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Dark circles or periorbital hyperpigmentation is a relatively common condition in people from all age groups. There are many causes of dark circles but the most common one is fatigue.
The most common suggestion you will get is to get enough sleep. But the reality is that it is not that simple and easy. There are tons of reasons for the under-eye discolouration and those pesky dark circles. Treating them is not a one-stop-shop fix.
Following are some of the reasons why people experience dark circles because like any other ailment or problem, understanding the potential causes of dark circles is key to treat them.
Causes of Under-eye pigmentation and dark circles:
There can be a number of physical, environmental and hereditary reasons of dark circles under the eyes. Some of the common reasons are as follow:
- Allergies
- Inflammation
- Thin Skin; visible veins. This can get worse with age as the skin on that area loses collagen and fat.
- Toxins in the beauty or skincare product, or within the body
- Your genetic eye structure
- Shadows from under-eye bags
- Fatigue/stress (often due to lack of sleep)
- Smoking
- Overexposure to the sun
- Hormonal changes
- Rubbing or scratching under the eyes
Treatment methods vary because of different causes and conditions. There are topical and internal treatments ranging from taking supplements to changing lifestyle. It is worth to take a trip to your doctor to find out exactly what’s causing the dark circles. You will be able to choose the most effective treatment option for yourself. Following are some suggestions that can help you clear away the dark circles.
For Lack of Sleep or Fatigue:
Lack of sleep and fatigue are the most common causes of dark circles. To begin with, make small changes in our sleeping habits; try to get 7-8 hours of sleep at night. Include anti-inflammatory foods like fish, olive oil, fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
For Inflammation Stress, Allergies or Toxins:
When treating dark circles internally, consume dietary supplements designed to provide a liver detox. Anti-inflammation ingredients like milk thistle restore damaged cells from stress, alcohol and environmental toxins.
Also, dandelion roots aid detox and safeguard your body and artichoke leaf helps to flush out unwanted toxins from your body.
In the case of allergies, taking Zyrtec every day is the best way to combat under-eye discolouration and puffiness under the eyes.
For Thin Skin and Hyperpigmentation due to overexposure of sun:
If the dark circles are due to the thin skin around the eyes, try using filler under the eyes. It can help in offsetting shadows from fat loss in the skin surrounding your eyes. It will also be great for concealing any underlying blood vessels that can be giving a purple shade to the skin.
Applying creams or serums with caffeine ingredient can shrink down the blood vessels which will reduce the violaceous discolouration of the area.
A mild lightening agent like hydroquinone with kojic acid and antioxidants can reduce the pigmentation and brighten the skin as well.
Always remember that you are not alone and the best to treat dark circles is seeking medical advice when changing lifestyle and over-the-counter remedies do not suffice. If you still frightening dark circles, a good concealer can be a good trick.
