There is nothing that will accelerate the appearance of aging faster than dark circles under the eyes. But what really causes those lower eyelid shadows. The cause of your dark circles may not be the cause of your friend’s dark circles. Let’s take a look a little closer at these nemeses.
How did I get these dark spots?
- Allergies produce inflammation around the eyes causing fluid to leak from fragile vessels under the eyelids. The chronic rubbing brought on by allergy sufferers reacting to itchy, watery eyes can lead to true skin color changes.
- Sun exposure increases pigment changes to the fragile skin.
- For some men and women it’s hereditary and has strong links to ethnicity are the cause.
- The normal maturing changes in facial anatomy add to this problem. The fatty layer located just above the cheek bone and below the eye in some may thin producing a sunken appearance. While others have this fatty layer protruding forward creating a bulge underneath the eyes. Light reflects off these hollows creating the illusion of shadowy circles.
- Veins in the area are an important factor in the development of dark circles. Factors may include heredity, and the natural aging process. The thinning of the fat pad and skin brings them closer to the surface increasing their visibility.
- Loosing the fight against gravity and the loss of skin elasticity causes those dreaded bags. Add any of the above problems to those bags and they get heavier and heavier.
Okay now how do I get rid of them?
- Eliminating dark circles begins with camouflage. Therapy options to improve dark circles don’t work overnight. Hiding them provides immediate gratification and restores radiance to the eye area. Yellow counter acts blue so this is the color of concealer to look for.
- Proper evaluation and medical treatment of allergies can improve the under eye hue and fluid collections. Avoidance of inflammatory agents, antihistamines and/or allergy shots not only will improve your appearance, but your overall health.
- Sunscreen provides potent protection. Photo-protection agents repair skin with antioxidants to reduce free radical damage. This is the source of photo-damage induced dark circles.
- Skin brightening/lightning is accomplished with careful prescription pharmaceutical agents.
- Treatment of venous concerns has traditionally been the domain of topical Vitamin K products.
- Antioxidant treatments help shrink bags. Reducing fluid build-up and bagginess beneath the eyes makes the face look fresher, more rested and youthful. Microdermabrasion and superficial chemical peals are excellent options for sun damaged and wrinkles of the lower eyelid. This is done in the office with no downtime.
- State of the art procedures by experienced facial plastic surgeons can remove excess fat pads without any incisions on the face. Fillers are used to fill up deficits. Resurfacing techniques instantly tighten excess skin.
What can I do now?
For those who need a quick fix lets go to the kitchen. Tea bags (the caffeinated ones) slightly boiled and cooled are place on the eyes. The tannic acid from the tea helps shrink dilated vessels minimizing their appearance. Cucumbers (seen placed on client’s eyes in spa advertisements) produces the same effect. The effects are temporary but they do improve dark circles caused by excess fluid.
Nothing is more noticeable than dark circles. They steal your beauty and alter your facial expression. Dark circles prematurely age the face, create a tired, haggard appearance and cast a deceptively disinterested expression. Don’t tolerate dark circles one minute more. Be careful of the agents you choose there is a difference between marketing and science. Ensure products are pharmaceutical grade vs. supplements added to products as an afterthought. Counteract them and reclaim the wide-eyed dazzling look you deserve.
Dr. Edward E. Dickerson, IV is the Medical Director of Cape Fear Aesthetics Medical Spa in Fayetteville. He is double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. For questions or future article requests please contact. laurap@capefearaesthetics.com or 910-323-3757.
