Eye of the Beholder: 3 Ways to Get Rid of Dark Circles

Dark circles can be caused by a number of things. No matter what causes your dark circles, if you want to get rid of them, we have a few common treatments explained below.

What Causes Dark Circles?

As we mentioned above, dark circles under your eyes can be caused by a number of different things. For some people, their skin is just more prone to hyperpigmentation and other skin markings like freckles. Do freckles go away? No, but dark circles can, even for someone who is more prone to hyperpigmentation.

One of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes, after genetic predisposition, is fatigue. Lack of sleep can cause dulling of the skin, which may reveal dark tissue and blood vessels. Age and eye strain are two other common causes of dark circles. Age naturally causes thinning of the skin, which means dark tissues are more visible. And if you stare at a screen for work all day, the strain may cause blood vessels around your eyes to enlarge and result in dark circles. Sun damage is one more factor you need to consider. Sun damaged skin can cause your body to overproduce melanin. Too much sun on your face can cause the skin under your eyes to darken. But how can you get rid of your dark circles now that you understand some of the ways they form? Let’s review.

Invest in Eye Protection

If you’re staring at a screen all day and straining your eyes, protection is key. Most screens emit blue light, which stimulates the brain and helps us stay awake. Unfortunately, it also places massive strain on your eyes. To remedy this and to protect the delicate skin around your eyes from damage and dark circles, blue light filtering glasses can help. It’s also worth exploring your computer or phone’s lighting settings. The less blue light you can expose your eyes to, the better.

Apply Cold Compresses

Cold compresses are great for reducing swelling and shrinking dilated blood vessels around your eyes. In turn, this helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Fortunately, this one is simple. Just dampen a washcloth with cold water or wrap a few ice cubes up in it and apply to the skin under your eyes. Make sure you don’t apply ice directly to the skin around your eyes. The extreme cold could cause a skin rash or mild irritation.

Have a Chemical Peel Performed

Chemical peels are excellent at helping reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. As a bonus, they can help reduce eye wrinkles too. Different levels of intensity means that your dermatologist can find a peel that’s perfectly suited to the results you want to achieve. But before you decide this is the under eye treatment you need, make sure you consult with your dermatologist. Since they’re familiar with your skin, they’ll be able to advise you as to whether or not this treatment will be effective.

If you have questions about what’s causing dark circles under your eyes and want to know how to treat them, set up your consultation with us today.