They say the eyes reveal a lot about a person. What are your eyes saying about you? If you’ve got dark circles under your eyes, they may be saying you look tired, unhealthy or older than you actually are.
Medically known as ‘periorbital hyperpigmentation’, dark circles under your eyes aren’t really about an actual change in skin color at all. Dark circles are most often created by volume loss in the area beneath the eye. With the loss of volume, the tiny blue veins and the orbital bone are more exposed.
This creates a slightly hollow ‘trough’, giving the appearance of a dark circle. As is so often the case, genetics also play a large role in determining whether you’ll wind up with dark circles and how severe they may be.
Dark circles are seen more often in darker skin due to an increase of melanin in the skin.
Even too much rubbing can exacerbate the problem, leading to darker, thicker skin below the eyes.
What Can Be Done About Dark Circles Under the Eyes?
If you’re tired of looking tired, there are some measures that can be taken to reduce the look of dark circles. There are creams with retinoic acid and certain other skin lightening creams that are available in varying strengths.
These skin care creams can be found in Dr. Philpott’s office, some are sold over-the-counter, and others can only be purchased through prescriptions. Check with your Dr. Philpott to find out which ones may be right for you.
Chemical peels, like glycolic acid peels have had some success in lightening the appearance of dark circles. Added lightening benefits can be seen using peels with retinoic acid or hydroquinone. Again, your doctor and licensed medical esthetician will be able to advise you if a chemical peel is your best option.
Other methods used to minimize the effects of pigmentation below the eyes include intense pulsed light (IPL), which is especially helpful for pigmentation caused by excessive exposure to UV rays.
Using a dermal filler, such as Restylane, can also help augment the under-eye hollowness to help treat dark circles.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to live with dark circles under your eyes, always giving the illusion that you’re sick or exhausted. There are numerous solutions available that will return a vibrant, wide-awake appearance, bringing a more youthful look to your eyes, and brightening your whole face.
If you’re frustrated with hearing constant comments like, “Are you feeling alright?” or “Did you sleep okay? You look tired.” and you’re considering having something done about it, contact us at The Body Sculpting Center.
We’ll be happy to schedule a free, personalized consultation for you. You can thoroughly explore your options and leave with a treatment plan designed especially for you.
