Can You Prevent Dark Undereye Circles?

Apart from making you look tired or sleep-deprived, dark undereye circles can also betray your age. They are mostly accompanied by eye bags or puffiness, which can also make you look exhausted and much older than you are. Aging is the main cause of these concerns, but they can also appear regardless of your age.

If dark circles and related issues are a concern for you, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to prevent or get rid of them. Continue reading as we explore more about dark undereye circles and what you can do to help maintain the brightness under your eyes. 

What exactly are dark circles and what causes them?

Dark circles simply refer to the darkening or change in pigmentation of the lower eyelid. Discoloration under the eyes can appear when the tiny blood vessels weaken and burst. Below are some of the factors that can cause your undereye area to appear darker.

• Genetics
• Aging
• Sleeping patterns (insufficient or poor sleep quality)
• Fatigue 
• Allergies
• Dermatitis
• Rubbing your eyes
• Hyperpigmentation
• Lifestyle factors

There are also three types of dark circles, such as:

• Bluish or vascular dark circles – can also be pinkish or purplish in color. They are commonly due to poor microcirculation of the eye contour. Slow or weak circulation causes the blood pigments to gather and not flow or evacuate properly, leading to a bluish/purplish color under the eyes. 
• Brownish or pigmented dark circles – are also referred to as periorbital hyperpigmentation. Several factors can cause these including genetics, excessive pigmentation, acanthosis nigricans, skin laxity, and frictional damage. Rubbing the eyes due to general irritation or allergies can also contribute to brownish dark circles. 
• Indented dark circles – or sunken eyes could be due to aging, lack of sleep, or medical condition. Sunken eyes or tear trough hollows cast a dark shadow over the lower eyelid. They are more common with age and can be accompanied by fine lines and sagging skin. 

Ways to prevent dark undereye circles

Tweaking your lifestyle can make a difference, as well as investing in products that can take better care of your eye area. Here are a few things that can help.

Use cleansers/products suitable for the eye area

While eyeliners and mascaras can do wonders for your eyes, you should know that constant removal can also lead to harsh or excessive rubbing. This can damage the area and may even lead to pigmented or periorbital hyperpigmentation. This only makes it important to use products that are formulated for the delicate eye area.

Use an eye makeup remover and a cotton pad when removing eye makeup. Then, leave the soaked pad on the eyelids for a few minutes, allowing it to absorb or loosen any cosmetic product. Make sure not to rub or scrub; use gentle dabbing and circular movement while removing any residue.

Use an eye cream or serum 

A quality eye cream or serum can help improve signs of aging around the eyes including discoloration and puffiness. Dr. Sylvia’s Brilliant Eye Complex is a multitasking formula that can help wake up tired eyes. It can reduce the appearance of dark circles, eye bags, and crow’s feet, as well as hydrate for a younger-looking eye area.

Don’t rub your eyes

Treat your eyes gently and refrain from rubbing the area. It is also important to be mindful of times when you unconsciously do so like when you have allergies (hay fever), as well as persistent dryness and itchiness. Do take note that excessive rubbing may cause the tiny blood vessels to break, which may lead to discoloration or bloodshot eyes.

For further reading: 5 Reasons Why You Should Stop Rubbing Your Eyes

Engage in positive lifestyle habits

Many of your habits can affect the look of your skin. Adopting positive ones can reflect on your complexion and even help prevent the appearance (or worsening) of dark undereye circles. 

• Get adequate sleep – Aim to get at least seven hours of sleep at night. If you have sleeping issues such as insomnia or sleep apnea, consult your physician for treatment or remedy. Inadequate or poor sleep quality will not only contribute to dark circles and puffy eyes, but also affect your energy levels and concentration. 
• Take breaks to rest your eyes – Working or sitting in front of a screen for hours can lead to eye fatigue and dry eyes. It can negatively affect your sleep if you use devices before bed. It is ideal to take breaks and refrain from using your gadgets an hour before your bedtime. 
• Use a warm compress – Doing so can help soothe dry eyes and prevent dark under eye circles. It provides moisture and heat, as well relieves pain and swelling and helps you produce tears. All you must do is place a warm washcloth on your closed eyes for five to 10 minutes. Lie back and cover your eyelids with the warm cloth. 
• Protect your skin from the sun – Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen and choose a formula that is suitable for the eye area. And if you’re spending time in the sun, wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB light. Choose wraparound glasses and make sure they are a good fit. 

Consider aesthetic treatments – If you’re concerned about dark circles and other signs of aging around the eyes, don’t hesitate to consider some aesthetic treatments. Here are some procedures worth considering: 

• Dermal fillers – hyaluronic acid fillers can be used to fill in the hollowed space under the eyes. These can improve dark circles and the appearance of sunken eyes, as well as add volume and smooth the area.
• Botulinum toxin – this can temporarily smooth wrinkles around the eyes, in the forehead, and between the brows. It relaxes the muscles responsible for those creases, which then gives you a refreshed appearance.
• Microneedling with Exosomes – uses Dermapen 4 microneedling with exosome serum (EXO SKIN™ EXOSOMES). Microneedling creates micro-fine channels into which the serum soaks, accelerating the restorative process. This can improve the look of lines and wrinkles, as well as your skin tone and texture.
• VI Peel – is a chemical peel that is safe to use on the skin under the eyes. VI Peel can help stimulate collagen growth, as well as reduce dark spots and dark circles, and improve the appearance of crow’s feet. 

For further reading: 5 Ways to Reduce Signs of Aging Around the Eyes

Don’t let dark circles linger and make you look older than you are. Take better care of your eye area and don’t hesitate to consider aesthetic treatments that can improve visible signs of aging around the eye. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore and schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors.