What Are the Treatments for Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

There are many reasons for dark circles under the eyes. Each of these causes can be fixed either by simple, at-home cures or by doctor intervention. There are also "cures" that are not cures at all. To sort out which you may want to pursue, you need to determine the cause of the circles and the cure that is best for it.

Basic Cause

The most common cause of dark circles is an unhealthy lifestyle. When the body is not healthy, pigments called hemoglobin will seep from the blood vessels under your skin. The pigment then oxidizes and attaches to the underside of the thin skin beneath your eyes, causing circles. Getting eight hours of sleep every night, eating a well balanced diet and avoiding caffeine and alcohol are all simple ways of getting rid of dark circles.

Allergies

Allergies can also cause under eye darkness. Congestion can cause the veins around the sinus area to malfunction, causing leakage. The simple fix to this cause is taking an over-the-counter decongestant and/or antihistamine. Consult your doctor before taking any medication.

Lasers

Some plastic surgeons use lasers on the skin to correct the discoloration from leaky blood vessels. Some doctors use lasers to penetrate the skin and repair damaged blood vessels. Other doctors use a CO2 laser in what is called a layer-by-layer vaporization of the upper layer of skin. The upper skin, essentially, is destroyed and a new layer of skin is uncovered. How long a laser treatment lasts depends on how well the body and the skin are taken care of.

Aging

There is another cause of dark circles that is not so easy to fix. When the eye has fat loss due to aging, a hollow appears beneath the eye. The hollow creates a shadow underneath the eye, making it appear dark. To correct hollows, a doctor specializing in cosmetic treatments can inject a hyaluronic acid filler called Restylane to plump up the tissue under the eye. This treatment lasts six to twelve months.

Creams

There are many creams on the market that claim to get rid of dark circles by the process of bleaching or adding vitamins to the skin. None of these products has been proven to work, and they are not recommended by most doctors who specialize in cosmetic procedures.

Resources

• More About Injections