Dark Circles Under the Eyes: Causes, Measures and Treatment Options
Dark circles under the eyes appear as darker rings around the lower eyelids and can give the face a tired look. Most of the time they do not indicate a health problem; however, because their cause differs from person to person, the approach that works also differs. This article explains the causes of dark circles, daily measures, treatment options and situations in which a doctor should be consulted.
What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes?
- Increased skin pigmentation under the eyes; it is more common in people with darker skin and may run in families
- Blood vessels showing through thin skin
- Volume loss and hollowing under the eyes with age; the resulting shadow can look like dark circles
- Allergies, eczema and frequent eye rubbing
- Lack of sleep, tiredness and smoking
In most people, more than one cause is present at the same time. The doctor determines the cause of the dark circles through an examination.
Daily Measures
Regular sleep, treating allergies, not rubbing the eyes, stopping smoking and using sunscreen and sunglasses around the eyes may help make dark circles less visible. Cold compresses may relieve temporary puffiness. Concealer and colour-correcting make-up are a practical way to hide dark circles temporarily. Irritating substances such as lemon juice should not be applied around the eyes.
Treatment Options
- For pigmentation: lightening creams recommended by the doctor, light chemical peels and some laser treatments
- For volume loss and hollowing: a suitable under-eye filler or fat injection
- For marked under-eye bags and excess skin: lower eyelid surgery
Because the skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, these treatments should be performed by a doctor experienced in the eye area. Lightening products and lasers can cause irritation or colour changes; under-eye fillers may cause bruising, swelling, irregularity and, rarely, serious complications due to blockage of a blood vessel. Results vary from person to person, and dark circles do not always disappear completely. For more information, see our under-eye filler and eyelid surgery pages.
When Should a Doctor Be Consulted?
If the discolouration is on one side only and new, appeared after a blow to the eye area, or is accompanied by symptoms such as blurred or double vision, eye pain and redness, severe headache, or bleeding from the ear or nose, emergency care should be sought without delay. Dark circles that occur with other complaints such as easy bruising, fatigue, paleness or swelling should also be assessed by a doctor.
Author: Op. Dr. Yücel Sarıaltın