Dr. Snigdha Singh. Photo courtesy of Family Medical Practice

Dr. Snigdha Singh*

What are dark circles?

It is the darkening of the skin around the eyes which is a common skin problem seen in every age group in both men and women.

Why am I getting dark circles?

The reasons for getting dark circles could be due to genetic reasons, a lack of sleep, stress, straining your eyes, sun exposure, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, or anaemia.

Dark circles are a common skin problem seen in every age group in both men and women. Photo Shutterstock.com

How to know: If you stretch the skin beneath your eye, the area will still look slightly darker compared to other parts of your skin, then it indicates the above-mentioned causes.

Thinning of the skin causes prominent-looking blood vessels, most commonly due to over-the-counter use of steroid-based creams.

How to know: If you stretch the under-eye skin, the dark-violet tint will be even more prominent as the skin will be thinned out even further.

Presence of fluid under the skin (eye bags/puffy eyes) can be due to various medical reasons including liver and kidney problems.

How to know: It is not difficult to detect the swelling. However, the swelling can also be due to the presence of fats in this area. There are certain clinical tests by which doctors can differentiate between the two.

Ageing can present itself as tears through depression, losing fat tissue around the eye causing a shadow effect which gives an appearance of a dark circle. When looked at from a distance, wrinkles may give an appearance of darkness too due to the local shadow effect.

*Smoking can accelerate the ageing process.

How to know: The darkness is markedly reduced when the skin is stretched.

What is the best way to treat dark circles?

When it comes to treating dark circles, there are many options available. Starting with lifestyle changes that not only improve the appearance of dark circles but also benefit your overall health.

· A good night’s sleep – Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. A relaxing bedtime routine including reading, meditation, or soothing music can help you fall asleep faster.

· Staying hydrated – Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and avoid dehydrating drinks like coffee, alcohol, and soda. Drinking water can also help reduce puffiness and inflammation around the eyes.

· Healthy diet including fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C.

· Quit smoking.

· Protecting your eyes from the sun.

· Taking frequent breaks while working on laptops or mobile phones.

· Cold compresses – can help to reduce inflammation and shrink blood vessels around the eyes, providing a short-term firming of the skin. It can also reduce redness and cause your pores to contract.

How to choose my under-eye cream?

· Niacinamide , Vitamin -C or Kojic acid based creams to reduce pigmentation.

· Peptide-based creams to boost collagen.

· Caffeine-based creams to reduce puffiness.

· Retinol-based creams to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

· Hyaluronic acid-based creams for hydration.

· Green tea extract-based creams to prevent sun damage.

Looking for quick and long-term results?

· Chemical peels – Mild surface-level peels such as arginine or lactic acid peels are recommended to remove superficial layers of the skin, giving you fresh new skin.

· Platelet Rich Plasma therapy – PRP therapy has gained significant popularity in recent years as the material is prepared from your own blood and no external chemical is used.

· Laser resurfacing: encourages new skin growth that is brighter, with less pigmentation & wrinkles, firmer than the previous layer.

· Dermal fillers: add volume and lift the skin from the bone and above the blood vessels to lighten the skin and decrease the appearance of dark circles, fillers will also decrease wrinkles.

So if you have read this far, you now probably have a good understanding of the various reasons behind dark circles and treatment approaches. Rest assured, most dark circles are usually harmless and disappear when the underlying cause is taken care of. However, if it is persistent you might want to get it checked by a dermatologist.

Family Medical Practice

* Dr. Snigdha Singh studied a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and a masters in Dermatology.

She specialises in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of skin disorders for both adults and children.

She can also advise on numerous skin cosmetic conditions and treating benign skin disorders by RF cautery, Cryosurgery and minor surgery as indicated.

Visit Family Medical Practice Hanoi 24/7 at 298I P. Kim Mã, Kim Mã, Ba Đình. To book an appointment, please call us at (024).3843.0784, or contact us via Whatsapp, Viber or Zalo on +84.944.43.1919 or email hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com.

FMP’s downtown location in Hồ Chí Minh is in Diamond Plaza, 34 Đ. Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé, District 1, and 95 Đ. Thảo Điền, District 2. Tel. (028) 3822 7848 or email hcmc@vietnammedicalpractice.com.