Causes and Treatments for Dark Circles Under Eyes

Dark circles under the eye can be caused by a variety of things from lack of sleep to allergies. The three main causes are loss of skin volume, naturally thin skin around the

Weak circulation in the blood vessels under the thin skin of the under eye area. Products were created to help reduce the blood flow to the veins under the eye and reducing the bluish tint under the skin. The key ingredient in these creams was vitamin K. Studies have shown vitamin k formulas to improve some people with dark circles but you need to use a high quality product. Vitamin K is unstable and can lose its effectiveness when not stores properly.

Some excellent vitamin K creams for dark circles under eyes are:

Some good collagen builders are:

Skin Lighteners for hyperpigmentation:

If you dark circles are caused by dark skin pigmentation, there are some skin lightening agents that contain a skin bleaching agents, usually hydroquinone to lighten the skin pigmentation and reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Hydroquinone should be used in concentrations less than 4% because of the potential irritation and excess pigmentation problems – particularly in African skin. These work for some but others have sensitivity or more serious allergic reaction to hydroquinone. There are skin lightening creams that do not contain hydroquinone if you find you cannot tolerate it.

Be sure not to use hydroquinone with benzoyl peroxide or other peroxide products bcausee theis can result in a temporary dark staining of the skin.

Home Remedies for dark circles under eyes:

Cucumbers not very effective but potato slices may actually by better. They contain a natural skin lightener and alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant for the skin.

Chemical Peels: Thin skin can be improved with eye creams containing low concentrations of glycolic acid or retinol that builds collagen and thickens skin.

Lasers and IPL:If you have serious dark circles or excessive veins under your eyes, there are some laser procedures you can try. These will be considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance; therefore may be expesnsive.

Since you are dealing with your eyes, be sure to go to an experienced board certified doctor for laser eye treatments. Some laser used to treat dark circles under the eye are: Fraxel®, Thermage®, Blue Light Therapy, IPL Photofacial.

Surgical intervention:Some people find as they age, the volume decreases in the undereye area as collagen and elasticity is lost and the area begins to sink. This sinking creates shadows that appear as undereye circles. The best way to deal with these circles is to fill in the volume.

While skin building eye creams can help, the best results are achieved with temporary fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm. These last only 6 months to a year and will have to be redone, but the results are instant. Be sure to go to a reputatble doctor experienced in fillers for safe, effective results.

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