Dark Circles Under Eyes
Dark circles under your eyes can make you appear tired and older, even when you're well-rested. At Perfect Eyes Clinic in London, we offer tailored, non-surgical and surgical solutions to brighten and refresh the under-eye area.
What are Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?
Dark circles under your eyes occur when the skin below your eyes appears darkened, often in shades of blue, purple, brown, or black, depending on your skin tone. These circles can make you look tired or older than your actual age.
There are various potential reasons for dark under-eye circles, but they usually do not indicate a medical issue. Dark circles under your eyes are usually not a cause for concern, but they indicate a need for lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep patterns or dietary habits.
Causes of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
Dermatitis
Skin conditions like eczema and contact dermatitis can cause inflammation and make the blood vessels under your eyes more visible, leading to dark circles.
Rubbing Your Eyes
Constantly rubbing or scratching your eyes can cause the delicate skin around them to swell, break blood vessels, and create dark, puffy under-eyes.
Lack of Sleep
Inadequate sleep can make the skin under your eyes look paler, allowing underlying blood vessels to become more prominent and creating a darker appearance.
Hyperpigmentation
Overexposure to sunlight stimulates excess melanin production, leading to hyperpigmentation, which darkens the skin under your eyes and intensifies dark circles.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough water causes your skin to lose its natural glow, making the area under your eyes appear dull, dry, and more prone to darkness.
Lifestyle Factors
High stress levels, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption weaken skin health, leading to puffiness and dark under-eye circles that are hard to hide.
Genetics
Some people inherit a predisposition to dark circles, as their skin may naturally be thinner or more transparent, making blood vessels more noticeable.
Age
As you age, your skin loses collagen and elasticity, causing it to thin. This makes the blood vessels under your eyes more visible, leading to dark circles.
Allergies
Allergic reactions often cause inflammation and itching, encouraging individuals to rub their eyes more, which can result in puffiness, redness, and dark under-eye circles.
Sun Overexposure
Excessive sun exposure can damage skin cells, leading to premature ageing, pigmentation issues, and the appearance of darker skin under the eyes.
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Treatments for Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
Autologous ExosomesTixel uses thermal energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin around the eyes, whilst ASCE exosomes effectively reduce dark circles and improve skin texture. This non-invasive treatment requires minimal downtime and offers natural, gradual results.Learn more
Tear Trough FillersTear trough fillers restore lost volume, reducing dark circles and under-eye hollows. This painless, nonsurgical procedure offers long-lasting results, leaving you with a fresher, more youthful appearance.Learn more
PolynucleotidesPolynucleotides reduce dark circles and discolouration by repairing blood vessels and stimulating collagen production. This painless procedure offers natural, gradual results with minimal downtime.Learn more
Lower Lid BlepharoplastyLower eyelid blepharoplasty removes excess skin and fat, reducing eye bags and the appearance of dark circles. This scar-free procedure smooths the under-eye area, with results lasting up to 10 years.Learn more
Meet the Expert: Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai
MS, FRCS (Ed) Ophth
Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai, MS, FRCS (Ed) Ophth is a multi-award-winning Oculoplastic Reconstructive Surgeon and Aesthetic Practitioner specialising in reconstructive, revisional, and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, as well as non-surgical treatments for the eyes and face. With 25 years of surgical and 17 years of non-surgical experience, she is globally recognised for her pioneering, minimally invasive techniques.
Named in Tatler’s Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide every year since 2019, she is known as the “go-to” surgeon for discerning patients seeking subtle, natural results, and is highly sought after for revisional procedures by those who have undergone previous fillers or eyelid surgeries.
- Listed on the Royal College of Surgeons of England register of Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeons
- Listed in Tatler’s Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide as a top practitioner for eyes, eight consecutive years, 2019-2026
- 25 years of surgical and 17 years of non-surgical experience
Frequently asked questions
Call or email us today, we would be delighted to answer your questions.
- You can try using cold compresses, caffeine eye products, or makeup to temporarily reduce dark circles. Protecting your skin from the sun and getting enough sleep can also help prevent dark circles from getting worse. For longer-lasting results, treatments like Polynucleotides or Tear Trough Fillers can help.
- Dark circles can be caused by a deficiency in vitamins E, D, K, A, and B12. Additionally, a lack of iron can also be a root cause of dark circles.
- Drinking enough water can improve blood flow and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Staying hydrated also helps to maintain the elasticity of the skin and reduce the prominence of under-eye dark circles.
- Dark circles may come and go. How long they last depends on various factors, such as lifestyle and genetics.
- Yes, vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes and make the area look brighter.
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