Dermatologist debunks causes and treatments of dark circles
21 Jun 2022 --- Sao Paulo-based dermatologist reveals that the main contributors to dark circles are stress, aging and frequent unprotected sun exposure. Contrary to popular belief, not enough sleep is not the only cause of dark circles while it does enhance the appearance.
“Dark circles can still arise due to vascular issues, genetics and even as a result of the aging process. To understand which treatment is most effective in each case, it is necessary to identify the type of dark circles for each person individually and pin down the main causes,” states Dr. Marcus Morais.
Four circle types
There are four different classifications of dark circles, Morais explains: pigmented, vascular, structural, and mixed type.
Pigmentary dark circles are caused by excess melanin in the eye area, also known as hyperpigmentation. It results in brownish tones and usually darker skin tones are affected by this.
Vascular dark circles are the result of fluid retention or circulatory problems. Poor blood circulation and transparent skin under the eyes are common contributors.
Caused by the bone and fat anatomy of a person’s face, structural dark circles are present when the region below the eyes is “deeper” than the surrounding areas because this leads to a darkening effect due to the shadow cast by the unevenness.
Mixed dark circles are a combination of the aforementioned types, and usually, genetics, vessel accumulation, allergies or fat bags are contributors.
The main contributors to dark circles are stress, aging and frequent unprotected sun exposure.The tricks and treatments
Dr. Marcus explains that any daily skincare routine can be complemented with cold water compresses, the use of protective sunscreen, and good nutrition. Alcohol and salt intake are frequently responsible for an increase in swelling in the region associated with sagging, he says.
“A while ago, those who had dark circles, sagging and bags under the eyes needed to resort to very invasive surgeries. Currently, there are non-surgical aesthetic procedures capable of alleviating these annoyances, as well as cosmetics aimed at the eye area,” comments the dermatologist.
“This is the case with Restylane Refyne, a filler based on hyaluronic acid, and the renewing serum for the eye area from the Cetaphil Optimal Hydration line.”
Restylane is said to have several injectable hyaluronic acid textures that cater to each need. In the case of deep, structural dark circles, Morais argues that Restylane Refyne is the most suitable, as it can be applied in areas where the skin is more delicate: for example the eye area.
He states that the results look natural, the skin looks and feels flexible and facial expressions can be preserved and that it lasts one year.
Restylane is, however, a product used in non-surgical aesthetic operations. This means that a qualified industry professional, who can evaluate the patient and identify the best treatment for each specific case, should perform this procedure in the office.
For something that can be used more regularly and on a day-to-day basis, Morais recommends using the Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Renewing Serum for the eye area. It is a hydrating serum that increases firmness where necessary, smooths fine wrinkles of expression, and significantly reduces dark circles and texture lines, he concludes.
Edited by Mieke Meintjes
