Dark circles are often associated with long hours at work or staying up too late at night. While this can be true, there are other common causes of dark blemishes not related to your sleep schedule. 

By understanding what causes dark eye circles, you can take the necessary steps to reduce or even eliminate this common issue. 

Causes of Dark Eye Circles

• Genetics

In some instances, your dark eye circles are not caused by anything you did or didn’t do. In fact, your family may be to blame for your skin ailment. Dark eye circles are a common hereditary condition that can run in families. 

• Aging

Although dark eye circles can appear in childhood, they tend to become more apparent as you age. If you have a predisposition to certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, you may also be at a higher risk of developing dark eye circles.

Natural aging is also a common cause of dark circles under the eyes. As you age, the skin around the eyes begins to thin and lose elasticity. As fat in these areas diminish, the dark blood vessels underneath become more visible. The result is darkness around the eyes. 

• Eye Strain

Excess strain on the eyes can also contribute to dark circles. If you spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen or television, it can put a strain on your eyes that cause the blood vessels in these areas to enlarge. As a result, the eyes can darken.

• Allergies

If you suffer from allergies, you may develop dark circles more often than someone who does not have allergic reactions. During an allergic reaction, the body releases histamines which lead to symptoms like redness, itchiness, and puffy eyes. 

These histamines can also cause the blood vessels around the eyes to dilate and become more visible. If you suffer from frequent allergies, you may touch or scratch your eyes which can cause swelling and inflammation.

• Makeup

If you are not able to determine a direct cause of your dark eye circles based on your health alone, consider what you put your face. Certain types of makeup can be irritating to the delicate eye area. 

From concealers and eyeshadows to mascara and eye pencils, ingredients found in certain cosmetics can cause allergic reactions that can lead to dark eye circles. If you believe your makeup may be contributing to your dark eye circles, go “au natural” (bare or no makeup) for a few days to see if it makes a difference.

Ways to Lighten Dark Eye Circles

Using the right eye cream in combination with a healthy lifestyle mentioned above can make a big difference in the overall look and health of the skin around your eyes. 

• Use the Right Eye Cream

Formulated with Persian Silk Extract, Elastifirm Eye Repair by Dr. Sylvia Skin Care can help tighten the skin and reduce puffiness under the eyes. Elastifirm Eye Repair is also formulated with Darutoside, an active ingredient from a plant called St. Paul’s Wort that has been found to reduce pigment accumulation, fading dark circles over time. 

• Consider Non-surgical Aesthetic Procedures

For a more effective way to reduce dark eye circles, consider safe and proven aesthetic treatments that does not involve surgery or recovery time.

Injectables such as dermal fillers are used to “fill in” volume loss under the eyes giving you a well-rested and refreshed look. You will see the effect immediately after the procedure but the full results will be visible after two weeks.

Laser procedures such as FDA-cleared Pearl Laser Resurfacing can safely reduce dark circles caused by pigmentation and also remove fine lines and improve skin texture. It works by removing the top layer of the skin allowing it to scab and peel off after seven days. Once the skin has fully healed, you will notice your dark circles reduced and your skin texture and tone improved giving you a “pearly” glow.

Another safe laser treatment is Laser Genesis, a FDA-cleared procedure that tightens the undereye area and builds collagen. This treatment has no downtime where you can go to a social event right after the treatment. Normally, you would need at least five treatments to see good results of Laser Genesis. 

Don’t let dark eye circles bother you again. Use the right skin care and combine it with a healthy lifestyle. You may also consider safe and effective aesthetic procedure to improve your eyes giving you a refreshed and youthful look.

To find out more about the procedures mentioned, contact Cutis Laser Clinics and schedule a consultation with Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor, to determine which treatment is suitable for you.