The 101 on dark circles

The 101 on dark circles

Dark circles are a common beauty concern that can affect anyone of any gender, age, and ethnicity for a variety of reasons.

The skin around the eyes is significantly thinner and more delicate than any other area of the body. This is why superficial blood vessels and pigmentation can show through the translucent skin more easily, contributing to the appearance of dark shadows. 

There can be many contributing factors to dark undereye circles including:

• Genetics – Family history can be one of the reasons for your dark circles. This trait can be seen in early childhood or it can develop with age.
• Lack of sleep. This is one of the most common causes of dark circles around the eyes. Fatigue can cause your skin to become dull and pale, allowing dark tissues and blood vessels beneath your skin to show. Lack of sleep can also cause fluid to build underneath the eyes – giving them a puffy appearance. 
• Age. As you get older, your skin becomes thinner and more translucent, resulting in the appearance of superficial blood vessels below the eyes. 
• Vitamin deficiency. In the absence of B12, myelin production is disrupted and this impacts the nervous system. 
• Allergies. Allergies increase the urge to rub and scratch your eyes. This can cause inflammation which results in bags underneath your eyes. 
• Lifestyle factors. Smoking, excess caffeine consumption, alcohol, dietary deficiencies, dehydration, sleep deprivation, and stress can also contribute to dark circles, puffiness, and shadows under the eye area.
• Sun damage can also enhance the pigmentation surrounding the eyes. 

If you have concerns about the appearance of dark circles, we recommend speaking to your doctor to see if you have any underlying health conditions that may be causing this condition. 

Treatments of dark circles include:

• Chemical Peels. These peels can help reduce and lighten the pigmentation around the eyes.  Commonly these will include glycolic acid, retinoic acid, or hydroquinone. 
• Tear Trough Filler. A hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler can be injected into the tissue under the eye.
• BBL – Broadband Light Therapy can help reduce hyperpigmentation and darkened blood vessels under the eyes.
• Laser treatments can be used to resurface the skin and enhance skin tightening around the eyes. Along with lightening darker skin tones, laser therapy may induce new collagen formation.
• Vivace Radiofrequency Microneedling. RF Mirconeedling can increase collagen production, improve the appearance of pigmentation, improve fine lines and wrinkles, help with overall skin rejuvenation and tightening.

Dark Circles can be treated in a number of different ways, and treatments will differ depending on the cause and severity of the concern. We always recommend having a consultation to see what treatment pathway is right for you.

Call us on 6336 7250 or book online here if you’d like to discuss your skin concerns with our team.