Dark Eye Circle

What causes dark eye circle?

Shadow from tear trough deformity, sunken structure, excessive sagging skin and venous congestion are amongst the recognisable factors. Venous congestion caused by aging, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis are notoriously resistant to treatment. Combination of several factors are commonly seen which can further complicate the successful treatment. It is also importantly to note that dark eye circle is further exacerbated by thinning of the skin around the eyes, therefore, skin integrity must be check before initiation of any treatment.

What are the treatments available?

Treatment is individually tailored according to the specific aetiology. Hyaluronic acid is administered for filling up the sunken area; lasers are useful to lighten the pigment and smoothen out sagging skin. Venous congestion can be improved with topical medicine and combination of Long Pulsed Nd:YAG and Erbium:YAG lasers. It is important to note that topical cream either prescriptive or non-prescriptive will need several months to see the improvement, if any.

Is there anything else I should do?

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration; lead a healthy lifestyle of getting good rest and maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet; avoid excessive intake of caffeinated drink and alcohol. The application of sliced vegetables and fruits such as cucumber or homemade mask have not been proven to improve the condition.