Dark Circle Advice

ALL ABOUT DARK CIRCLES FROM OUR SKIN & EYE EXPERTS

What are Dark Circles?

Brown Eye with Dark Circle
Dark circles are areas under the lower eyelids that can appear darker due to thinning, hollowing and drying out of the skin, causing the underlying blood vessels to show up and give a darkened appearance. The scientific term for dark circles under the eyes is periorbital hyperpigmentation.
 

What causes Dark Circles?

LACK OF SLEEP
Woman in bed unable to sleep
Oversleeping, extreme fatigue, or just staying up a few hours past your normal bedtime can cause the skin under the eyes to become dull and pale, allowing for the underlying dark tissues and blood vessels to show. Lack of sleep can also cause fluid to build underneath your eyes, causing them to appear puffy. As a result, the dark circles you see may actually be shadows cast by your puffy eyelids.
EYE STRAIN
Woman rubbing eye due to strain
Excessive Staring at your television or computer screen can cause significant strain on the muscles around your eyes (known as hypertrophy). This strain can cause blood vessels in the skin around the eyes to enlarge and show up, resulting in a darkened appearance. If your eyes have refractive errors (i.e. plus or minus numbers) not corrected by an eye specialist through spectacles or contact lenses, then the eye strain can be even greater leading to even more significant darkening of the skin.
STRESS
Man stressed out
Overthinking, mental exhaustion & fatigue can lead to lack of sleep, increased eye muscle movements, poor nutrition & drier skin can lead to dark circles, puffy eyes and eye bags.
DEHYDRATION
Man using towel to curve dehydration
Dehydration is a common cause of dark circles under your eyes. When your body is not receiving the proper amount of water, the skin beneath your eyes begins to look dull and your eyes look sunken and hollow. This is due to their proximity to the underlying bone.
AGE
Three generations of women posing
Natural ageing is another common cause of those dark circles beneath your eyes. As you get older, your skin becomes thinner. You also lose the fat and collagen needed to maintain your skin’s elasticity. As this occurs, the dark blood vessels beneath your skin become more visible, causing the area below your eyes to darken.
POOR DIET
Junk food causing dark circles
A diet that lacks vitamins particularly vitamin B12, E, K and D has been associated with dark circles as per scientific studies.
SMOKING
Individual smoking a cigarette
Smoking depletes your body’s stores of vitamin C, which is the vitamin responsible for creating healthy collagen in your skin. If you smoke, you may deal with issues like wrinkles, discolouration, and even under-eye bags and dark circles. Quitting smoking can gradually restore your body's stores of vitamin C which leads to increased collagen production in the skin, thereby reducing the chances of developing under-eye bags and dark circles.
SUN OVEREXPOSURE
Woman experiencing sun overexposure
Overexposure to the sun can cause your body to produce an excess of melanin, the pigment that provides your skin with colour. Too much sun — particularly for your eyes — can cause pigmentation in the surrounding skin to darken.
GENETICS
DNA Medical 3D illustration
Family history also plays a part in developing dark circles under your eyes. It can be an inherited trait seen early in childhood and may worsen as you age or slowly disappear. Predispositions to other medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, can also result in dark circles beneath your eyes. 
 

Reducing Dark Circles - What experts advise?

Using Lashfactor Under Eye Gel Serum as part of your daily skincare routine combined with following the below health & lifestyle advice is key to better reducing your dark circle problem and keeping the skin around the eyes healthy, hydrated and nourished. 
 
REGULAR EYE CHECKUPS
Woman having an eye test
Get your eyes checked by an eye specialist at least once a year to correct any refractive errors (plus or minus numbers) and advise you on how to reduce eye strain.
SLEEP & STRESS CONTROL
Woman sleeping in a bed
Get at least 7 to 8 hours of minimum sleep each night. Also, avoid oversleeping.  Adopt a daily Meditation and Yoga routine that would allow you to keep a calmer and cooler mind throughout the day and better manage stress.
 DAILY REHYDRATION
Man and Woman drinking water
Drink adequate water each day (at least 2.5 litres) to maintain an optimum level of hydration for your body and skin.
HEALTHY DIET
Individual eating a Mixed Salad
Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet rich in vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, K), minerals and soluble fibre. Eat at least 5 portions of fruits & vegetables a day.
SUN PROTECTION
A parasol in the sun
Wear an appropriate water-resistant sunscreen depending on your skin type and skin colour of SPF 30 or higher about 30 minutes before you head outdoors. Also, wear UV rays-blocking sunglasses that properly cover the eye area.

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