Eyes are the central expressive focus of the face. It shows emotions, health and beauty. A study has found that * Beauty really is in the eyes of the beholder. Having darkness around the eyes pulls down beauty of face makes people look tired , unhealthy and older. Dark discoloration of the skin under the eye is mainly referred to as dark circles.its also known as dark rings, shadows or panda eye.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and asked yourself how do I get rid of these dark circles under my eyes? You are not alone. According to  a 2006 study by Clinique, 54 percent of woman surveyed (just under 7,000 woman) say getting rid of dark circles is their number one beauty priority.

This article will explore how to reduce and hopefully get rid of the dark circles. Are you ready to learn more about how to kill those dark circles?  lets jump right in!

Did you know that skin underneath your eyes is only .5 mm thick, while the skin almost everywhere else on your body is a full 2 mm thick. It might seem small but it makes a massive difference. You cant treat treat the incredibly fragile skin under your eyes the same way you treat rest of your body. This area requires special care as it reflects neglect, abuse,
aging stress and internal health very easily.

What causes dark circles under the eyes?

Dark circle can develop at any age like adolescence and early 20s, although it is more common in older people.

 There are a lot of different reasons why we get dark circles under eyes. Dermatologist Rebecca  Baxt,  MD noted that genetics often play a role in discoloration - if your parents both have hyper pigmentation in the area , you could too. While women with dark complexions are more prone to pigmentation issues , women with very fair skin also have issues with transparency.  

Aging you may or may not know , our skin loses its elasticity and ability to regenerate and as  a result, elderly people will have rather prominent peri orbital dark circles regardless of how much they sleep.

Lack of sleep, poor diet, stress, pregnancy, medication, sun exposure,prolong disease, dehydration even certain cosmetics is likely to contribute more than just under eye cosmetic issue.

Treatment plan
I do have some good news for you , if you can figure out what's causing them, you can learn how to get rid of dRk circles that haunt you.
Lifestyle Changes
Not getting enough rest each night, or working long hours with out time to recoup , is a common cause of dark circle. First get enough sleep, 6 to hours sleep at night. Drugs, alcohol, smoking adversely affect the quality of your sleep. Relaxing might help remove sources of stress and anxiety that are preventing you from sleeping and resting properly. Skin tends to reflect a whole host of emotional and physical ailments , so don't dismiss the need to relax lightly. Engage in regular exercise and physical activity to help with circulation. Eat a healthy , balanced diet , take vitamins and drink plenty of water . A whole host of cosmetic problems can be attributed to lack of vitamin K , vitamin B 12, Iron,  inadequate antioxidants.

Treat your allergies
If you have allergies, treat the allergy or remove the allergen. Itching can encourage rubbing , which compounds the problem by prompting hyper pigmentation. If your dark circles are constant you may have an undetected food allergy or an allergy to a chemical in your house or workplace. Talk to your dermatologist for help determining what you may be allergic to. If you suffer from chronic or acute sinusitis , despite sleeping 8 hours each night nasal congestion can still cause dark circles. Make an appointment with an ENT doctor.

Topical treatment
Dermatologists and make up artists all agree you need a hard working moisturizing eye cream to ensure the area stays hydrated. Always wear sunscreen because skin beneath your eyes is so thin, its specially prone to sun induced hyper pigmentation.  Popular ingredients for treating dark circles including vitamin K, vitamin  E, vitamin C, kojic acid, green tea, Retin A, that have skin lightening abilities.

Skin resurfacing for under eye circles
Laser resurfacing, diamond peel, radio frequency may be used to help reduce dark circles by increasing collagen production, decreasing pigmentation problems , and improving overall skin quality.
Consider a hyaluronic Acid filler
dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid,  are injected under the muscle known as the “tear trough”. Once injected, the hollow areas under the eyes are plumped making the shadow and discoloration less extreme. Treatment for dark circles around the eyes with a dermal filler injection will produce immediate and noticeable results but will have to be performed approximately every six months to maintain plumpness under the eye.

Consider PRP
Aesthetic medicine offers the Platelet Rich Plasma therapy which creates an instant volume correction under the eyes reducing the appearance of dark circles and eye bags. To ensure the skin's long term  regeneration, a series of maintenance sessions should be regularly carried out.

Surgery for eye circles
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty is generally the most effective way to permanently get rid of dark circles.
There are multiple approaches to lower eyelid surgery, and when it is performed to diminish dark circles, it is often combined with one or more of the following surgical procedures: arcus marginalis release, placement of tear trough implants, and the addition, removal, or repositioning of under eye fat.

While you cant totally prevent dark under eye circles , you can minimize them according to the dermatologists.getting dark circles under the eyes has become a common phenomenon today, that can affect both men and women.. Even the most fresh faced person among us will get dark circle eventually. If you too are one of the many individuals being tormented by dark circles, this post will definitely help you.
Dr Tauhida Rahman
(dermatologist)
Surecell medical BD