Dark circles are a common condition experienced by most people. This condition usually involves the appearance of a darkened circle under the eyes. Being such a common occurrence, there are numerous theories explaining their occurrence and appearance, some of which are true and some of which aren’t. According to a dermatologist in New York City, Charlotte Clark, getting a full night sleep may help diminish the appearance of dark circles but not erase them completely. To be able to get rid of them completely, it is first important to consider their origin.
Causes of Dark Circles
Genetics is one of the most common sources. People who have inherited fair and thin skin under the eyes are more susceptible to dark circles. This is because in their case, it is more obvious when blood polls gather under the eyes. Such conditions are usually due to lack of sufficient sleep which results in slower blood circulation. The accumulation of blood causes the fragile capillaries to stretch and even in some cases leak.
Seasonal allergies can be to blame for a lot of people. Allergies trigger the release of histamines by the body which then go on to inflame blood vessels and cause swelling.
Age is another common factor. The human skin loses collagen over time causing it to thin. This causes the veins to show through more prominently with sunbathing being known to speed up this process. This is because it breaks down collagen and mottles the skin color.
It is also important to note the following method of dark circles diagnosis. To know why you have dark circles, you can gently stretch out the skin beneath your eyes. If the area gets darker, then most probably the cause of your dark circle is aging or genetics. However if there is no color change observed, the cause is most probably UV rays or allergies.
Treatment of Dark Circles
Treatment of dark circle is usually dependent on the causative factor.
1. Dark Circles Due To Vascular Issues. For such cases, a common solution is using more pillows when sleeping to prevent blood from building up under your eyes. Moreover, after waking up, it is advised that you apply a cold compress for 5 minutes. This helps to constrict the blood vessels.
You can apply eye cream on the area to help constrict the vessels. Recommended eye creams should have anti-inflammatory properties and ingredients such as caffeine, green tea or grape seed oil. Your diet can also be used to accompany treatment. An ounce of flavonol-rich dark chocolate daily and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and walnuts may improve blood flow.
2. Dark Circles due to Allergies. This can be treated using over-the-counter antihistamines.
3. Dark Circles Due to Skin Conditions. This require the use of a collagen-building cream like retinol which increase collagen production. Another great ingredient is vitamin C as it helps brighten the skin tone.