Dark circles can be tough to eliminate. It actually-depends on why you have them as to how you go about treating them. In many cases, dark circles are caused by not drinking enough water, drinking excessive alcohol and sleep deprivation. These factors can all lead to your skin becoming pale and sallow, allowing for the darker tissues and blood vessels under your eyes to become more visible. Lack of sleep can also cause fluid to accumulate under your eyes, making them appear puffy. This puffiness can give the illusion of dark circles.
Health conditions such as lymphatic drainage issues, allergies, anaemia, asthma and eczema can also cause dark circles, as well as any condition that causes the eyes to itch, as rubbing or scratching the skin around them can weaken the surface and bruise the tissues underneath. Any medications that cause the blood vessels to dilate can cause the skin under the eyes to appear darker as well as periorbital hyperpigmentation caused by changing hormones. Age can also be a cause of dark circles as the skin around the eyes becomes thinner and less robust.
At Skin Perfection, I get asked a lot about dark circles under the eyes and the best way to treat them. Here are a few suggestions, relevant to the causes –
Dark circles caused by fatigue
The one answer to this is to get more rest! Sleep deprivation can harm the body in so many ways; dark circles are just the tip of the iceberg. Making sure you’re getting a good 8 hours a night will help your entire body heal itself, your immune system gets stronger, and your overall skin health improve.
Dark circles caused by dehydration
Too much alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate the body and this will show under your eyes. Moderate alcohol consumption, as well as caffeine, is fine, providing you’re getting 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. Remember, water doesn’t have to be drunk on its own to count! I recommend the strong coffees for decaf or herbal teas, squash or fresh juices which are low in sugar will all go towards your water intake and a healthier, more youthful skin appearance.
I recommend good skin care…
A good skin care regime can work wonders for your overall skin appearance and can really improve the look of dark circles. If your eyes are puffy underneath, a product containing caffeine, vitamin E or vitamin K as well as cold compresses such as cucumber or cold tea bags can reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles.
We offer a range of products here at Skin perfection to combat the appearance of puffiness around the eyes which can cause dark circles, and I’m happy to talk you through your options
In-clinic treatments for dark circles
At Skin Perfection, we offer a range of clinically-proven treatments for the reduction of dark circles as well as tired-looking eyes. These treatments should only be undertaken when you have had your dark circles diagnosed and have been approved for a specific procedure.
- Wrinkle relaxing injections – by ‘relaxing’ the lines and wrinkles around the eyes, wrinkle relaxing injections (Botox) can lift the under-eye area, producing a skin tightening effect and reducing the appearance of dark circles caused by loose skin.
- Dermal fillers – these injectable treatments help to restore volume, fill lines and plump out hollows, reducing the appearance of under-eye bags and dark circles.
- Medical Microneedling – this treatment utilises special devices such as Dermafrac or Dermaroller to create a series of tiny pinpricks into the skin. This encourages the skin to produce a healing response, encouraging collagen and elastin production. This makes the skin more resilient and thicker around the eye area, disguising dark circles and leaving a more youthful appearance.
Visit the skin experts to treat dark circles
At Skin Perfection, we can conduct a no-obligation consultation to ensure we get to the bottom of the cause of your dark circles and then can tailor-make a bespoke treatment plan for the best results. We can also offer you expert advice on how to maintain your results at home and to make those subtle changes in lifestyle that can make a huge difference to your appearance and wellbeing.
Contact us today to find out more, or to book a consultation with us at our central London clinic.
