UNDER EYE PIGMENTATION
Updated: Mar 26, 2022
Damn those dark circles! They are evident, annoyingly persistent, difficult to conceal and most of the times we can't trace the exact reason behind them.
Eye blemishes or dark circles is a very commonly encountered condition by both men and women, and occasionally in children. Scientifically named as Periorbital Hyperpigmentation, eye blemish is a common skin condition that occurs as bilateral round or semicircular brown or dark brown pigmented spots under lower eyelids and can affect people of all age groups.
Read on to find out what are the causes of dark circles and what you can do about them.
WHAT CAUSES DARK CIRCLES UNDER YOUR EYES?
The ongoing pandemic has forced a lot of people into a dark period with glooming uncertainty, increased anxiety, little to no sleep nights and busy schedules. Though stress and fatigue can deteriorate the appearance of your skin and increase the tendency to develop dark circles, they may not necessarily be just a sign of tiredness.
The under-eye dark circles can be broadly attributed to 3 different components: anatomical, vascular and pigmentary.
1) Anatomical component of dark circles is basically a hollow orbit or the eye socket which doesn't reflect the light properly leading to an apparent dark circles. It can be more commonly seen in people with less face fat or those with history of sudden weight loss.
2) Vascular component of dark circles is basically due to hemosiderin deposits, a derivative of blood cell pigment, hemoglobin. Since the skin under our eyes is thin, and adorned with multiple superficial tiny blood capillaries, minor trauma due to rubbing/ friction etc leads to leakage of blood from blood vessels. Fortunately, dark circles due to hemosiderin is a rare occurrence.
3) Pigmentary component of dark circles is basically due to excess pigmentation around the eyelid area. Applying too much pressure on the lower eyelid can spread the pigmentation which gives it a darker appearance. Melanin pigmentation can occur due to genetic or environment factors. Excessive sun exposure or repeatedly rubbing your eyes due to itchiness can lead to allergic skin reactions which increases the pigmentation resulting in brown or grey-brown appearance.
HOW TO MANAGE DARK CIRCLES?
It's very important to determine the cause first as the treatment approach can vary depending on what's exactly causing your dark circles. From skincare creams, under-eye fillers to laser and surgery, several treatment options are available to address your dark circles.
FILLERS : Under eye fillers is a promising in-clinic procedure to replace the loss in volume and fill out the under-eye hollows which will help in reducing the appearance of dark circles. Dermal fillers are good for improving under-eye bags and vascular dark circles.
SUNSCREEN : Make sunscreen your best friend! As studies say, hyperpigmentation can be improved with sunscreen alone. Wear sunscreen, hats and sun protection to avoid pigmentation due to excessive sun exposure. Best to choose chemical-free sunscreens as these can cause eye irritations.
CREAMS : Topical creams consisting of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Hydroquinone helps in reducing dark circles. Hydroquinone is the most common bleaching agent which helps in reducing melanin content of the skin. Vitamin A & Vitamin C boosts the collagen production and brightens the pigmentation areas.
CHEMICAL PEELS : Chemical peels can be used alone or in combination with other topical bleaching agents like glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and Vitamin A. Take extreme care while using chemical peels in the lower eyelid area.
LASERS :. Vascular dark circles can be treated using non-invasive lasers that reduces pigmentation. Skin laxity and tear trough deformity are age-related changes that can be treated with lasers like CO2 laser, Nd: YAG laser at 1064 nm, ND Yag (1064 laser), Q switched ruby (694-nm), or alexandrite (755-nm) lasers.
SURGERY : Surgical Blepharoplasty can be used to get rid of dark circles caused by under-eye bags that are cast by fat deposits or excess skin.
Dark circles are a very commonly encountered condition and can be managed with the right treatments, medications and improving life style choices. If you would like to know more about treating dark circles, get in touch with us at +91 8618117511/ +91 9901864404 or email us on contact@aiconicskin.com