Dark circles under the eyes are usually harmless and may be caused by sun damage, allergies, inadequate sleep, the natural aging process or water retention. The best treatment option depends on the cause of the circles under the eyes and ranges from temporary makeup tricks to dermatologist-performed laser procedures.
Significance
Treatment for dark circles under the eyes range from inexpensive home remedies to expensive bleaching creams and laser procedures. To determine the best treatment option, individuals should narrow down the cause of the under-eye circles to determine the right treatment. For instance, an individual with allergies may experience temporary relief from under-eye circles when taking an antihistamine or placing a cold compress under the eyes, but eliminating the cause of the allergy is a more effective treatment.
Types
Home remedies suggested by the Mayo Clinic include placing cold peas in a washcloth or frozen spoons on the eyes to reduce swelling, elevating the head with extra pillows to encourage under-eye drainage, getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night, camouflaging the circles with makeup, rinsing out the sinuses with saline solution and applying over-the-counter topical eye treatments containing vitamin C and vitamin K. Dermatologist treatments include under-eye laser procedures and chemical peels to remove dark pigment.
Time Frame
Over-the-counter remedies work almost immediately and last for several hours. An under-eye laser procedure requires a few days to several weeks to heal states "The New York Times." The healing time of a chemical peel depends on the depth and strength of the peel but may require up to a few weeks of healing time. Both laser treatments and chemical peels may require more than one treatment to be effective. Temporary remedies like taking antihistamines and applying ice to the eyes must be repeated every few hours to maintain results.
Prevention
Under-eye circles can be prevented by avoiding the sun and protecting the skin under the eyes from sun exposure suggests the Mayo Clinic. Individuals with sun damage under the eyes may require a surgical procedure like laser treatments to remove the dark skin pigmentation under the eyes. Further damage can be prevented by wearing a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher and wearing a hat or sunglasses while out in the sun.
Expert Insight
In "The New York Times" Dr. John A. Persing, chief of plastic surgery at the Yale University School of Medicine states that for under-eye circles, "multiple creams are available, however it is unclear how effective they are." Dr. Persing suggests over-the-counter treatments for under-eye circles that contain alpha hydroxy acids, as well as vitamin C and vitamin K. These products cause the under-eye area to swell and thicken, preventing dark blood vessels from showing through the delicate skin under the eyes.
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