Dark Circles: Causes And Solutions For An Invigorated Look
Sometimes, it’s inevitable we have to burn the midnight oil to finish a project required for school or work. For most of us, getting the recommended eight hours of sleep is a luxury, and hence, it isn’t uncommon to see the presence of “panda eyes.”
Dark undereye circles can be identified by a large, round darkening of the skin around or under the eyes. Although not a medical concern, it can be aesthetically detrimental to both genders, especially for women. After all, from a society standpoint, it contributes to a tired, aged and even a dispirited appearance.
Despite how common this condition occurs, the reason why they form and develop remains unclear. Let’s take a look at what we know about dark circles and the possible treatment options at our aesthetic clinic.
Types of dark circles
While most of us would think there is only one type of “dark circles”, there are actually three types of dark under-eye circles.
Here are the three classifications of dark circles:
Pigmented dark circles: Appears as brownish pigments under the eyes. They are mainly caused by a condition that has been there since birth, such as allergies, which can increase the pigment and worsen its appearance. It can also be caused by improper habits such as a lack of sleep.
It’s more commonly found among Asians because they are more prone to produce melanin around the upper and lower eyelids. However, the appearance of pigmented dark circles can also occur due to bad habits of rubbing their eyes with excessive force.
Vascular dark circles: This appears when blood vessels become visible through the under-eye skin. They are usually defined by a discolouration that can appear blue, pink or purple, along with puffiness. If you have poor blood circulation or more transparent-looking skin since you were born, this may be the cause of those dark circles.
Because our nose and the skin around the eyes are connected, it can also be caused by allergic rhinitis. Those with allergic rhinitis are vulnerable to inflammatory substances in the blood vessels. Hence, the blood vessels in the deeper skin layer will dilate and have mild congestion, which leads to dark circles. Insomnia can also worsen vascular dark circles.
Structural dark circles: This type of dark circle has a shadowy hue over it, and is related to under-eye baggage and tear grooves. Because it depends on the eye socket’s anatomic structure, it can also appear as a lack of fat, which gives the face a bony prominence, making you look gaunt.
It can also be caused by the normal ageing process, where there is a loss of fat in the region, resulting in a deeper eye groove. This kind of dark circles can become worse should you experience weight loss.
Out of these dark circles, the most common types are vascular types and mixed types; where it’s usually a combination of pigmented and vascular types. Applying concealer is not the proper way to get rid of dark circles because you are just hiding it and not solving the root of the problem.
Instead, it is recommended to find out which type of dark circles you have because each of them is caused by different factors. Regardless of the type, if you find yourself on the hunt for a solution, look no further than The Clifford Clinic.
The Clifford Clinic approach to dark circles
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for dark circles, here are some of the more common treatments and how they work on dark circles:
Laser-based treatments
- Q-switch laser
For dark circles based on pigmented discolouration such as pigmented dark circles, the Q-switch laser will be your best bet. The Q-switch laser concentrates a beam of energy at the intended area, which is absorbed by the coloured pigments. Once absorbed, the coloured pigments will be broken down and naturally removed by the body.
- V-Beam laser
Since pulsed-dye lasers target the blood vessels and capillaries, it’s particularly effective against vascular dark circles. The laser works by delivering laser energy into the intended area without damaging the surrounding tissues.
The heat energy delivered by the laser works to break the congested blood vessels apart so that your body can remove them. This will result in a natural skin tone under the eyes.
- Fractional CO2 laser
The fractional CO2 laser delivers energy in small microthermal zones to create multiple microscopic thermal injury zones to remove old collagen and induce new collagen production.
The collagen that is produced then helps to generate new tissues and plump up the under eye area to give it a refreshed and healthier look!
Non-laser-based treatments
- Chemical peels
Chemical peels use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) such as glycolic acid to help get rid of the dead cell layer around the eyes. By peeling off the damaged outer layers, it improves the texture and tone of the skin to lighten any hyperpigmentation under the eyes while enhancing collagen production.
- Threadlift
Usually made of Polydioxanone (PDO), sterile threads are inserted using a blunt cannula for support and to stimulate the production of collagen.
This will then help lift the area below the eyes by filling in the areas lacking any fats and tightening the skin for younger-looking eyes.
- Tear trough filler
This treatment usually works best for structural dark circles. This is done by using hyaluronic acid-based fillers that will be injected into the ‘tear trough’ area under the eye.
Hyaluronic acid is a great substance for hydration which can help increase the volume around the area and stretch the skin so that the area does not appear sunken. By pumping up the area around the eyes, it also reduces the appearance of dark shadows.
Recover your lively look with The Clifford Clinic
Ultimately, the majority of patients often deal with a mixture of dark circles, which is why the best treatments utilise a combination approach.
Nevertheless, it’s best to consult an experienced aesthetic doctor for the ideal treatment plan, since each patient’s condition is unique. Moreover, some of the treatments such as the tear trough filler can be dangerous under the wrong hands, so it’s even more of a reason to do so.
If you are unsure which treatment you should get, it’s best to arrange an appointment with our doctors. Regardless of whether you are looking for the best acne treatment or a reliable hair transplant clinic, we aim to give a personalised plan for you to get the desired natural look in almost no time at all. Contact us for a consultation today!