Dark under-eye circles have been linked to a range of different issues, only some of which you can control. If your genetics aren't to blame, there's a good chance you can remedy dark circles by plumping up your delicate under-eye skin.
Misconceptions
Most people put the blame for dark circles under their eyes on fatigue or lack of sleep. Although fatigue does dull the skin, your genetics are a more likely culprit, the "New York Times" reported in 2008. The Mayo Clinic agrees, citing heredity as a far more likely cause of dark circles than lack of sleep or too much partying.
Considerations
In many cases, the natural aging process brings on dark circles. As you age, your skin loses the ability to retain moisture and your collagen production decreases. Found in the dermis, collagen is a protein that keeps your epidermis plump, unlined and smooth. Collagen wears down over time, the Cleveland Clinic explains, resulting in a loss of skin elasticity and tone. These losses leave your skin thinner than before, to the point where your bluish-red blood vessels may show through.
Genetic Factors
Aside from aging, your genetics may be to blame. According to Dr. Brooke Seckel, founder of the Lahey Center for Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Massachusetts, those of certain ethnicities are prone to more lower eyelid pigmentation than others, including African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and those of Middle Eastern descent. Seckel warns that sun exposure can accelerate the pigmentation process --- another reason to slather on sunblock whenever you leave the house.
The Arcus Marginalis
Dr. Seckel offers another possible cause for dark circles in an arcus marginalis deformity. Everyone has an arcus marginalis --- it's what keeps your under-eye skin attached to your eye socket. Sometimes, however, the positioning of the arcus marginalis causes a fold of skin to roll over, causing an under-eye "bag." You can undergo a surgical procedure to release the arcus marginalis, smoothing out the skin and removing the puffy "bags" under your eyes.
Non-Surgical Remedies
Dr. John Persing, chief of plastic surgery at Yale University's School of Medicine, recommends treating your dark circles topically. If you don't know what's causing them, he says, try creams that thicken the delicate under-eye skin; these will usually contain alpha hydroxy acids, long used to rejuvenate skin. You can also try creams with vitamins C or K, which Persing says inflame the skin and plump it up. The Cleveland Clinic cautions against creams that claim to deposit collagen --- it can't be absorbed topically, its doctors say. A collagen injection is the only way to deposit collagen directly into the dermis.
Member Comments