It's not really a problem, but it makes you look tired and older than you really are.
Sleep has become somewhat of a luxury nowadays. It's so hard to get that suggested eight hours of sleep and we make do with whatever we get. In fact, we all lead such busy lifestyles causing dark circles under the lower eyelids to become extremely common in both men and women.
Often accompanied by bags, dark circles can make you seem older than you are. What's worse is that they can be difficult to get rid of, according to Healthline.
However, dermatologists cite many possible reasons for dark circles, including the composition of the skin, pigment, and melanin around the eye area. One or more factors—including thin skin, hyperpigmentation, hollow tear troughs, or herniated fat pads (aka eye bags)—can be the culprit, per HuffPost.
Basically, frequent eye-rubbing can be a culprit, along with allergies. “That can happen because the rubbing causes an increase in the production of melanin, which leads to dark blotches under the skin,” dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, said. “Rubbing the eyes too hard can cause inflammation and pigment production, so that’s one reason why it’s important to be careful how you take off your makeup.”
Fatigue, age, the strain on the eyes, dehydration, over-exposure to the sun, and genetics could also place a part in making your under eyes look darker than the rest of your face.
The good news is that the problem is treatable, at least temporarily. The best way is to lie down with cold compresses on your eyes. “The compresses help with puffiness by constricting the blood vessels,” dermatologist Jeannette Graf, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, shared. “Try cool cucumber slices or steeped-and-chilled bags of black or green tea.”
Cosmetics can come to the rescue on a really rugged dark-circle day. “If pigment deposition is the true cause of your undereye circles, then makeup or concealers can definitely be a quick fix,” dermatologist DiAnne Davis added. “For a longer-term solution, you can make lifestyle changes that include getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and limiting salt and alcohol consumption. You might want to consider putting a second pillow to elevate your head while sleeping, too.”
While most of these are home remedies, there are options to get dark circles treated medically too. One could undergo several treatment options including chemical peels to reduce pigmentation, laser surgery to resurface the skin, medical tattoos to inject pigment into thinning skin areas, tissue fillers that conceal blood vessels and melanin that causes skin discoloration beneath your eyes, and also fat removal to remove excess fat and skin, to get a smoother and more even surface under the eyes.
To be honest, dark circles are no reason to worry. If the discoloration or swelling worsens over time, then schedule a visit with your doctor who will suggest the next best course of treatment, but otherwise getting proper sleep and rest is more than enough to reduce the pigmentation, if not get rid of it completely.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/dark-circle-under-eyes#
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-get-rid-of-dark-under-eye-circles_l_62349728e4b0c727d47d9785
Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | nicoletaionescu
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
