Dark circles under the eyes are a common change that can cause concern for many people. However, they are not a single condition resulting from one cause, but can be produced by different reasons and multiple factors. Therefore, the choice of treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause of the dark circles and recognizing the factors that can be addressed to reduce their appearance or alleviate them.

First: What are the causes of dark circles under the eyes?

1. Pigmented Dark Circles

The skin contains a pigment called melanin, which is responsible for a large part of the skin color. When the production of this pigment increases or accumulates in the skin, the area around the eye may become darker than the surrounding areas.

These pigments can be associated with several factors, including:

• Genetic factors: Some people may have a genetic predisposition to the appearance of pigmentation around the eye.
• Exposure to sunlight: Ultraviolet rays can stimulate the production of melanin, increasing pigmentation or making it more noticeable.
• Sensitivity, skin inflammation, and rubbing the eyes: Allergies can cause itching and inflammation around the eye, prompting the person to rub their eyes frequently. With repeated itching, inflammation, and rubbing, pigmentation may appear, making the area around the eye darker.

2. Vascular Dark Circles

Dark circles may appear blue, purple, or grayish when the blood vessels under the skin become more visible. This is related to the nature of the skin around the eye, which is relatively thin, with superficial blood vessels underneath. Therefore, when the skin thickness decreases or its texture changes, these vessels may become more visible, making the area around the eye appear darker.

What is the role of collagen?

Collagen is a basic protein in the dermis, the layer under the epidermis, and contributes to supporting the skin's structure, maintaining its strength and elasticity. Sometimes, the amount of collagen may decrease, and its organization may change, affecting skin thickness and elasticity, and making the blood vessels underneath more visible.

Factors that may accelerate collagen deterioration or affect skin health include aging, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, smoking, and oxidative stress.

Vasodilation

Dark circles may become more visible in some cases of allergies and inflammation, as these conditions can lead to vasodilation and increased vascular permeability. For example, nasal or eye allergies can cause congestion and fluid accumulation around the eye, which may increase the visibility of dark circles due to changes in light reflection and shadows in this area.

3. Structural Dark Circles

In some cases, the dark color under the eye is not due to increased pigmentation or visibility of blood vessels, but due to the shape of the area around the eye and the resulting shadows that make it appear darker.

These shadows occur due to the difference in skin surface level between elevated and depressed areas; when light falls on the area, the depressed parts may appear darker than the surrounding areas, even in the absence of skin pigmentation.

These shadows may be associated with changes that occur in the lower eyelid with aging, or with puffiness under the eye, and you can learn more through the articles: Changes in the lower eyelid with aging and Puffiness under the eyes.

4. Hemosiderin or Bruising

Dark color may appear around the eye after exposure to a blow or injury, or after lower eyelid surgery and some cosmetic procedures. Recent bruises are usually temporary and change color gradually with recovery. However, in some cases, the discoloration may persist due to the deposition of hemosiderin, a substance produced from the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Second: Factors that may increase the visibility of dark circles

1. Oxidative Stress

The skin is exposed daily to factors such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution, and smoking, which can lead to increased oxidative stress, an imbalance between oxidized molecules and antioxidants in the body.

Oxidative stress may contribute to increased pigmentation and effects on collagen, which may make dark circles more visible.

2. Lack of sleep and fatigue

Lack of sleep and fatigue can make dark circles more visible, and may be accompanied by eyelid puffiness and paleness of the face, which can increase the contrast between the area around the eye and the rest of the face. It is essential to understand that lack of sleep is not necessarily the primary cause of dark circles, but it can increase the visibility of existing dark circles.

3. Dry skin

Dry skin can make dark circles more visible; decreased hydration of the skin's surface layer can accentuate fine lines and depressions under the eye, increasing the visibility of shadows in this area.

It is crucial to differentiate between body dryness and lack of hydration in the skin's surface layer; they are not the same thing. Also, drinking extra water is not a proven treatment for chronic dark circles in people who get enough fluids.

Third: How can dark circles under the eyes be treated?

The treatment of dark circles depends on the underlying cause of their appearance, and a person may need more than one treatment method if they have a combination of skin pigmentation, skin thinness, and anatomical changes. Not every treatment suits all cases; topical products that help alleviate pigmentation may not be effective in treating dark circles caused by visible blood vessels or shadows resulting from the depression under the eye.

1. Topical treatments (creams and products)

Topical treatments are used in the form of creams or products applied directly to the skin around the eye. There are several active ingredients that enter into the composition of these products, and each has a different role depending on the type of dark circles, product composition, concentration, and skin tolerance.

These products can target several aspects, including:

• Hydrating the skin and improving its texture.
• Helping to alleviate some types of pigmentation.
• Providing antioxidant protection.
• Improving the appearance of fine lines and skin quality.
• Temporarily