What are dark circles under the eyes?

The eyes are often called the “mirror of the soul”, and each of us wants to see them shiny, healthy and beautiful. Dark circles under the eyes often spoil their appearance and give us a tired and haggard image. Many women try to fight this problem with the help of powder and a whole arsenal of other special cosmetics, without thinking that it is important to find the cause and eliminate it.

In our article we will tell you about the causes and ways to eliminate dark circles under the eyes. Such knowledge will help you not only get rid of a tired expression on your face, but will also indicate possible health problems.

Why do dark circles appear under the eyes?

The skin around the eyes is very thin, sensitive and delicate. The collagen fibers in it are arranged in a mesh pattern, and this contributes to its increased extensibility. Due to facial activity, this area of ​​the face is constantly in motion and is prone to swelling. Immediately under the skin there are blood vessels that are translucent due to the small thickness of the skin and the accumulation of blood in them with an insufficient amount of oxygen.

As a result, dark circles appear under the eyes. This effect is further enhanced by the fact that the eyes are located in the area of ​​the orbital sockets and the manifestation of such shadows is enhanced.

To get rid of dark circles under the eyes, it is necessary to find out the reason for their appearance, since the methods for eliminating them depend on this.

Insufficient time to sleep

Every person needs to sleep 7-8 hours a day. Due to lack of sleep, the complexion becomes pale and the blood vessels against the background of such contrast are more noticeable.

To eliminate such dark circles, it is necessary to restore normal sleep patterns and use simple folk recipes:

1. raw potatoes: grate the peeled tuber on a fine grater and mix 2 teaspoons of potato pulp with 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, apply the resulting mixture to the lower eyelid area, rinse with brewed green tea after 20-25 minutes;
2. cosmetic ice: 1 teaspoon of green tea or 1 tablespoon of one of the medicinal herbs (sage, chamomile, cornflower, dill or parsley), pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for half an hour, pour the infusion into ice molds and freeze, wipe with a piece of ice skin in the eye area after regular washing in the morning and evening.

Constant eye strain, stress and chronic fatigue

A busy rhythm of life, stressful situations and constant eye fatigue (for example, while working at a computer) leads to the formation of dark circles under the eyes due to stagnation of blood in the capillaries. To eliminate them, you need to normalize your work schedule, walk in the fresh air more often and, if necessary, take sedatives or herbal infusions.

To quickly eliminate dark circles under the eyes, the following folk recipes are suitable:

1. mask of fresh cucumber and parsley: grate the cucumber on a fine grater, finely chop a few sprigs of parsley, mix everything with 1 tablespoon of sour cream, apply the resulting mixture to the area under the eyes for 10-15 minutes, rinse with warm water;
2. compresses with boiled milk: soak cotton pads in warm milk and apply to eyes for 15 minutes, wash with warm water.

Smoking and alcohol

Substances found in tobacco smoke and alcohol contribute to chronic intoxication of the body and have a destructive effect on all tissues. The skin of drinkers and smokers ages faster and is more susceptible to inflammation and swelling.

Over time, it becomes impossible to get rid of dark circles under the eyes caused by constant intoxication. Only quitting smoking and frequent drinking can restore the beauty of your skin and eyes.

Poor nutrition

Frequent consumption of fried, smoked, spicy and salty foods, late tea drinking, insufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals - all this negatively affects the overall health and appearance of the skin. Toxins that accumulate in the blood and tissues of the body can cause dark circles under the eyes.

It is possible to get rid of such external manifestations of poor nutrition by revising the daily menu and replenishing the microelements and minerals missing in the body. To do this, you may need to consult a doctor or nutritionist.

Improper care or low-quality cosmetics

The skin under the eyes is very sensitive and quickly reacts to aggressive external influences, which can be caused by hot water, stretching the skin while washing or applying cream, etc. Poor-quality cosmetic products for care or makeup can also have a negative impact on it. The components included in such products can cause allergic reactions and accumulate in the skin around the eyes.

To prevent the appearance of dark circles under the eyes caused by such reasons, the following rules must be followed;

1. do not forget about the mandatory cleansing of the skin after makeup;
2. apply to the skin under the eyes only those creams and gels that are intended for this area of ​​the face;
3. choose creams, decorative eye cosmetics or concealers only from well-known manufacturers;
4. When washing and applying, do not stretch the skin; apply creams and gels around the eyes with gentle patting movements with ring fingers in the direction of the massage lines;
5. Don't forget about daily facial massage.

To eliminate such circles under the eyes, it is necessary to reconsider the correct care of the skin of this area of ​​the face and use the services of a cosmetologist. If it is impossible to visit a beauty salon, you can perform lymphatic drainage facial massage at home. Be sure to learn how to do it correctly! Remember that when massaging in the lower eyelid area, light patting movements of the fingertips should be directed in the direction from the temple to the bridge of the nose. After the massage, you can use a high-quality cream for the area around the eyes, which must be chosen taking into account age, or traditional medicine recipes that were described above.

Chronic diseases

Dark circles under the eyes may be a symptom of any internal organ disease:

1. kidneys: such shadows under the eyes are often accompanied by swelling; in some cases, kidney disease can be hidden and detected only after a detailed examination (read about the first signs of kidney disease →);
2. liver and gall bladder: such circles under the eyes have a yellowish tint, the patient feels bitterness in the mouth, discomfort and pain in the right hypochondrium;
3. pancreas: accompanying symptoms may be pain in the left hypochondrium, diarrhea and constipation, nausea or vomiting;
4. helminth infections: in the presence of helminths, the patient feels irritability, increased fatigue, abdominal pain, flatulence and problems with stool;
5. endocrine disorders: thyroid diseases and diabetes insipidus lead to hormonal imbalances, which can be accompanied by dark circles under the eyes and various other symptoms (thirst, frequent mood swings, etc.);
6. diseases of the cardiovascular system: such shadows under the eyes have a bluish tint and are caused by poor circulation;
7. anemia - such dark circles under the eyes are caused by an insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood due to a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin and iron in the body, accompanied by increased fatigue, frequent dizziness, headaches, etc.

Dark circles under the eyes can appear due to certain infectious inflammatory processes (for example, sinusitis), headaches, diseases of the upper teeth and other diseases. It is possible to identify the true cause of their appearance only after consulting a doctor and carrying out the examination recommended by him. After diagnosis, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary, getting rid of which will also help eliminate dark circles under the eyes.

Heredity and age

Some people have dark circles under their eyes from birth and their appearance is due to hereditary reasons (close relatives also have them). Such shadows are formed due to the excessively close location of blood vessels under the skin of the eyelids and it is impossible to eliminate them with ordinary home remedies.

In such cases, various salon procedures can be used to get rid of dark circles under the eyes:

1. acupressure;
2. lymphatic drainage;
3. mesotherapy;
4. laser treatment, etc.

Natural aging also causes more pronounced dark circles under the eyes. Over the years, the subcutaneous fat layer and thin skin under the eyes thin out and the blood vessels become even more visible. Salon treatments and proper skin care can help in such situations.

Dark circles under the eyes in children

Particular attention should be paid to the appearance of dark circles under the eyes of a child. If they are not caused by a hereditary predisposition, then their appearance always indicates some kind of disease.

Most often, dark circles in children appear due to infectious diseases and helminthiases, but this symptom may also indicate more serious systemic diseases (cardiovascular system, digestive organs, kidneys or endocrine glands). A visit to the doctor and a detailed examination will help to identify the true cause of dark circles and begin timely treatment of the underlying ailment.

Innovative cosmetics

The cosmetic industry has created many products to eliminate dark circles under the eyes. Typically, such products contain substances that can improve blood microcirculation and lymph outflow. These include: extracts of brown algae, nettle, horse chestnut, gotu kola, ruscus, butcher's broom, calendula, medicinal leech, vitamins K and A.

In recent years, the following innovations have appeared on the market of cosmetic products to combat dark circles around the eyes:

1. MDI Complex: it contains shark cartilage, which contains marine glycosaminoglycan and helps suppress the activity of metalloproteinase (a substance that destroys collagen and elastin);
2. TÊTе Cosmeceutical preparations: they contain an oligopeptide complex and yeast protein Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, which are able to penetrate deep into the skin, accelerate metabolic processes, enrich tissues with oxygen, reduce capillary permeability and help normalize microcirculation and lymph outflow;
3. Ridulisse C: This solution contains active molecules from soybean fractions that help tighten, restore, brighten and protect the skin in the periorbital area by enhancing the metabolism of phytoblasts.

Remember that dark circles under the eyes do not always indicate an unhealthy lifestyle and can be symptoms of serious diseases! If normalizing sleep, nutrition and work habits, giving up bad habits and using cosmetics and folk remedies do not eliminate these unpleasant manifestations, you need to consult a doctor and determine the cause of their occurrence. In such cases, only treatment of the underlying disease will help you get rid of dark circles under your eyes and restore your health and beauty.

Which doctor should I contact?

If dark circles appear under the eyes, you should consult a therapist and rule out diseases of the internal organs. If a person is somatically healthy, a cosmetologist or dermatologist will help him get rid of this symptom. If it turns out that dark circles are a manifestation of the disease, you will need to consult a specialized specialist: nephrologist, hepatologist, infectious disease specialist, gastroenterologist, dentist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, hematologist, ENT doctor and others.
video version of the article

Their sudden appearance or constant presence on the face indicates that the body has stopped coping with stress and needs help.

The mechanism of dark circles appearance

Dark circles, bags or bruises under the eyes - these concepts combine a whole group of symptoms that manifest themselves in a similar way. The term “periorbital hyperpigmentation” is used in dermatology, and the concept “cyanosis” is used to describe pathological conditions.

The mechanism for the appearance of dark circles under the eyes in women, men and children may be different:

1. Network of blood vessels under the skin. One of the most common reasons. The skin under the eyes is thin, and the network of blood vessels underneath is noticeable. Due to this, bluish or blue shadows are formed.
2. Pigment accumulation. Rarely seen. The accumulation of brown pigment causes discoloration of the skin under the eyes.
3. Age-related changes. The area of ​​skin between the nose and cheeks is called the tear trough. The older a person gets, the smaller the layer of fatty tissue in the facial area. This causes the tear trough to deepen, forming dark circles.
4. Facial swelling. The accumulation of fluid in the facial area leads to the appearance of circles. The skin stretches, loses elasticity, and blood vessels begin to appear through it.

Causes in adults

Eye circles, which most often occur in women, can appear due to various factors. The most common are those associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, conditions can only be corrected in conjunction with improving the overall quality of life.

Lack of sleep

Leads to changes in complexion and the appearance of circles. Insufficient night sleep causes overstrain of the eye muscles and increases the body's need for oxygen. Trying to compensate for its deficiency, blood flow increases, the vessels become overfilled with blood and become especially noticeable against the background of pale skin.

Stress and overwork

The conditions also cause exhaustion of the body, and the need for nutrients and oxygen increases.

Bad habits

Alcohol and cigarettes cause the development of intoxication in the body, which leads to oxygen starvation. Cigarette smoke causes the skin to dry out, become thin, and the blood vessels underneath become more visible.

Improper care

The skin under the eyes is very thin and delicate. The habit of constantly touching your face, using hard towels, scrubs and cosmetics that are not suitable for this skin type can cause rapid aging and fading of the skin.

Improper nutrition and drinking regime

To maintain youthful and elastic skin, it is necessary to consume a sufficient amount of vitamins E, A, C, K, D, fatty acids and minerals with food. A lack of these substances in the diet leads to deterioration of the skin, its thinness and dryness.

For the normal condition of the skin, a sufficient amount of fluid in the body is of great importance. Poor drinking and dehydration can also cause dry skin.

Age and heredity

Over the years, the subcutaneous fat layer in the cheek area becomes thinner, the skin loses its elasticity and becomes thinner and drier. The speed of changes that occur depends on several factors: heredity, lifestyle and physical health.

Hyperpigmentation

Increased pigment secretion and its accumulation around the eyes is rare, usually with diseases of the adrenal glands. It is hyperpigmentation that causes brown circles around the eyes, which do not change color when the skin is pulled back.

Circulatory disorders

Leads to hypoxia or stagnation of blood in the venous vessels. Because of this, the vessels become overfilled with dark blood, which shines through the skin. This condition is typical for vegetative-vascular dystonia and chronic heart diseases.

Diseases of other organs

The causes of blue circles around the eyes are serious diseases of the internal organs (kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas and blood). Other symptoms of pathology will certainly be present.

What causes purple circles under the eyes? This occurs in kidney diseases. Then there will be pain in the lumbar region and difficulty urinating.

The cause of dark circles under the eyes in men often lies in liver disease. In this case, the circles and skin become yellowish, pain in the right hypochondrium and indigestion are disturbing.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by thirst, a sharp decrease or increase in weight, and weakness. Anemia is characterized by weakness, increased fatigue, pallor and headaches.

Causes in children

What do the circles that appear under a child's eyes mean? Bluish or bluish shadows under the eyes do not always indicate pathology. Faint shadows under the eyes can be due to the tenderness and thinness of children's skin, they are especially noticeable in fair-haired children with very fair skin.

Blue circles in children can also occur as a result of overwork, stress or lack of sleep. In such situations, just rest well and the circles will disappear.

Non-disappearing circles, constant fatigue, moodiness may be signs of pathologies such as anemia, helminthic infestations, allergies, vegetative-vascular dystonia or adenoids.

Which doctor should I consult for circles under the eyes?

If dark circles appear under your eyes, you can try to deal with the problem yourself. If the circles do not disappear, you should seek help from a therapist or pediatrician. Specialists will be able to assess the general condition of the patient’s body, recommend examinations and give further recommendations.

After the examination or if a concomitant pathology is suspected, consultations with a neurologist, cardiologist, or endocrinologist are prescribed.

Diagnostics

When visiting a doctor about dark circles around the eyes, the following diagnostic procedures are prescribed:

1. general blood and urine analysis;
2. blood chemistry;
3. ECG;
4. EEG;
5. hormone tests;
6. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.

Treatment

Treatment for dark or black circles under the eyes depends on the cause. In the absence of somatic pathology, general methods of restoring the body, cosmetics and prevention are recommended. At home, you can remove circles, especially if they are sunken under the eyes, by using several products at once.

Lifestyle

How to get rid of dark circles under the eyes? First of all, you should change your lifestyle. Proper rest, sleep, walks in the fresh air and proper alternation of mental and physical activity in most cases help not only get rid of circles, but also restore health.

It is especially important for children to follow the regime, as they need additional strength for growth and development.

Traditional methods

You can restore your skin condition using time-tested recipes.

The best folk remedies for dark circles under the eyes:

1. Gymnastics. This is a combination of eye exercises and light massage of the skin underneath.
2. Rubbing with ice. It tones the skin, strengthens blood vessels and helps restore water balance. To do this, you need to wipe your face with ice cubes twice a day.
3. Herbal infusion for rubbing. For this purpose, it is recommended to use an infusion of chamomile, sage or green tea. To wipe the face, prepare an infusion of 1 tbsp. l. dry herbs per glass of boiling water.
4. Oatmeal mask. The ground flakes are steamed with hot water. The resulting mass is cooled and applied to the area under the eyes. After 15–20 minutes, wash off the mask with cool water.
5. Sour cream and egg mask. Beat fresh sour cream, add the white of one egg, mix and apply to the face. Apply especially thickly to the area around the eyes. After 20–30 minutes, wash off.
6. Cottage cheese mask.Fresh cottage cheese is whipped, squeezed and used for applications. Wash off after 15–30 minutes.

To get the maximum effect from masks, it is recommended to do them in the evening before bed and in the morning, after steaming your face. You need to lie down, relax your facial muscles, and not move during the procedure.

Medications

The appearance of circles under the eyes is a sign of overwork. You can help it recover faster and restore elasticity to the skin using the following medications:

1. vitamins of group B, A, E, D, K or complexes;
2. iron preparations (Sorbifer, Maltifer, Ferrum Lek);
3. preparations of selenium, magnesium, phosphorus;
4. general strengthening and stimulating drugs (tincture of propolis, eleutherococcus, ginseng root).

In addition to general restoratives, antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine, Sertraline), sleeping pills (Barboval, Midazol), and sedatives (extract of valerian, motherwort, peony) are used as prescribed by a doctor.

Cosmetology procedures

This is one of the most effective remedies in the fight against age-related skin changes. The following procedures will help quickly remove dark spots under the eyes:

1. mesotherapy – improves blood circulation and skin tone with laser;
2. biorevitalization – improves blood circulation;
3. lipofilling – forms a new fat layer;
4. microcurrent therapy – increases the outflow of venous blood.

Before removing bruises or camouflaging them under the eyes, you should find out all possible contraindications to the procedures. This can only be done by a qualified specialist after a detailed diagnosis.

In the most severe cases, when it is not possible to cope with dark circles using conservative methods, blepharoplasty or facial contouring is recommended.

Prevention

Prevention of the formation of dark circles around the eyes means a healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits, sufficient physical activity, a good night's sleep and rest. As well as proper nutrition and lack of stress.

What to do if dark circles appear? First of all, you should establish a sleep and rest schedule, add vitamins to your diet, visit a doctor and undergo an examination. This condition is one of the body’s first signals about its own distress. A healthy lifestyle and prevention of diseases of internal organs will help get rid of such “decoration”.

Author: Dana Shaimerdenova, doctor,
especially for Okulist.pro

Useful video about why dark circles appear under the eyes

Dark circles under the eyes – change in skin color in the paraorbital area in the form of circles of a bluish-gray or brown tint. Dark circles under the eyes give the face an unhealthy, haggard, haggard appearance; visually make a person older and more unattractive. In addition, dark circles under the eyes may indicate some internal disease, and therefore require medical diagnosis. The problem of dark circles under the eyes should be solved comprehensively, by eliminating the causes of this condition and carrying out cosmetic procedures (mesotherapy, biorevitalization, masks, microcurrent therapy, etc.).

General information

In the 20s of the last century, there was a fashion for dark circles under the eyes, which were considered a sign of a passionate and romantic nature. The effect of a “dramatic look” was achieved with the help of special makeup - shading the line of eyeliner and applying eye shadow. However, fashion is fickle, and dark circles under the eyes are no longer the ideal of beauty in the modern world. Dark circles or “bruises” under the eyes can be a purely cosmetic defect or a symptom of some pathology of the internal organs - in any case, this problem should not be ignored.

The skin around the eyes is very thin and sensitive, it is more susceptible to various harmful influences and is susceptible to various changes - the first wrinkles, dark circles, bags under the eyes. The reason for this is the peculiarities of its structure: in the paraorbital region, the epidermis consists of fewer rows of cells; here the stratum corneum is thinner, the granular layer is completely absent. The skin around the eyes is 5 times thinner than the skin around the cheeks or chin. In addition, in the periorbital area there are practically no sebaceous glands, subcutaneous fat is poorly developed, there are few collagen and elastin fibers - all this leads to dry skin, rapid loss of tone and early aging. An additional risk factor is the significant facial load to which the periorbital region is exposed - we blink from 40 to 100 thousand times per day. The vascular network in this area is located superficially and often shines through thin, stretched skin, creating the effect of dark circles under the eyes. That is why increased attention is paid to the condition of the skin around the eyes, both in aesthetic cosmetology and in everyday home care.

Causes of dark circles under the eyes

The most common cause of dark circles under the eyes is overwork and chronic lack of sleep. Lack of sleep makes the skin pale and dull, causing blood vessels to become more visible and purple shadows to appear under the eyes. Improper care (or lack of care) for the area around the eyes, poorly selected cosmetics, and the habit of rubbing your eyes with your hands also contribute to the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

For many people, dark circles under the eyes are genetic. This may be due to light and thin skin of the infraorbital area, close proximity of blood vessels, excessive skin pigmentation, which are inherited and cause deep shadows under the eyes. Often, hereditary predisposition is aggravated by external causes: prolonged sitting in front of a computer monitor, bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking, excessive tanning), unhealthy diet (consuming large amounts of caffeine, spicy seasonings, canned foods, etc.). Another factor in the appearance of dark circles under the eyes is the natural process of skin aging: with age, the skin becomes thin and flabby, and blood vessels appear much more clearly.

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by dehydration and hypovitaminosis, which can be caused by strict diets. Sometimes shadows around the eyes appear as a result of sudden weight loss in a very short period of time - in these cases, the causes of dark circles under the eyes may lie in both loss of skin tone and metabolic disorders.

Often, dark circles under the eyes signal serious chronic diseases. A similar symptom can occur with renal, adrenal and heart failure, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, helminthiasis, giardiasis, anemia, hypothyroidism, and diseases of the nervous system. In children, dark circles under the eyes can occur due to diseases of the nasopharynx (chronic tonsillitis), diseases of the teeth and gums, and vegetative-vascular dystonia. Allergic reactions (allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, hay fever), accompanied by dilation of blood vessels and increased permeability of their walls, can also give the skin around the eyes a dark tint.

It is believed that one or another shade of dark circles under the eyes can quite accurately indicate a disease of certain organs. Thus, blue-violet circles under the eyes occur due to circulatory problems; reddish ones are found in allergic and kidney diseases; yellow ones appear with problems with the liver and gall bladder; brownish ones may indicate chronic intoxication, helminthic infestation, etc.

Diagnosis of dark circles under the eyes

If dark circles appear under the eyes, you should not try to disguise them under a thick layer of decorative cosmetics. This will not solve the problem, but will only worsen the cosmetic defect. The first step towards eliminating dark circles under the eyes should be to find out the reasons for their occurrence. If lifestyle changes have not led to an improvement in the condition of the skin in the periorbital area, you should consult a therapist (gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, allergist - if you associate the appearance of dark circles under the eyes with certain health problems).

From laboratory examinations, it is advisable to perform a general and biochemical blood test, a general urine test, a spectral blood test for microelements, a study of thyroid hormones, a stool test for helminth eggs and Giardia. Additional instrumental studies may include an electrocardiogram, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, kidneys and retroperitoneal space. If an in-depth examination did not reveal any health problems, then, most likely, dark circles under the eyes are a cosmetic defect that requires contacting a dermatocosmetologist.

Ways to eliminate dark circles under the eyes

The delicate skin around the eyes is one of the first to show signs of aging. Expression wrinkles (“crow’s feet”), fatty hernias of the eyelids, deformation of the tear trough, dark circles under the eyes give the face a tired, haggard and aged appearance. To get rid of annoying dark circles under the eyes, you need to organize proper daily care for the eye area. First of all, you should normalize your daily routine by ensuring adequate sleep at night for at least 8 hours. It is equally important to give up bad habits, make adjustments to your usual diet, enriching it with fresh vegetables and fruits; avoid stress and overwork, reduce visual strain, etc.

Effective home remedies for eyelid skin care include contrasting compresses from herbal decoctions, nourishing masks, light massage of the skin around the eyes with fingertips, and eyelid gymnastics. Be sure to apply daily eye cream or serum containing collagen, hyaluronic acid, green tea extract; using sunscreen with SPF of at least 30. You can reduce dark circles under the eyes, reduce swelling, and smooth out the skin using a special cosmetic transdermal patch. To quickly and effectively camouflage dark circles under the eyes, you can use a concealer (corrector) with a light creamy texture.

An important addition to self-care for the eye area are professional cosmetic procedures: special programs, facial massage, gentle chemical peels, hardware cosmetology (microcurrent therapy, iontophoresis). For the problem of dark circles under the eyes, mesotherapy, injection biorevitalization, laser hyaluroplasty, carboxytherapy, and contour plastic surgery of the tear trough are relevant. Laser rejuvenation and thermolifting procedures for the periorbital zone make it possible to comprehensively eliminate various age-related defects: hyperpigmentation, bags, wrinkles around the eyes. Plastic surgery offers a radical way to eliminate dark circles under the eyes using lipofilling - transplantation of subcutaneous fat from the donor area to the periorbital area. In case of pronounced age-related changes in the skin around the eyes, blepharoplasty may be recommended.

To achieve a noticeable and long-term aesthetic result, it is advisable to combine professional procedures and home care for the skin around the eyes. This will increase the elasticity of the skin and restore youth to the eyes.