to reduce under eye circles.
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