It happens to every person at least once in their lives – their eyes develop dark rings that make them look ill and tired all the time. These are patches of discoloured skin and can be caused by a variety of factors, the common ones being sleep deprivation and fatigue.
Why do I have dark circles?
Dark circles are literally darker rings around the eyes. They look like purplish patches under the eyes, and are often seen in older age groups. They may be accompanied by bags or pouching of the skin under the eyes. Dark circles are commonly attributed to stress, fatigue, illness or lack of sleep. However, there are other factors that can cause dark circles: aging that causes a thinning of the skin, use of certain antibiotics, direct exposure to sunlight, a localised ‘breaking’ of the capillaries in the undereye skin that leads to blood leakage and hence the bluish-purplish appearance, blunt force trauma, dehydration, or even genetic factors.
Those with a genetic disposition to dark circles (this is known as Periorbital hyperpigmentation) may find that the problem may not vanish with simple remedies. They may require dark circle treatment to keep the problem at bay.
What can I do to remove them?
Some simple home remedies may work in case the dark circles have been formed as a result of stress, lack of sleep, fatigue, illness, etc. These include:
- Undereye homemade packs: Mash ripe tomato, or potato, or banana, or papaya with milk, honey and a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply on the undereye area and wait for 20 minutes before wiping off with damp cotton. These masks hydrate and brighten the skin over a few weeks.
- Cold compress every morning: The cold compress reduces the pouches and decreases the size of dilated capillaries in the undereye area. Simply pack an ice cube in flannel and apply it on the affected area, or place a cooled teaspoon to cover the eye till the spoon returns to room temperature.
- Stimulate blood circulation: Tired undereye skin shows discolouration principally due to lack of hydration and nutrition. Correct this by applying cold and used tea bags on the skin – these supply a shot of antioxidants to the discoloured skin and reduce fluid retention that causes undereye bags. This process spurs blood circulation to the area, thus treating the problem over time.
- Use concealer: This is a last attempt at hiding the undereye circles. Concealers can mask the discolouration, but the product must be chosen carefully so that it does not aggravate the skin further.
Is there treatment I can take?
In case the problem does not respond to adequate rest or homemade remedies, it may be time to consult a medical professional to get rid of it permanently. You can consult a dermatologist for the right dark circle treatment in Dubai.
- The simplest dark circle treatment entails the use of special peels that are applied not just to the affected area but to the entire face. The product combines the benefits of salicylic, lactic and glycolic peels to clarify the skin around the eyes and also reduce the incidence of fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels have the added advantage of reducing excessive skin oiliness and staving off the effects of premature aging.
- Another dark circle treatment involves Mesotherapy – this injects a shot of nutrients into the affected skin so that it is spurred to repair and restore itself naturally. A tiny needle is used to inject vitamins, minerals, and mild pharmaceuticals into the skin, causing virtually no discomfort and creating brighter skin as a result.
- Doctors also recommend Carboxy therapy to correct the oxygen depletion in the affected skin. Tiny amounts of carbon dioxide are introduced into the skin, which forces the capillaries to open and prompt a rush of oxygen to the area. Over time, the dark circles are significantly reduced.
What should I do after the treatment?
Once you have undergone dark circle treatment, you will need to maintain the results with adequate hydration, a balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise. The healthier your skin, the lower the chances of dark circles appearing or recurring.