Dark circles and puffy eyes can be a common cosmetic concern, often affecting our self-confidence. They can be caused by various factors, and understanding the underlying reasons can help you find effective solutions.
In this article, we’ll explore the common causes of dark circles and puffy eyes, along with effective home remedies and medical treatments to alleviate these concerns.
What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?
Several factors can contribute to having dark circles under your eyes. For the most part, it isn’t a sign of concern.
However, it can be unappealing, and most people would prefer not to have them. The most common causes of these dark circles are:
- Sleep deprivation. Causes your skin to appear dull or pale, which exposes dark tissues and blood vessels.
- Fatigue. Causes the area below your eyes to darken. Puffy eyelids, which may form shadows that appear as bags under your eyes, are also common.
- Age. Aging causes thinning of the facial skin. With age, skin loses elasticity, allowing the dark tissues and vessels underneath to show.
- Dehydration. Lack of water in the body dehydrates your skin. This makes the area below your eyes appear dull, dark, or sunken.
- Sun overexposure. Overexposing your eyes to the sun can trigger the overproduction of melanin. Excess melanin production around the eyes will darken the area.
- Smoking. Studies show that smokers are more likely to suffer sleep deprivation due to nicotine’s stimulant effect. Smoking also causes premature skin aging.
- Alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol causes premature skin aging and dehydration, both factors that may cause the skin under your eyes to appear darker than usual.
- Poor diet. Lack of proper nutrition, including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, often results in dull, unhealthy skin. This includes skin discoloration around your eyes.
What Conditions Contribute To Dark Undereye Circles?
Certain conditions can result in dark circles in the eyes. For example, having an iron deficiency or anemia can result in insufficient oxygen supply in the skin under your eyes.
Allergies can cause rubbing and scratching, which can cause the areas under your eyes to darken. Meanwhile, some food allergies can darken the area as well.
On the other hand, an injury to your eye can result in “black eyes”. Black eyes may also appear after cosmetic surgery or severe sinus infections.
In some cases, these dark circles can be inherited, meaning they’ll always appear regardless of other environmental factors. Lastly, a rare liver disease called porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) can cause painful blisters and fragile skin which can darken the skin.
6 Home Remedies For Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
There are various home remedies that can help get rid of dark circles under your eyes. We listed them below.
1. Get Enough Sleep
The average adult needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Getting enough sleep reduces fatigue and refreshes your body and skin. Bags under your eyes will typically disappear after a good rest.
2. Apply a Cold Compress
Cold compressing involves applying an ice pack or a chilled washcloth on your eyes. Cold water or an ice pack can reduce swelling by shrinking dilated blood vessels.
This will reduce puffiness and get rid of dark circles. Repeat the process if the cloth becomes warm or if the ice melts.
3. Apply Cucumber
Cucumber slices can soothe tired eyes and minimize puffiness. Cucumber has high water and Vitamin C contents, both of which hydrate and nourish the skin. It also contains silica, a mineral that is necessary for tissue health.
4. Apply Tea Bags
Cold tea bags can also reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Tea contains caffeine and other antioxidants that enhance blood circulation, shrink dilated blood vessels, and prevent fluid build-up.
Soak black or green tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes. Allow them to stand for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
Then, apply the cold tea bags to your closed eyes for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse your eyes with cool water afterward.
5. Hydrate
Drink plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated. According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), the daily recommended fluid intake is 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women. If drinking water is difficult for you, try sparkling or flavored water.
6. Use Facial Massages and Avoid MakeUp
Gentle massages around the eyes improve circulation and get rid of dark circles. Although it’s not a permanent solution, you can use an undereye concealer to temporarily hide dark circles.
6 Medical Treatments for Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
If home remedies fail, your doctor or dermatologist may recommend medical treatment. Available options include:
1. Topical Creams
Bleaching creams such as hydroquinone, tretinoin, or a combination of both can reduce hyperpigmentation around your eyes.
Because the skin in this area is delicate, consult your doctor to make sure the cream is safe to use around your eyes. For best results, you may need to use hydroquinone for at least 3 months.
2. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels containing alpha-hydroxy acids can reduce hyperpigmentation around the eyes. They can also be used with topical treatments to provide a better result.
3. Laser Treatment
Laser therapy involves using heat energy to get rid of damaged cells and enhance new collagen formation. Scarring and other potential adverse effects can be reduced with less invasive laser techniques such as pulsed dye or diode lasers.
4. Dermal Fillers
Your eye doctor can inject platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler such as Restylane, Juvederm, or Perlane into your under-eye tissue. This fills up lost facial volume and reduces or eliminates dark circles.
5. Kojic Acid
Some experts believe that Kojic acid can clear dark circles under your eyes. Kojic acid is a natural substance derived from two fungal species. However, it might cause contact dermatitis and skin reddening, so use it with caution.
6. Surgery
Dark circles around the eyes caused by fat or extra skin can be removed through eye bag surgery (blepharoplasty). This procedure eliminates the shade that excess eyelid skin casts over the eye. Blepharoplasty must be performed by a qualified oculoplastic surgeon, dermatologic surgeon, or plastic surgeon.
When to See a Medical Professional
Seek medical advice if you observe persistent swelling and discoloration under one eye. This may be a sign of mild allergies or severe complications such as:
- Organ failure (such as kidney failure)
- An eye stye (red, painful lump usually outside the eyelids)
- Periorbital cellulitis (infected wound near the eye)
- Lymphoma (type of cancer associated with swelling or tumor)
- Blocked tear ducts
Your doctor will examine your eyes to determine the root cause of the dark circles. They will also evaluate your personal, medical, and family history.
How To Prevent Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
The best way to prevent dark circles from appearing under your eyes is by getting enough rest and reducing stress. Changing the way you sleep can also help.
For example, try sleeping with your head elevated to avoid fluid build-up in your eyelid. When you go outside you can protect your eyes from direct sunlight with sunglasses and sunscreen. Lastly, you should stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.
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