Treatment for Dark Circles

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What are Dark Circles?

Dark circles under the eyes occur because the skin under the eyes is typically the thinnest of the whole body. This thinness results in increased transparency of the blood vessels underneath, which tend to be a darker, bluish color.

Causes of Dark Circles

Genetics: If your parents or grandparents had dark circles around their eyes there is a good chance you do too

Conditions like sinusitis, rhinitis, Addison's disease, pituitary tumors, thyroid disorders and Cushing's syndrome

Due to the use of photosensitizing drugs based on arsenic, phenothiazines or hydantoin

Fatigue, insomnia, and cigarettes further aggravate dark circles

There are several procedures that promise to get rid of dark circles under the eyes:

Laser

Carboxyltherapy

Chemical Peel

Dermal Fillers

Lymphatic Drainage

The efficacy of the above treatments varies, but the mechanism behind them is an attempt to make the skin under the eye thicker so that the blood vessels underneath will not be as visible as before. Laser treatments and chemical peels in particular work by thickening the skin as a result of the trauma that they effect upon it. Dermal fillers accomplish the same thing in a different way; by filling the skin to make it thicker.

Lymphatic drainage can help with bags under the eyes and general appearance, but will likely not reduce the dark circles significantly. Carboxyltherapy for dark circles, on the other hand is purported to increase circulation, which in this case should not really have an effect on how dark the skin under the eyes is. When undergoing any treatment that causes trauma to the skin, it is important to apply sun screen to the area of treatment because it will be more susceptible to harmful UV rays for several weeks afterward.

Home Treatment for Dark Circles

The best treatment for reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Being tired, sleepy, and malnourished contributes to aggravating their appearance, so eating healthy, including a diet low in sodium, getting enough sleep, avoiding staring into the television, and keeping hydrated will keep the orbitals around your eyes looking better. More information on home remedies for dark circles.

If you suffer from nasal congestion, the dark circles under your eyes may be more evident because of the increased blood flow. Taking care of this condition, whether it is from allergies or a cold, will also help with the dark circles.

Creams for Dark Circles

There is a variety of creams available that will firm up the skin under the eyes and nourish it with vitamins and nutrients. The healthier the skin is the less transparent it will be, and your dark circles will be reduced. Lightening creams should not be used on the skin under the eye because it is quite thin and sensitive. The creams will not be effective for lightening dark circles because the dark circles are a result of the blood vessels underneath rather than the pigment of the skin.

The exception is with dark skinned individuals, for whom the cream will create a contrast in skin tone (lighter skin with less pigment), and make it appear as if the dark circles around the eyes have diminished. Dark circles cannot be erased completely, but you may reduce their appearance in several ways:

Vitamin A, D, and B Creams

Getting plenty of sleep

Treating conditions like sinusitis and others listed above

A balances diet with exercise

Reducing sodium intake

Abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use