Medical term: Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
No one "did" dark circles like silent film star Clara Bow. The Brooklyn girl (turned "It Girl" after her sexy sales girl role in the 1927 movie IT), loved her black eyeliner.
Until the heavy liner look comes back in vogue, and it will, we just need the right solutions to nix that natural pigmentation that looks like our eyes are doing shadow shows.
What Are Those Dark Circles?
Dark circles are usually no more than blood we see through the outer layer of skin or they can result from hyperpigmentation. Those dark patches of skin are frequently the result of sun damage, pregnancy or other hormonal changes.
Dark circles are "...commonly caused by very prominent veins which lie below the skin under the eye," says Dr. Kucy Pon, a dermatologist at the University of Toronto's Division of Dermatology and Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre.
Unlike the large veins in the legs, where impeded blood flow results in pooling and bulging veins, the blood vessels under the eyes are too small to appear varicose. However, because the skin under the eyes is very thin, just 0.5 mm compared to 2 mm in other areas, the restricted blood takes on a blue tint.
Should You Be Concerned?
Most of us experience dark under eye circles, especially as we age.
If not heredity related, (a blood vessel condition) circles are normally temporary and, according to Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence Gibson, M.D., are not a medical concern. However see your physician or dermatologist if you don't respond to the corrective measures suggested below.
Conditions such as chronic sinus infections, allergies, nutrient deficiency, metabolic disorders or kidney disease require medical intervention. Don't ignore the symptoms by thinking of them as vanity.
If left untreated or treated inappropriately, ... a build-up of venous back pressure in the tiny fine capillaries of the skin [can cause] damage to the already compromised collagen and connective tissue" says Gary Goldfaden, MD, Clinical Dermatologist and Founder of the Academy of Dermatology in Hollywood Florida.
Although benign, dark circles can be hard to eliminate. To diminish or at least minimize the "It" look, you'll have to play detective to find out what's causing your circles.
Read the 12 Causes of Under Eye Circles
Your eyes and surrounding tissue tell the story of your how your life is going and the state of your health.That's exactly why covering your dark circles with makeup is not the solution.
Discovering the real source of your circles will lead you to the true solution and improve your health at the same time. In the meantime, keep the tissue nourished and moisturized with one of the products here.
- Soothing, nutrient rich ingredients such as yam, aloe, kojic acid, cucumber and ginseng can have an immediate effect on delicate eye tissue.
- Firming ingredients such as Alpha Lipoic Acid, DMAE and Vitamin C can take years off the eyelid area while lightening.
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