Dark circles under the eyes are characterized by round, symmetrical areas of dark pigmentation underneath each eye. These dark circles often start in adulthood, affecting women and men, but they also can occur in children. Dark circles are typically not a medical problem and are usually not permanent; thus, you may be able to alleviate them using the numerous treatment methods often sought by dark-circle sufferers.
Causes of Dark Circles
Dark circles have multiple causes. For instance, sun exposure can cause dark circles, as exposure encourages your body to produce more pigment. Age may also contribute to dark circles; with age, your body loses fat and collagen, which can make the vessels underneath your eyes more obvious, notes MayoClinic.com. Other causes are allergies and skin pigmentation irregularities. Heredity can cause dark circles as well.
Simple Solutions for Dark Circles
To ward off dark circles under the eyes, try wearing sunglasses when exposed to the sun. This prevents against darkening of skin, which will make your dark circles darker. You can also try makeup, such as an over-the-counter concealer. Concealers will provide instant, albeit temporary, cover-up of dark circles. In addition, try to get extra sleep. Lack of sleep can cause paleness and a hollow-eyed appearance, making your dark circles appear darker. These simple solutions may only work for mild to moderate dark circles.
Treatment for Dark Circles
Your physician may recommend prescription skin-lightening ointments or a combination of several treatment methods to help alleviate your circles. In addition, you can try over-the-counter ointments for dark circle relief, although they rarely provide long-term results. Certain surgeries are also available to treat dark circles. If your circles are caused by loss of fat or tissue under the eye, fat or filler injections are available. Laser treatments and chemical peels can help dark circles caused by collagen loss. Consult your physician to discuss these options.
Considerations
Treatment results vary depending on your specific situation, the severity of the circles and the cause of the pigmentation. Have realistic expectations when trying treatments and consult your physician about a combination of treatment methods that will provide the best results for you. In addition, your dark circles may be caused by other medical factors. Consult your physician before self-treating your dark under eye circles to determine underlying cause of your condition.
Warning
While dark circles under the eyes are generally not a medical problem, certain changes in your dark circles may be indicative of an underlying cause. If swelling or discoloration of the circle underneath one eye occurs and begins to worsen, consult your physician about causes and methods of treatment. In addition, medicines, ointments and at-home applications may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction. If you experience rash, redness, itchiness or burning on the area to which you've applied a treatment, or if you experience wheezing, hives or facial swelling, discontinue use and consult your physician.
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