How to get rid of dark spots under the eyes

The appearance of dark spots under and around the eyes has probably been observed in every woman. They give the appearance an unhealthy and tired look, but the main danger lies in the fact that this phenomenon may indicate the presence of a serious pathology in the body.

Why do black spots appear under the eyes?

Darkening, if it does not disappear, is not a cosmetic defect, but a symptom of a number of diseases. Sometimes it is enough to change your work and rest schedule, review your diet and give up bad habits.

But if the dark spots are caused by internal problems, the help of a doctor is necessary. Therefore, first of all, you need to find out the cause of hyperpigmentation.

Causes of dark spots

The skin on your face is very thin, especially around the eyes. There is practically no muscle and subcutaneous fat layer under the eyelids. Such structural features contribute to the fact that the skin here is very sensitive and quickly loses its elasticity. In addition, its protective layers are the weakest in the entire body. That is why, under the influence of various negative factors, its structure and color change very quickly.

The most common causes of dark circles around the eyes and bags under them:

  1. Regular lack of sleep, chronic fatigue;
  2. Drinking alcohol, smoking. The deterioration of facial skin color is especially noticeable in people who smoke for quite a long time. Hyperpigmentation can occur even after a single drink of alcohol;
  3. Structural feature of the skin. In some people, the blood vessels are located relatively close to the outer layer of the dermis, which gives the latter a bluish tint;
  4. Stress disrupts not only a person’s psycho-emotional state, but also the functioning of all systems of his body. Chronic stress leads to a deterioration in the appearance of the face;
  5. The reason for the appearance of dark spots under the eyes may be hidden in kidney disease. Circles and swelling that do not go away for a long time require contacting a nephrologist. It is worth noting that spots of other colors can occur against the background of pathologies of the cardiovascular system and liver;
  6. Anemia is iron deficiency. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of yellowish and brown circles around the eyes;
  7. Sudden weight loss. This factor is among the reasons, since various strict diets provoke the above-mentioned vitamin deficiency and disrupt metabolic processes in the body, structural changes in the skin occur;
  8. Chronic lack of fresh air. As a rule, this factor affects people who have intense work indoors, as well as young people in the process of studying;
  9. Radiation from computer monitors. Despite the new types of screens, eye strain still occurs, as a result of which they get tired, an unhealthy complexion appears;
  10. Incorrectly selected cosmetics or their improper use. Dense layers of creams do not allow the skin to breathe, slow down metabolic processes, and impair blood circulation;
  11. Allergy. Negative reactions of the body to foods, medications, plant pollen, etc. necessarily affect the eye area. They begin to water, swell, turn red, and hyperpigmentation may occur;
  12. Hormonal imbalances. For some women, the skin condition changes a few days before the start of menstruation. The same phenomenon can worry expectant mothers, as the load on internal organs increases.

While some people only have dark spots under their eyes, others may experience hyperpigmentation of the entire skin around the eye - dark circles are especially common in those who are affected by several negative factors at once, for example, lack of sleep, lack of fresh air, working at a computer, stress.

What to do when black spots appear around the eyes?

First of all, you need to establish the cause that led to the appearance of cosmetic defects.

Sometimes the color of the circles and the nature of other changes help in determining it:

  1. Black circles most often occur due to a lack of oxygen, for example, with anemia, heart and lung diseases. Yellow and brown tints indicate blockage of the bile ducts or accumulation of waste in the body. Usually the listed pathologies are accompanied by other symptoms - digestive problems, manifestations of intoxication, dizziness, constant fatigue, skin rash;
  2. Bluish circles occur due to blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin. However, in some cases, the cause may be hidden in pathologies of the heart or kidneys. If bluish skin has been observed since childhood, and there are no internal disorders, you need to come to terms with this problem and use corrective agents. Otherwise, a complete diagnosis of the body is necessary;
  3. Dark circles around the eyes in children are most often associated with helminthiasis, low immunity, and chronic sinusitis. Parents should be sure to point out warning signs to the pediatrician, because dark spots may indicate a developing pathology.

How to get rid of dark circles?

If the causes are hidden in diseases of the internal organs, then the cosmetic defect can be eliminated only after treating them.

If the provoking factor is a simpler reason, then the following recommendations will help get rid of the circles:

  1. It is necessary to correctly alternate between work and rest. Night sleep does not have to last 8 hours. Scientists have found that it all depends on the characteristics of the body: for some, 6 hours is enough, others need much more. In any case, you need to choose the optimal mode;
  2. Get your nervous system in order. In this case, sedative (calming) drugs will help, for example, tincture of valerian root or motherwort. You can use traditional medicine recipes and prepare tea based on soothing herbs - mint, lemon balm, etc.;
  3. It is important to drink the established daily fluid intake. We are talking about ordinary water. It is desirable that it be filtered. Dehydration has a detrimental effect on the face. You need to drink in small portions throughout the day, slightly reducing the amount of liquid in the evening, so that swelling does not occur in the morning;
  4. Proper nutrition. If possible, you should include more fresh fruits in the menu, especially those rich in vitamins A and C, which have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. These vitamins strengthen blood vessels;
  5. Fresh air will also help get rid of black spots under the eyes. The best option is daily evening walks. If it’s impossible to go out for a walk every day, you need to go out into nature or at least to the park on weekends for a few hours;
  6. It is not recommended to resort to strict diets that provoke sudden weight loss. Firstly, it is a lot of stress for the body. Secondly, the lost kilograms will quickly return. Such diets can disrupt metabolism and lead to problems with the skin, hair, and nails;
  7. When waste accumulates in the body, the intestines need to be cleansed. You cannot do this on your own, as you need to take into account your condition and concomitant diseases. So it is better to seek advice from an experienced specialist;
  8. To refuse from bad habits. For example, nicotine has a very strong effect on the condition of the skin, as well as blood vessels;
  9. Protect yourself from sun exposure. When going outside, you need to use special products for the area around the eyes.

For example, you can eliminate black spots and other skin defects by washing with cold water. You can replace the morning water procedure by wiping with ice cubes. Instead of ordinary water, decoctions of various plants are frozen, for example, string, chamomile, mint, etc.

Compresses based on sage decoction have proven themselves to be effective. For a teaspoon of dry herb you will need 100 ml of boiling water. After mixing the ingredients, they are infused for a quarter of an hour. Then 50 ml of infusion is placed in the refrigerator, and the second half is heated.

The procedure is performed before going to bed. First, cotton pads are moistened in a warm broth and applied for 5 minutes. Then use a cold infusion for the same time. You can alternate between warm and cold remedy several times. But it is worth noting that such manipulations cannot be performed by people who have problems with blood vessels.

As you can see, the causes of black circles and spots can be very diverse. In some cases, the reasons for their appearance are easily eliminated, as are the defects themselves.

In other situations, the help of doctors is necessary. In order not to risk your health, you need to adhere to preventive measures, and if dark circles appear, it is better to consult a specialist.

  1. Cucumber
  2. Potato
  3. Tea bags
  4. Grater or blender
  5. Sea salt or soda
  6. Water

Of course, the best remedy is to get a good night's sleep, but what to do if you didn't sleep yesterday and need to look good today? Cucumber masks are good for tired and swollen eyes. Slice a large cool cucumber crosswise, lie down on the bed and place the slices on your closed eyes. Keep the cucumber compresses for 10 to 15 minutes.

Another vegetable that helps in this case is potatoes. Peel one raw potato and grind it on a grater or in a blender. Place the potato paste on the area around your closed eyes for half an hour. Naturally, this mask also requires a horizontal position of your body.

Cold compresses from tea bags are a time-tested remedy. It can be green, black or chamomile tea, but in no case mint or with citrus additives.

It is not surprising that a common runny nose can also cause swelling and circles under the eyes, because the blood supply in this area is disrupted, and the blood vessels darken and dilate. Get rid of your runny nose and the circles will go away.

Rinsing with saline solution is an easy home remedy for a stuffy nose. Mix ¼ teaspoon sea salt or baking soda in two glasses of warm water. Pour the solution into a vessel with a narrow neck, or better yet, into a special pump for rinsing the nose. Tilt your head and pour half the water into one nostril so that the water comes out through the other. Repeat the procedure with the other nostril.

Circulation problems

The skin under the eyes is extremely thin and any problems with blood vessels immediately begin to “shine through” through it. Add more vitamin K to your diet if you have problems with blood clotting and dark spots are caused by loss of blood from the capillaries. Vitamin K is found in salads, a variety of cabbage, and walnuts. It is important to remember that this vitamin does not tolerate heat treatment.

Drink plenty of water. Dehydrated skin becomes even drier and thinner.

Wear sunglasses all year round. The sun increases melanin production, which means it is not good for you. Instead of glasses, you can apply cream with a high SPF factor. Make whitening masks under your eyes. Fresh homemade cottage cheese is perfect, as it will not only give your skin whiteness, but will also nourish it.

If you sleep well, have excellent heredity and good blood vessels, but still have dark circles under your eyes, you may have a latent allergy. Try eliminating foods with high levels of preservatives from your diet, avoid chemicals, and see a dermatologist.

How often have you encountered the unpleasant phenomenon of dark circles appearing under your eyes?

Usually, women try to disguise this defect with cosmetics as quickly as possible and do not really think about the cause of its appearance. But the appearance of this symptom may indicate not only overwork or lack of sleep, but also disruptions in the functioning of internal organs and body systems.

When should you sound the alarm and what diseases can dark circles under the eyes in women warn of?

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.

How to determine the cause by the color of dark circles

Experts testify that the shade of the circles can presumably diagnose the disease. Circles under the eyes, depending on the cause, are blue, brown, red, yellow.

Blue color
  1. disruption of the digestive system;
  2. disruptions in the urinary system;
  3. disruption of the functioning of the heart and blood circulation;
  4. fatigue;
  5. staying near the computer, prolonged use of gadgets;
  6. insomnia;
  7. alcohol and smoking.
Yellowish circles
  1. an increase in the amount of bilirubin due to impaired functioning of the liver and gallbladder;
  2. consumption of large quantities of foods containing yellow coloring substances (carrots), while the pupils of the eyes remain clear and health remains normal;
  3. genetic predisposition;
  4. unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse;
  5. unbalanced diet;
  6. transferred stressful conditions.
Red tint
  1. kidney disease (circles are associated with swelling);
  2. allergic manifestations;
  3. lack of exposure to fresh air;
  4. unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse;
  5. problems with the brain (hemorrhage, meningitis);
  6. sensitive skin;
  7. suffered stressful conditions;
  8. the presence of helminths in the body;
  9. inflammatory processes of the eyes.
If the circles are brown
  1. improper daily routine: fatigue, lack of sleep;
  2. unbalanced diet;
  3. side effects of certain medications;
  4. alcohol abuse, smoking;
  5. spending a long time at the computer and using gadgets;
  6. heredity;
  7. hormonal imbalance;
  8. allergic reaction to cosmetics;
  9. presence of liver and gallbladder diseases;
  10. disorders of the urinary and digestive systems;
  11. endocrine imbalance, diabetes;
  12. dysfunction of the circulatory system, thick blood;
  13. lack of vitamins and microelements.

Physiological reasons

There are many more reasons for dark circles that are not associated with a pathological condition of the body. Many factors have a negative impact on the skin, especially on such sensitive skin as under the eyes.

  1. State of mind. General depression, chronic depression, attacks of causeless anxiety do not have the best effect on appearance.
  2. Physiological characteristics of the body. Mainly heredity. Remember how things are with your closest relatives. Age also matters - the skin of the eyelids and the tissue underneath gradually become thinner, “showing” capillaries.
  3. Diet. 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.
  4. Lifestyle . Insufficient sleep duration has a very negative effect on the condition of the skin of the eyelids. Most people need 7–8 hours every day, but there are also people whose norm is significantly less or more. You only need to focus on your own body in this matter. Sleeping conditions are also important - lack of light, noise, room temperature, comfort of furniture, bedding, and so on. It is also important to be outdoors as often as possible. It is advisable to combine this with physical activity, but simple walking at a moderate pace is also suitable. And at night it is very useful to ventilate the bedroom.
  5. Work and leisure. Dark grayish-brown circles appear most clearly in the late afternoon. Regular overwork, chronic stress, general fatigue, work related to the computer, and watching TV provoke stagnation of blood in the capillaries. Excess adrenaline in it provokes vasoconstriction. If your job requires you to strain your eyes all the time, the appearance of dark circles is almost inevitable.
  6. 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.
  7. Incorrect care. The eyelids are extremely sensitive and immediately respond to any “external aggression”. This could be hot and cold water, low-quality cosmetics, or incorrect application. Use only creams and cleansers intended for eyelids. Apply them with light pats of your fingers, without rubbing or stretching the skin. Leaving makeup on overnight is a strict taboo.

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.

Possible diseases

If all physiological causes are excluded, circles under the eyes indicate the presence of some disease. They must be accompanied by certain symptoms.

We list the possible diseases that cause circles under the eyes in women:

  1. Kidney diseases. The formation of circles is accompanied by the appearance of swelling and bags. Circles can be an indicator of infectious and non-infectious kidney damage. The disease is characterized by impaired renal function and fluid retention in the body. Since the kidneys remove toxins, metabolic products, and medications from the body, intoxication occurs when their functioning is disrupted. Most often, bags and dark spots appear in the morning.
  2. Liver dysfunction. Hyperpigmentation of the skin is observed, and it is most pronounced around the eyes. When an organ malfunctions, toxic substances accumulate and become intoxicated. Violations lead to an increase in the volume of bilirubin. The circles acquire an icteric tint, which depends on the degree of liver damage. Severe liver damage leads to jaundice throughout the face.
  3. Allergy. The circles can be caused by various allergens. In addition to circles, itching, redness, and swelling are possible. With constant contact with the allergen, circles are constantly observed as a symptom of atopic dermatitis.
  4. Anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin levels. B vitamins are poorly absorbed and there is a lack of iron. It often occurs in women during pregnancy, but with an improved diet and the use of appropriate medications, the indicators are restored to normal. With anemia, dark circles are permanent and do not go away after rest. The condition is accompanied by dizziness and shortness of breath. The skin turns pale, the eyes become sunken. Due to a decrease in the volume of oxygen supplied to organs and tissues, oxygen starvation is diagnosed.
  5. Diabetes. There is an increase in glucose levels in the blood due to an insufficient amount of insulin, or it is produced in an increased volume, but the tissues have an increased sensitivity to it. In such a situation, tissue nutrition is disrupted, which causes the formation of dark circles.
  6. Impaired blood circulation functions. Circles are especially common in chronic disorders. The body experiences venous stagnation (slow movement through the veins). Such signs characterize vegetative-vascular dystonia. This disease is a consequence of stressful shocks and pathological fatigue. There are disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system and deviations from the norm in the functioning of the heart.
  7. Inflammatory processes. Circles occur with conjunctivitis, blepharitis, which occurs with swelling of the eyelids, redness, and itching.
  8. Infection with worms. Only consultation with a specialist will help to establish the cause of the occurrence with accuracy.

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.

Diagnostics

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.

How to get rid of dark spots under the eyes

You can cure black spots under the eyes in the following ways:

  1. Drug treatment. Indicated in cases where a woman is diagnosed with a disease. Having cured the main ailment with the help of medications, the chance to overcome the “bruises” is very high.
  2. General strengthening of the body. These include: quality sleep, walks in the fresh air, lack of stress and bad habits, exercise, and so on. All these measures will not only greatly improve your appearance, but also significantly improve your health.
  3. Local influencing methods. Used in various beauty salons. To completely remove stains, procedures are carried out to tone the vessels (biorevitalization, mesotherapy, lipofilling and others). Professional makeup will also help disguise skin imperfections.
  4. Use of cosmetics.

If you cannot remove the “bruises” for some reason, they can be disguised with the help of cosmetics. Foundation will be a good helper. Concealers and BB creams also do a good job of concealing. These products fill wrinkles around the eyes well, even out skin color, and also moisturize and nourish it.

Vitamin C has a beneficial effect on the skin. This should be taken into account when choosing a face cream (the vitamin should be included in its composition).

Cosmetic procedures

If the cause of under eye rashes is not systemic infections, then you can limit yourself to cosmetic procedures. This refers to a genetic predisposition to hyperpigmentation of the skin around the eye socket.

Pay attention to effective procedures:

Name The essence Action Price, rub
Microcurrents Exposure of the skin to weak current pulses. Activation of regeneration processes, improvement of microcirculation, elimination of venous stagnation. 1500
Lipofilling of the tear trough Fat transfer to the area around the eyes. Smoothing wrinkles, eliminating dark circles. 80-100 thousand
Carboxytherapy Injection of a small amount of medicinal carbon dioxide under the skin. The surface layer of eyelid skin thickens, making the circles less noticeable. 1 thousand
Mesotherapy Injections of medicinal substances under the skin. Hyaluronic acid is often used. Removal of waste and toxins, rejuvenation, cell nutrition. 370 for 1 ml
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty Excision of excess skin. Elimination of drooping lower eyelid. 25 thousand
Dermotonia – vacuum facial massage Massage the skin of the face and neck. Improving lymphatic drainage, relieving swelling. 1 thousand

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.

Folk remedies

You can restore your skin condition using time-tested recipes. The best folk remedies for dark circles under the eyes that are easy to use at home:

  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. Infusion of herbs 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. Mask of sour cream and eggs. 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.

Diet Basics

A balanced diet is the key not only to good appearance, but also to overall health.

  1. include protein and plant foods in your diet. This will provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, and fiber will contribute to normal metabolism and the removal of toxic waste from the body;
  2. increase the consumption of foods that alkalize the body and thin the blood;
  3. include fiber-rich foods in your diet. This will help saturate the body with the necessary components and remove waste products and toxins;
  4. reduce consumption of salt, fried, spicy, smoked foods.
  5. drink enough liquid, vitamin teas, juices. In the morning, it is recommended to add lemon juice to a glass of water.

How to disguise circles at home?

If an annoying symptom appears on the eve of an important event and you need to quickly remove dark circles under the eyes, decorative cosmetics will come to the rescue - using a corrector or concealer, you can quickly and very efficiently disguise the darkening under the eyes. You can also use foundation, but keep in mind that when applied to dark skin it can become noticeable, so your usual tone may not suit you.

Today, ladies are offered to disguise circles under the eyes with the help of permanent tattooing of the paraorbital area. It is very important to choose an experienced specialist, otherwise the consequences of the procedure can be catastrophic.

In general, it is best to take care of your eye skin daily, applying nourishing cream and special eyelid products - then you will not have to suffer from the appearance of terrible bruises under your eyes.

Prevention

To prevent the appearance of circles under the eyes, you should adhere to a healthy lifestyle, get proper rest, spend more time in the fresh air, eat a balanced diet, take breaks when working at the computer, perform simple eye exercises and pay attention to other alarming symptoms in time, and if any appear – see a doctor on time.

Maria

I need good sleep to avoid dark circles. To care for the area around the eyes, I use Vegetable Beauty Serum with a phyto-complex, it just reduces puffiness and makes darkening around the eyes lighter