What causes dark under eye circles?

Yesterday I was asked how can you treat dark eye circles?

There is no one answer to this question, as darkness of the skin in this area can be due to many different causes and is not as simple as getting a few extra hours of sleep in. Taking into consideration the complexity of why one may present with dark under eye cirlces you can see why it can often be a difficult concern to treat.

How do I get rid of dark circles

So having said that, lets look at some common causes of dark under eye circles and how we may address them:

1. Not enough sleep could be an issue but often not the cause if the darkness has been there for quite some time. More sleep, lots of fluids and a balanced diet will help here and in the short term concealer or an eye cream with reflective particles to lighten the area until it settles is beneficial.

2. Genetics, some people due to the melanin/pigment in their skin are prone to darkness under or around the eyes. This is commonly seen with the more olive skins and usually it will be a family trait. This is a difficult one to treat as it is the colour of your skin that is causing the dark appearance and concealer is probably going to help you the most out of any products on the market if it concerns you.
A good eye cream to help protect and keep this area hydrated and minimise fine lines will also benefit by improving the general appearance of this area and helping the concealer to blend nicely. Herbal Pigment Oil from DMK massaged daily in the skin has been of benefit for some with this concern as it addresses the issue of excess melanin pigment in this area.

3. Aging, as we age the delicate skin around the eye becomes thinner and the rich capillary network beneath the skin starts to show through, there is less collagen and elastin present resulting in the dark circles being more prominent. This usually has more of a blue haze compared to someone who is genetically predisposed to darker skin in the eye area where it will show through with more of a brown/black or even yellow/brown hue. To prevent this I recommend investing in a good eye product from your early 20’s to help slow the signs of ageing in this area, particularly one containing Vitamin C, Vitamin A or peptides which will help to stimulate and support the growth of new collagen and cellular renewal, improving the density of the skin tissue thus making the skin a little less translucent to the underlying blood capillaries.

Skin Needling/Collagen Induction Therapy may also help here as it helps to thicken the underlying structures of the skin where the capillaries lie making them less visible and helping to diminish the blue hue from superficial blood vessels. Other options can include RF Skin Tightening, Cosmetic Filler Injections and DMK Enzyme Therapy which will improve both circulation and lymphatics so is also beneficial for those concerned with puffiness in this area.

4. Constipation, yes sometimes constipation if chronic can lead to dark under eye circles. Again making sure your body is hydrated, eating lots of fruit and veg for the fiber to keep you regular and addressing any known causes for the constipation will in turn help the skin under the eyes return to normal with time. Massage to help the body eliminate toxins through other routes can also be of benefit as can dry body brushing. An eye product that contains ingredients beneficial for dark circles may aid slightly but addressing the cause will make the most change.

5. Allergies, a reaction that is sometimes referred to as “Allergy Shiners” appear as a bluish purple tinge due to the congestion in your sinuses leading to congestion in the delicate blood vessels that support the skin of the under eye area, creating dark circles and puffiness. Both environmental and food allergies can cause this type of reaction in certain individuals. Avoiding known allergens will help here significantly, but any treatment is best advised by your health care practitioner.

Do you suffer with dark circles? What has worked for you? Leave a comment here.

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