Dark circles under the eyes are one of the first reasons on the doctor’s visit list. Of course, this symptom is often accompanied by headaches or constant fatigue. And even if you are tired, why do dark circles appear under the eyes and how to get rid of them properly without masking?

Bruising under the eyes is the result of sleepless nights, stress at work, usually believed. However, in reality, everything is not so simple.

We talk about the real causes of signs of fatigue on the face and effective ways to get rid of bruises under the eyes.

Why do bruises appear under the eyes

Experts deny that fatigue is one of the main causes of bruising under the eyes. Circles under the eyes actually most often occur due to hyperpigmentation. Both external factors, such as prolonged exposure to the sun, smoking and poor sleep, and genetics can provoke its manifestation.

With insufficient blood circulation under the eyes, the blood in the capillaries stagnates, and haemoglobin changes color.

People of Asian and African types are more prone to hyperpigmentation under the eyes, because their common genetic trait is the thin skin of the lower eyelids. Due to this feature, the veins are better translucent, painting the skin under the eyes in a dark color.

Seasonal allergies can also provoke bruising under the eyes. Due to nasal congestion, blood circulation is disrupted, which leads to varicose veins in the area under the eyes.

“As the veins dilate, the veins under the eyes become larger and darker. Dark circles under the eyes can also be caused by the loss of fat and collagen that occurs naturally with age. Their lack often leads to thinning of the skin and inflammation in the under-eye area, which only emphasizes tired look,” says American dermatologist Dennis Gross.

We spend too much time staring at the screens of our gadgets, which also causes serious damage to the eyes. The more time we spend on it, the more we strain our eyes. As a result, small blood vessels enlarge, creating the same unfortunate shadows around the eyes.

To find out the causes of bruises in your case, experts recommend a simple test.

Test to identify the cause of bruising under the eyes

Pinch the skin around the eyes with your fingers and pull it slightly. If it stays dark, then you probably have a problem with pigment. If the skin changes color, the cause is probably in varicose veins, recommends dermatologist Dennis Gross.

How to get rid of dark circles under the eyes

Experts believe that the first step in combating dark circles under the eyes should be a thorough analysis of the diet.

Diet

There is no special diet to get rid of dark circles. But a diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats can significantly improve the condition of your skin – including the area around the eyes.

Eat more tomatoes

It is believed that some products can help fight dark circles or prevent the problem from getting worse. Such products include tomatoes, which contain an antioxidant called lycopene – it improves blood circulation and protects blood vessels. For the same purpose, you can also add blueberries, watermelon, oranges and beets to the diet.

Less red wine and coffee

If you want to get rid of dark circles under the eyes, it is better to give up red wine and coffee.

Dermatologist Dennis Gross believes that this will help reduce bruising under the eyes. These drinks can be replaced with plain water: their insufficient consumption leads to dehydration, and hence to dark circles under the eyes, and gives a yellowish tinge to the skin as a whole.

Other ways to deal with dark circles

Normalize your sleep

Lack of sleep in itself does not cause dark circles under the eyes, only emphasizes their presence. Experts recommend sleeping from 7 to 9 hours a day – this time is usually enough to wake up rested, with a healthy complexion and stay fit throughout the day.

By the way, sleeping on your back with your head slightly raised will minimize the likelihood of edema. Another way to improve sleep quality is to set the night mode on your phone throughout the day. It has been proven that blue radiation disrupts the natural sleep cycle.

Healthy Lifestyle

Smoking is a bad habit. It also affects the formation of dark circles under the eyes. 

Do your best to quit smoking. Research has shown that smoking and inhaling second-hand tobacco smoke exacerbates the problem of dark circles under the eyes as well as being overweight, high cholesterol and triglycerides (one of the main sources of energy for the body’s cells – Ed.). The last two problems can be solved by adjusting diet, medication and exercise.

Sunscreen

To avoid hyperpigmentation in the area under the eyes, it is necessary to use creams with an SPF filter daily. To reduce the effects of sunlight on the skin, before going outside, you should apply a wide range of sunscreen to the lash line, and for extra protection also wear sunglasses. To further mask the already dark circles under the eyes, use concealer with SPF 30.

Reconsider your skin care

There are a large number of cosmetics that help deal with dark circles under the eyes.

Cosmetics for dark circles under the eyes should contain the following ingredients that help retain moisture in the skin:

• caffeine,
• hyaluronic acid,
• tripeptides and ceramides

According to experts, in the fight against bruising under the eyes also helps a useful “cocktail” of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.

“Vitamin C promotes collagen production, and hyaluronic acid fills the skin, reducing its transparency,” explains dermatologist Dennis Gross.

Cosmetic procedures for bruising under the eyes

Chemical peeling

For those whose bruises under the eyes are the result of hyperpigmentation, chemical peels can help. Hard and deep peels due to too thin skin in the area around the eyes will not be suitable for solving this problem. Otherwise, in place of dark circles may increase pigmentation or even scarring. However, a course of light peels with lactic, mandelic or glycolic acid can eventually solve the problem of dark circles under the eyes.

Laser treatment

Hyperpigmentation on the skin can also be removed with laser treatments. There are special types of lasers that are suitable for use in the sensitive area around the eyes. However, due to the risk of injury to the eye itself, the laser course should only be performed by an experienced practitioner.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a hardware procedure aimed at renewing cells and activating their potential. Its principle is to apply multiple punctures to the skin with the finest needles and make useful ingredients in the upper layers of the epidermis. Tiny punctures stimulate skin cells to the process of natural recovery, thereby contributing to the lightening of dark circles.

Experts advise combining this procedure with a course of chemical peeling – microneedles will increase the penetration into the skin, and, consequently, the activity of peeling. However, the recovery period after micro-needling can be delayed for several days: due to the very thin skin around the eyes in this place may appear redness and swelling. With the discomfort these days, experts recommend fighting with a soothing skin cream.

Bruising under the eyes can be a symptom of a serious illness

Anemia (low hemoglobin), poisoning, intestinal infection, intoxication with infectious disease, vascular headache, cardiovascular disease – a number of health problems, which indicate dark circles under the eyes.

At craniocerebral trauma bruises and bags under the eyes are caused by hemorrhage. Bruises under the eyes from the blow will be different both visually and in symptoms.

The cause of bruising under the eyes may be the kidneys, but chronic renal failure is accompanied by swelling of the face – bags under the eyes, swelling. The appearance of dark circles around the eyes is natural with age. Subsequently, the subcutaneous fat layer thins, and the vessels shine more strongly.

First of all, bruising under the eyes is a diagnostic criterion. If dark circles, bags under the eyes, redness of the eyes, bother constantly, you need to be examined and rule out serious causes.

Image Credit: Getty