Do you work long hours on the laptop? Do you enjoy late-night parties or movie hauls during the weekends? If you can relate to both situations, there are chances that you may be having dark circles. Dark circles under the eyes can have an aesthetic impact that makes people look tired, unhealthy, and older.

Sometimes, deeply set eyes, and hollows under the eyes may lead to a shadowing effect giving an illusion of dark circles. Find out more about the causes and treatments for dark circles right here!

What Are Dark Circles Under Eyes?

Dark circles are light to dark brown or black pigmentation around the eyes formed due to the accumulation of melanin. Also known as periorbital dark circles or periorbital hyperpigmentation, dark circles appear more prominently in fair-skinned individuals as the underlying veins around the eye area gives a reddish-blue tint.

What Causes Under Eye Dark Circles?

Chances of developing dark circles depend on your genetic predisposition and skin tone. As we age, the skin’s elasticity weakens as we start losing collagen, and the area under the eyes begins to become thin and translucent. Darkening of the skin around the eye region may be due to various causes like fluid accumulation under the eyes, increased vascularity in the under-eye skin or constitutional hollows under the eyes. The venous congestion or fluid build-up due to the following causes make dark circles noticeable –

• Fatigue and lack of sleep
• Certain allergies to eye cosmetics
• Ageing process causing skin laxity
• Atopic dermatitis
• Genetics
• Pigmentation irregularities
• Excessive sun exposure
• Habit of rubbing eyes
• Dehydration
• Certain medication
• Anaemia, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency
• Excessive vascularity in the skin around the eyes
• Tear trough (under eye hollows)

How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Under The Eye?

Here are some of the best dark circle treatments methods, which can help you treat this condition:

• Dark Circle Laser Treatment: At Lumina Aesthetics Clinic we do laser technology to treat both superficial and deep pigment around the eyes. It reduces any darkness under the eyes and even helps fade fine lines and wrinkles to some extent. Lasers can remove dark circles under the eyes as well as other skin conditions. The level of discomfort associated with the treatment is minimal, as is the recovery time. In fact, most patients undergoing laser therapy can return to their normal everyday routine immediately, with maybe only a few restrictions. One of the most important things laser treatments can do when used for skin conditions, including remove dark circles, stimulates the production of extra collagen in the lower layers of the skin. Collagen is a protein that helps hold tissue together and gives it an appearance of fullness. The body naturally produces it, but the level at which it is produced significantly drops off with age. Restoring the collagen level to something similar to what it was during the years before the level started to diminish will also restore the appearance to something closer to what it was during those years as well. When laser treatments are used to stimulate collagen production, the technology behind these lasers allows the energy to be absorbed by the lower layers without destroying the upper layers. As the laser energy is absorbed by the skin tissue, it is converted to heat. The heat is what causes the body to produce more collagen. Since collagen can help to restore fullness, it helps to get rid of the dark circles under the eyes by making the blood vessels under the skin have less of an impact on the appearance.

The sessions required greatly depend upon the severity of the issue at hand, the type of treatment that is chosen, and other such factors.  However, on average, Lumina’s doctor advise 3-4 sessions with an interval of 4 weeks. Each session generally lasts for about 30 minutes. You can go back to your routine after the sessions. Lumina’s doctor advises you to use a good quality sunscreen of more than 15 SPF in order to retain the results of the treatment.

• Chemical Peel For Dark Circle: Many chemical peels can reduce the darkness of your under-eye skin provided there is superficial pigmentation. Doctors use glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid and lactic acid in an appropriate quantity to treat infraorbital and periorbital dark circles. Please do not attempt to try any over-the-counter peels on your own as that can be very hazardous. Those chemical peels can irritate the delicate eye area if not applied properly.
• Retinol For Dark Circle: Retinoids are one of the most potent topical ingredients to treat ageing-related concerns, including under-eye dark circles. The regular use of retinol has proven to increase collagen production and skin thickness, but it may often cause skin irritation. Therefore, consult a Lumina’s dermatologist before choosing a retinol cream for dark circles.
• Fillers For Dark Under Eye Circle: Lumina’s doctor perform advanced aesthetic treatment using hyaluronic acid fillers to fill in the hollowness or tear troughs under the eyes. It helps in reducing the shadowing effect and eliminating the tired look.

Home Remedies: You may have heard of age-old remedies promising you instant dark circle removal. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that these may work. Instead, choose a viable and scientifically-proven cosmetic treatment that will improve the tone and texture of your skin around the eyes, reduce the darkness of the circles and improve your appearance.

The cost of professional dermatology treatment for dark circles will vary depending on the cause and severity of the hyper-pigmentation, the procedure selected, the number of sessions required, the experience of the dermatologist and the reputation and location of the clinic.

How To Prevent Dark Circles?

• Dark circles are often hereditary or occur as you age. The following tips can be helpful to prevent or reduce their appearance –
• Eat a balanced diet rich in iron and avoid excessive intake of caffeinated drinks. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• Be gentle on your skin around the eyes. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the area aggressively.
• Cut down on screen time and catch up on sleep.
• Wear sunscreen whenever you are outdoors. Also, protect your eyes from sun damage by wearing sunglasses or hats.

Now, you know all about the causes and procedures for reducing dark circles. Visit your Lumina’s day and enquire about a suitable treatment to eliminate those dark circles from underneath your eyes today.