Dark eye circles are quite common, more than you can imagine. And no, they do not appear only in women, men too get their dose. Dark eye circles have the uncanny tendency to make one appear more tired, and older than they already are not to mention the number of concealers we use just to hide them. The big question now is, are you tired of looking tired? If the answer is yes, then I have a solution for you. I had a short/long chat with Dr. Luis M. Ayala, a Plastic Surgeon in Dubai, who shared the most common causes of dark eye circles, as well as the recommended treatments to help you banish them for good.

But before we go ahead with the common causes of dark eye circles, according to Dr. Luis, most people are unaware of what is causing their panda eyes. For you to treat them effectively, you have to know what is causing them. This is because when it comes to treating dark circles, the doctor or dermatologist has to know the cause so that he/she can know what to do to get you the best possible results… and it’s always best to treat the cause and not the symptom (if you can).

Common Causes of Dark Eye Circles

Sun Exposure

Over-exposure to the sun without wearing sunscreen is one of the most common causes of dark eye circles so far in addition to skin hyperpigmentation. This is because exposing yourself to UV rays stimulates melanin, which then leads to the discoloration of the skin under the eyes, which is thinner than the other parts of the face.

Lack of Sleep and Tiredness

Lack of sleep and being overly tired can most likely make the skin pale. And if it’s pale, then your dark circles will appear more prominently. But this means that you already had the dark circles in the first place.

Aging

As we age, the collagen and elastin within the skin weakens and this thins out the skin under the eyes, in addition to losing its subcutaneous fat. The thin skin then starts to sag and as a result, if not treated in good time, the hollowness ends up casting a dark shadow underneath, which is seen as a dark circle.

Genetics

Your genetics can also be a deciding factor in the appearance of dark eye circles. If you are genetically predisposed by one or both of your parents having dark circles under the eyes, then do not be overly surprised if you develop them. This usually happens when you lose subcutaneous fat prematurely from under the eyes and as a result a hollow grove forms below your lower eyelid, which appears pigmented.

Pollen Allergies

During the pollen season, as we are in at the moment, you will find yourself susceptible to minor or major pollen allergies. One of the symptoms is extreme eye-rubbing which triggers the inflammation of blood vessels under the skin hence the skin discoloration around the eyes. This is also one of the leading common causes of dark eye circles.

Cosmetic Treatments for Dark Eye Circles

Fractional Laser: Fractional laser corrects imperfections in the skin. It works by stimulating the growth of new and healthy skin through collagen regeneration under your eyes. The results show a reduction in pigmentation, which means you might need more than one session.

Dermal Fillers: Since the most common causes of dark eye circles are related to volume loss, the numero uno treatment is dermal fillers like Juvederm, which treat the orbital hollowing by filling it up to give it volume.

Lower Blepharoplasty: Dark circles due to aging or genetics can be treated with this procedure which removes excess skin and fat (in the case of puffy eyes) from the area. It is also one of the most popular procedures and is done under local anesthesia.

Chemical Skin Peels: Chemical skin peels like glycolic peel usually help in reducing the appearance of dark circles by targeting those which are as a result of hyperpigmentation like melasma and sun-exposure. They work by removing the dead and dull layers of the skin, leaving a brighter and glowing skin.

Mesotherapy: If the dark circles under your eyes are as a result of puffiness or sagging, then Mesotherapy is the treatment for you. Active ingredients like vitamins and minerals are introduced into the skin to help improve blood circulation hence rejuvenating and repairing the target area. After a couple of sessions, the eyes look younger, brighter and fresher.

About the Author

Esther Lackie is in love with all forms of beauty and then some, and likes mixing things up a bit because normal is boring. And when she’s not writing or editing content for Finding Beauty ME, she’s most likely looking for a new skin treatment to try or chilling with a glass of white. Instagram | Facebook