Have you ever woken up from a great night of shut eye, only to find a pair of pesky dark under eye circles staring back at you in the mirror?
You’re not the only one.
For many of us, treating under eye bags is a frustrating process that becomes more problematic as we age. The good news? With a little help from a trained clinician and some easy to implement at-home treatments, you can banish the bags and wake up looking fresh as a daisy, every day.
What are dark eye circles?
Simply put, dark eye circles are caused by a buildup of blood vessels that can be seen under the delicate skin below our eyes. Because deoxygenated blood turns blue as it passes close to the skin, it gives a distinctive bluish tint to the area, known as the under eye circle.
What causes dark circles under the eyes?
Working out the root of your dark circles can be tricky, as there are numerous causes which could be working alone or in combination to contribute to the issue. No matter what the cause, sleep deprivation is always going to exacerbate the issue as fluid builds up and pools in our superficial blood veins when we’re tired, making dark circles even darker.
Eye strain
Ahh, the joy of sitting in front of a computer all day. We’ve heard about the numerous negative effects constant screen time has on our posture, spine and overall fitness levels but what’s less known is that staring at a laptop from 9-5 results in significant strain on our eyes, causing blood vessels to enlarge and the skin around our eyes to darken, causing that shadow effect we so want to avoid.
Genetics
As in all things, genetics plays a huge role in whether or not we are predisposed to under eye circles. If there is a family history or you belong to a certain ethnic group, eye bags are probably written into your stars. Luckily, as technology advances, so too do the remedies that can help relieve symptoms and avoid your genetic fate.
Sun overexposure
There really is nothing healthy about a tan after all. Not only does excessive sun exposure lead to premature aging and fine lines, we now know it causes dark circles to appear under the eyes as well. How? The sensitive skin around our eyes creates more pigment than it’s surrounds as melanin content increases.
Allergies
Allergic reactions release histamine into our system which causes blood vessels around our sinuses to dilate. Because this allows more blood to flow through them, the visibility of dark circles increases.
Ageing
As we age, the skin around our eyes continues to lose collagen and elastin. This is how we end up with wrinkles and sagging skin and jowls. As the highly elastic proteins in our connective tissue break down, the blood vessels under our eyes stand out more, giving us the appearance of dark under eye circles.
You may also be wondering, do dark circles get worse with age? Unfortunately, yes. Without intervention, those of us living with dark circles will most likely see the issue worsen as we get older.
At home treatments to get rid of dark circles
Tea bags, cucumbers and cold presses
For milder cases of under eye circles, applying a cold green or black tea bag to the area can reduce fluid retention under the eye. The caffeine works to reduce puffiness and helps create a bright, fresh look. Even cucumbers and cold presses can be effective in reducing the itchy and dry feeling, but they won’t reduce puffiness and will have minimal impact on dark shadows.
Improved sleep health
Failing to give the sensitive skin around our eyes a chance to rest and rejuvenate each night leads to an inflammatory response which often shows up in the eyes. It might be easier said than done, but reaching an optimal level of sleep each night, sleeping on your back instead of your stomach and keeping your head elevated can all help alleviate the severity of your dark under eye circles and even minimise the development of crows feet!
Professional treatments for dark circles
Unfortunately, popping a couple of cucumbers over your lids won’t cut it for many of us who suffer from perpetual dark circles. In fact, the most effective and lasting treatment for dark eye circles is to see a highly trained professional clinician who can assess your unique skin type and recommend an in-office medical treatment. The best part? Most treatments are non-invasive, quick and affordable!
Laser rejuvenation
Whilst we classically know laser rejuvenation and skin resurfacing as an answer to premature aging, wrinkles and scarred skin, this treatment will also help to eliminate dark circles under the eyes. The process is simple. A laser beam is passed over the surface of the skin, gently lightening dark skin tones and inducing new collagen. The best part? It’s usually a one time procedure. Not only will your skin tone improve, the downtime is minimal, so you don’t even need to schedule time off work. The team at Clinica Lase are experts in laser rejuvenation and can help find the right treatment to fit your unique needs.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels remove the dead and unhealthy cells in your skin, allowing for fresh, new, healthy skin to come to the surface. This helps to stimulate new skin growth and improve collagen production.
After your skin heals, the new skin around the eyes is less likely to form bags as it is stronger and thicker, resulting in a clear and healthy look. The professional clinicians at Clinica Lase can advise you on our range of chemical skin peels, from the superficial through to deep treatments.
Fillers
For some of us, dark shadows under the eyes can be caused by a lack of volume. To restore this volume, a simple dermal filler can be applied to the tear troughs to plump out the area, softening the appearance of under eye circles.
As an added bonus, restoring volume under the eye can help to soften other facial creases resulting in a more youthful overall appearance.
Blepharoplasty
If the above non-invasive treatments aren’t successful in treating your dark circles, you could look into eyelid surgery, known as blepharoplasty. The surgeon removes excess fat from inside the lower lid and then rejoins the skin with small stitches which dissolve with time. As with all invasive surgeries, blepharoplasty should only be considered as a last resort.
Getting Rid of Dark Circles at Clinica Lase
We’re lucky to live in a time where there are so many great options for dealing with unwanted dark circles. And the benefits don’t have to end when you leave the Clinica Lase office.
After a thorough consultation to decide on your treatment plan, your clinician at Clinica Lase can advise you on the right supplements and aftercare products to maintain your bright, sparkling eyes long after your procedure is complete.
If you are interested in addressing the unwanted dark circles under your eyes, reach out for a friendly chat with Clinica Lase today to find out more.