Banish Those Undereye Blues: What Causes Dark Circles & How to Treat Them

Ever wish you could say goodbye to dark circles under the eyes so you can always look rested and refreshed? There is a plethora of potential causes for undereye blues. But, regardless of what’s causing yours, the good news is that with the right solution you can start enjoying a more rejuvenated look every day.

Factors That Contribute to Undereye Circles

Genetics: If you suffer from dark circles, genetics may be to blame. Some people carry genes that express themselves as dark pigmentation under the eyes, and these genes get inherited from one generation to the next. These are known as hereditary dark circles, which you can learn more about here.

Changes to Facial Structure: As we age, our facial structure changes and the bones around our eyes grow wider. This causes our eyes to hollow out and creates a sunken appearance that intensifies as light reflects off of the contours around the eyes.

Decreased Collagen Production: We also have aging to thank for lower collagen production around the eyes. The skin around the eyes gets thinner as a result, making dark blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface much more visible.

Poor Circulation: Sometimes, oxygen-depleted blood is the culprit behind dark shadows under the eyes. Poor circulation may cause fluid buildup, swelling and inflammation, which – after long periods of time – can cause blood vessels to rupture (“broken blood vessels”) and blood to leak into the skin under the eyes — causing discoloration.

Sun Exposure: Because the skin under the eyes is thinner, and more sensitive, than the skin on the rest of the face, it is much more apt to pigmentation. Prolonged or repeated sun exposure increases the production of melanin in the skin and can result in dark circles.

Allergies: Allergies can potentially lead to inflammation, which dilates the vessels surrounding your eyes and causes a dark, shadow-like appearance in the thin-skinned hollows underneath.

Tips & Treatments to Get Rid of Dark Circles

Tips:

There are a number of tips available to banish those undereye blues once and for all, as well as for preventing existing shadows from getting worse. For starters, it’s always a good idea to avoid prolonged sun exposure, but if you must be out in the sun, be sure to wear eye cream with SPF to protect the delicate area under your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

For undereye shadows caused by seasonal allergies: oral histamines, eye drops, and saline nasal spray can work wonders to reduce or eliminate the appearance of dark circles.

When it comes to poor circulation—eye creams containing vitamin K and caffeine help boost blood flow and work to give dark circles the boot. Using topical retinoids regularly can also ramp up collagen production around the eyes, thereby increasing skin volume and decreasing the appearance of blood vessels.

Cosmetic Treatments: 

The most effective and lasting way to banish undereye circles, though, is to schedule a cosmetic filler appointment. It’s the best solution for eliminating dark circles caused by age, pigmentation, genetics, or facial structure.

Undereye dermal fillers like Belotero or  Restylane work to recontour the face by filling in the hollows under the eyes. And treatment with undereye fillers can last up to a year or longer in many cases. Our physicians and aesthetic nurse specialists will be happy to share their personal recommendations with you for how often you should come in to SkinCenter for touch-up appointments so you can maintain the more rested look that you’ve achieved.

Which Treatment is Right for You?

SkinCenter proudly takes an individualized approach to treating your skin concerns. Schedule a consultation with a SkinCenter provider today to determine the appropriate treatment plan for you!

 

Categories:  Beauty Treatments
Tags:  Best of Westchester, best skincenter, dark circles, dark circles under eyes, eye treatments, medical spa, skin care, Skin Rejuvenation, under eye circles, Westchester Skin Care, Westchester Skin Rejuvenation, Westchester Skin Treatments