More often than not, dark circles are simply a part of aging.
What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?
Dark circles under the lower eyelids may appear due to genetics, allergies, or other reasons. Home remedies and medical treatments exist that may help reduce their appearance.
Dark circles under your eyes, also known as periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) , may appear as shades of brown, blue, black, or purple.
They can affect anyone but are typically more common in:
- older adults
- people with a genetic predisposition to this condition
- people with darker skin tones, who are more prone to hyperpigmentation around the eye area
Fatigue is generally believed to be the most common cause for having dark circles under the eyes. This may be controversial, and there are actually a number of reasons.
Read on to learn more about the possible causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for dark circles under the eyes.
Aging may be one of the most common reasons for having dark circles under your eyes.
As you get older, your skin tends to sag and become thinner. You might experience a decrease in the fat and collagen that helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. As this occurs, the dark blood vessels beneath your skin become more visible, causing the area below your eyes to darken.
Aging might also cause tear troughs to appear more hollow. This may give you the appearance of looking tired or older.
Oversleeping, or a lack of sleep, may cause your skin to become more dull and pale. As a result, the blood vessels and dark tissues beneath your skin might become more visible.
Sleep deprivation may also lead to a fluid buildup beneath your eyes, causing them to appear puffy. Dark circles may then actually be shadows cast by puffy eyelids.
Allergic reactions and dry eyes may trigger dark circles.
When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases histamines to fight off the invader. This may cause itchy, red, and puffy eyes. Scratching the itchy skin may cause inflammation, swelling, and broken blood vessels, leading to post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Certain ophthalmic solution drugs used to help treat glaucoma, such as latanoprost and bimatoprost, may cause POH.
These are most likely to develop between 3 and 6 months after starting bimatoprost treatment.
Sometimes, changes may be permanent, so it’s important to speak with a doctor if you notice any major discoloration.
Staring at a television or computer screen for long periods of time may strain your eyes. This strain could enlarge the blood vessels around your eyes, potentially causing dark circles.
Dehydration might attribute to POH developing. When your body isn’t well hydrated, the skin beneath your eyes begins to look dull and your eyes look sunken. This is due to how close your eyes are to the underlying bone.
Prolonged sun exposure or injury may cause dark circles to form under your eyes. This is known as post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Too much sun may produce excess melanin, which is the pigment that gives your skin color. Your body might then deposit this excess melanin beneath your eyes, resulting in hyperpigmentation.
A few studies suggest that genetics may contribute to the development of POH. One study from 2014 found a strong association between POH and family history for 63% of participants.
It can be an inherited trait seen early in childhood. Over time, the dark circles may lighten or get darker.
Anemia is when your levels of red blood cells are lower than normal. This could leave you feeling:
- dizzy
- weak
- light-headed
- short of breath
- tired
The 2014 study mentioned earlier found that 50% of participants with POH had anemia. But once their anemia was treated, many people reported that the dark circles beneath their eyes also disappeared.
If you have anemia, you may notice that your skin is paler than usual, and you might have dark circles under your eyes. Talk with a doctor about getting blood work done to check your iron levels.
A number of lifestyle factors, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, may also be connected with developing POH.
Dark circles under the eyes are very common. They’re typically no cause for alarm.
That said, if they’re getting darker, swelling, or bothering you, speak with a doctor or dermatologist. They may be able to help you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
To assess POH, a doctor will typically perform a few tests, which might include:
- physical and medical history examination
- an eyelid stretch test or slit lamp exam
- Wood’s lamp examination, which is commonly used to determine bacterial or fungal infections, skin pigmentation disorders, or corneal abrasions
- blood and liver function tests
The doctor will then use the assessment results to help classify your POH appearances and causes.
These might include:
- pigmented
- post-inflammatory
- vascular
- structural
- mixed-type
It’s important to note that scientific and clinical research on the causes of POH is still limited, especially when compared with how common dark circles are and how many people want treatment. In 2014, there were an estimated 65 cited articles on PubMed, compared with 150 million Google searches for treatment.
Certain treatments might help you get rid of dark circles. But, these are mainly for cosmetic reasons rather than medical.
At-home remedies
- apply a cold compress to the skin under your eyes for 20 minutes
- get adequate sleep
- stay hydrated by drinking more water and including more fruits and vegetables in your diet
- elevate your head with an extra pillow or rolled up blanket while sleeping
- place chilled, soaked black or green tea bags over your eyes for 10–20 minutes
- apply eye creams
- conceal dark circles with makeup
For a more permanent option, some medical treatments are available to help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
That said, it’s important to remember that dark circles aren’t something that have to be fixed. There’s nothing wrong with just leaving them be.
Some medical treatments used for reducing dark circles include:
- chemical peels to reduce pigmentation
- laser surgery to resurface the skin and enhance skin tightening
- medical tattoos to inject pigment into thinning skin areas
- tissue fillers to conceal blood vessels and melanin that cause skin discoloration beneath your eyes
- fat removal to remove excess fat and skin, revealing a smoother and more even surface
- surgical implants of fat or synthetic products
- carboxytherapy to increase blood flow to the area under the eyes
Before deciding on any cosmetic procedures, speak with a doctor. Invasive medical treatments can be expensive and painful and may require a long recovery.
How to get rid of dark circles under your eyes?
For some people, getting more sleep, staying hydrated, and reducing screen time may be helpful. Cold compresses or eye creams may help. There are also more permanent medical treatments for dark circles under your eyes.
Dark circles may come and go. How long they last could depend on many factors, such as:
- lifestyle factors
- genetics
- nutritional deficiencies
What causes dark circles under the eyes?
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Dark circles can be a sign of tiredness and a lack of sleep, but they can also result from allergies, thyroid conditions, older age, and other factors.
Dark circles under the eyes may look purple or blue to dark brown or black, depending on skin color.
These circles are rarely a cause for concern, but people may wish to reduce their appearance for cosmetic reasons.
In some cases, dark circles under the eyes can indicate a need for lifestyle changes, such as improvements to sleep habits or diet.
The area under the eyes can appear darker due to constricted blood vessels causing hyperpigmentation, or from thinning of the skin around the eyes.
All causes of dark circles under the eyes include:
- lack of sleep or poor sleeping habits
- allergies, including hay fever
- hyperpigmentation, which happens when the body produces more melanin
- reduced levels of fatty tissue around the eyes
- thinning skin under the eyes
- anemia from iron deficiency
- overexposure to sunlight
- frequent rubbing of the eyes
- aging
- smoking
- inherited genes
- thyroid conditions
- dehydration
- dermatitis
- eye drop treatment for glaucoma, such as bimatoprost
There are some risk factors for dark circles under the eyes, such as:
Older age: Loss of fatty tissue and thinning of the skin around the eyes are part of the aging process. These changes can make dark circles appear more defined in older adults. A tear trough is the hollow under the eyes, which can cause dark circles and is related to aging.
Nonwhite ethnicity: Dark circles are more common in people with darker skin tones, and they affect people of color more than white people. This risk factor is thought to be due to changes in pigmentation.
Genetics: Dark circles can be hereditary. Research has found that if someone has dark circles under their eyes, these also appear in some other family members.
Share on Pinterest Skin care products that contain antioxidants may help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
People may be able to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes with simple home remedies.
Although some of these remedies are not scientifically proven, they may be worth trying as many are inexpensive and produce no side effects.
More sleep
People can make sure they are getting enough quality sleep each night to help reduce or prevent dark circles. Raising the head up on extra pillows may help reduce dark circles and swelling around the eyes.
Cucumber
Applying cucumber slices to the eyes may soothe tired eyes and reduce swelling. The high water and vitamin C content of cucumber may help to nourish and moisturize the skin. Cucumber also contains silica , which is essential for healthy tissue.
Cold compress
Applying a cold compress to the eyes can constrict blood vessels and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Tea bags
Tea bags may help lessen dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. Caffeine has antioxidant properties and stimulates blood circulation around the eyes.
A person can boil two tea bags in water before letting them cool, then resting them on each eye. Putting boiled tea bags in the fridge first can add a cooling effect for the eyes. People can use black, green, or herbal tea bags.
Facials
Poor circulation around the eyes can cause the appearance of dark circles. Gentle massage around the eye area through a facial can help to improve circulation .
Antioxidant skincare products
Face creams and under-the-eye products that contain antioxidants may help to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Vitamins E and C are antioxidants that may help treat dark circles.
Makeup
Although makeup will not alter dark circles, people may want to use an under-the-eye concealer for cosmetic purposes.
If home remedies do not get rid of dark circles under the eyes, a person can see their doctor or dermatologist for advice on medical treatment.
Medical treatment options include:
Topical creams
Bleaching creams can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. These might include:
- hydroquinone
- tretinoin
- a combination of both
People may need to use hydroquinone for at least 3 months to see an effect.
Kojic acid
Anecdotal reports state kojic acid is effective in treating dark circles. Kojic acid is a natural product that comes from two species of fungi. However, it is important to know that side effects of kojic acid can include contact dermatitis and reddening of the skin.
Azelaic acid
People may use azelaic acid to treat hyperpigmentation under the eyes, and it is safe to use over long periods.
Topical vitamin C
A study looked at the effects of 10% vitamin C lotion in the treatment of dark circles, over 6 months. The lotion was effective in lightening darkness under the eyes.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels, using alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, can help to lighten hyperpigmentation under the eyes.
People may also use chemical peels in combination with topical creams for better effect.
Lasers
Laser therapy can be an effective treatment for dark circles. Less invasive laser procedures, such as pulsed dye or diode lasers, may lessen the risk of scarring or other potential side effects.
Fillers
If thinning of the skin or loss of fatty tissue is causing dark circles under the eyes, fillers may be a potential option. People can have injections of platelet rich plasma or hyaluronic acid gel into the area under the eye.
Surgery
A type of surgery called blepharoplasty can get rid of dark circles that are due to deposits of fat or extra skin around the eye area.
The area under the eye is extremely delicate, and people should always discuss possible side effects. They must also ensure that only a certified dermatologist carries out any medical procedures for this area.
If people are taking certain drugs, such as bimatoprost for glaucoma, dark circles will disappear after they stop using the medication.
Share on Pinterest Wearing UV protection sunglasses can help prevent dark circles forming under the eyes.
People can help prevent the appearance of dark circles by addressing lifestyle factors.
- Getting enough sleep and reduce stress: Researchers found that stress increased the appearance of dark circles, while rest and healthy lifestyle habits decreased discoloration.
- Protecting the eyes from the sun: Wearing UV protection sunglasses that cover around the eyes and wearing sunscreen around the eyes can help to prevent or reduce dark circles.
- Stopping smoking and reduce alcohol consumption: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can speed up the aging process of the body and may increase the risk of dark circles.
Dark circles can affect anyone of any age and ethnicity for a variety of reasons. Genetics, aging, and lifestyle factors all play a part in the development of dark circles. People may also find that allergies, nutrient deficiencies, or underlying health conditions can cause dark circles.
Home remedies can help to treat dark circles. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with quality sleep, balanced diet, and proper hydration may all help prevent dark circles.
If people have concerns about the appearance of dark circles, they can see their doctor or dermatologist for treatment options and to check for any underlying health conditions.
