Understanding and Managing Dark Circles Under the Eyes

Understanding and Managing Dark Circles Under the Eyes

Dark circles under the eyes are one of the most common concerns clients raise when visiting a cosmetic clinic. They can make us look tired, stressed, or older than we feel, even when we are well-rested. While dark circles are rarely a sign of a medical problem, they can impact confidence and are often frustrating to manage. Understanding the causes and adopting simple lifestyle adjustments can make a big difference in prevention and improvement.

Common Causes of Dark Circles

1. Genetics and Skin Structure

For some people, dark circles are largely hereditary. Thin skin under the eyes allows underlying blood vessels to show more easily, giving a shadowed or bluish appearance.

2. Pigmentation

Hyperpigmentation, which may be influenced by sun exposure, hormones, or skin type, can darken the under-eye area.

3. Allergies and Hay Fever

Allergic reactions and hay fever can contribute significantly to dark circles. Constant rubbing and irritation from itchy eyes may cause “allergic shiners,” which appear as purplish circles beneath the eyes. Treating hay fever with appropriate medications or allergy management can reduce this effect and help protect the delicate under-eye skin.

4. Lifestyle Factors

Poor sleep, dehydration, smoking, and excessive alcohol intake can all make dark circles more prominent. Fatigue can also cause the skin to appear paler, making shadows more noticeable.

5. Aging

With age, the skin under the eyes becomes thinner and loses collagen and fat, making the hollowing and blood vessels more visible.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Prevent Dark Circles

  • Manage allergies and hay fever: Addressing allergies early can reduce irritation and prevent the formation of allergic shiners. Antihistamines, nasal sprays, and medical advice can help keep symptoms under control.
  • Be gentle with the eye area: Avoid rubbing your eyes and apply or remove makeup carefully without pressing or pulling the skin. Use soft cotton pads or your ring finger to apply products with minimal pressure.
  • Prioritise sleep and hydration: Quality sleep and good hydration can improve overall skin health and reduce tired-looking eyes.
  • Protect from the sun: Daily use of sunscreen and sunglasses can prevent pigmentation and premature aging around the eyes.
  • Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Reducing alcohol, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a nutrient-rich diet support skin health and reduce under-eye concerns.

Cosmetic Treatments for Dark Circles

When lifestyle measures are not enough, a variety of safe and effective treatments may improve the appearance of dark circles. Ranging from topical creams, to PRP and Vitamin boost treatment.

Final Thoughts

Dark circles are a common concern with many contributing factors, but they don’t have to be permanent. By understanding the causes and taking steps to care for the delicate under-eye area, you can reduce their appearance and improve skin health. For those wanting more noticeable or long-term improvement, our clinic offers tailored treatment options to help you manage this concern.

 

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FAQ

How does muscle relaxing toxin injection work?

It works by relaxing facial muscles, thereby temporarily reducing and smoothing dynamic frown lines and wrinkles, i.e. those lines caused by movement of the muscles.

Who should not take botulinum toxin?

  • Had an allergic reaction to any of the botulinum toxin products or their ingredients.
  • Have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
  • A disease that affects your muscles and nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome).
  • Had any side effect from the product product in the past.
  • A breathing problem, such as asthma or emphysema.
  • Swallowing problems.
  • Bleeding problems.
  • Plans to have surgery.
  • Had surgery on your face.
  • Weakness of your forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows.
  • Drooping eyelids.
  • Any other change in the way your face normally looks.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • Are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed.

Do treatment results differ?

Yes, individual results may vary. To get the best results, it's important to go to a doctor who is experienced in administering these injections.

What conditions can be treated effectively with laser therapy?

  • Vascular lesions

Well-defined lesions (abnormalities of the tissue, in this case the skin) that contain blood are usually amenable to laser therapy. These include unwanted blood vessels (‘broken capillaries’) on the face, and birth marks such as port wine stains. Depending on the size of the lesion, the number of laser treatments that are needed can range from 2 to 10 or more.

Laser therapy is also sometimes used for small varicose veins and spider veins.

  • Pigmented lesions

Pigmented lesions that can be treated include: freckles; solar lentigos (liver, or age, spots); flat, pigmented seborrhoeic keratoses (age warts); and café au lait spots (light-tan spots). Laser treatments for pigmented lesions are generally spaced 6 or more weeks apart, to allow your body to get rid of the dispersed pigment.

  • Tattoos/Not currently available

The principle of laser tattoo removal is basically the same as that of the removal of pigmented lesions, but the wavelength of the light beam needs to vary depending on the different ink pigments used in the tattoo. In general, homemade Indian ink tattoos and black tattoos respond most readily to laser removal. White tattoos do not usually respond to treatment. Red is relatively easy to remove, while yellow, orange and green are more difficult.

Skin that has been stained from nasal piercing or from iron injections also usually responds well to laser treatment.

  • Hair removal

Laser-assisted hair removal is both efficient and long term. It works best on thicker, darker hairs, as these hair follicles absorb more light than do smaller, paler hair follicles. Most people find that the amount of hair is reduced by 70 per cent or more after the course of treatment. Laser hair removal also avoids the possibility of ingrown hairs. Sweating changes are sometimes noticed in the treated area.

  • Signs of ageing

Laser resurfacing is used to help reverse the signs of ageing caused by sun damage. Signs of ageing include fine wrinkles and crinkly skin. Resurfacing is also useful in reducing the appearance of acne scars. Following treatment, your skin often takes several weeks to recover.

Laser resurfacing is a safer and more refined procedure than it used to be, but it is still not recommended for people with olive or pigmented skin because of the possibility of uneven skin tone or loss of colour from the skin after treatment.

  • Scars

Whether scars of previous surgery, acne or post burn scar, can all be minimised by laser resurfacing, CO2 fractionated laser is in particular useful for these conditions.

Who can be a good candidate for PDO Lift?

PDO procedures are safe for adults with mild to moderate skin laxity, who keep up with healthy lifestyles and have maintained their weight for at least three months.

Who can be a good candidate for Double chin Treatment ?

The best candidate is an adult 18 years or older with moderate to severe fat beneath the chin. You might not be a good candidate if you have had or are planning to have facial surgery, if you have trouble swallowing, are pregnant or nursing, or have an infection or medical condition in or near the planned injection site.