Dark circles – why do I have them, how do I get rid of them?

Dark circles are unpleasant and disturbing – this will be confirmed by anyone who has already been affected by these swellings under the eyes. As the name suggests, dark circles are clearly visible shadows. They are therefore often perceived as unattractive and annoying.

But are dark circles and other dark shadows around the eye area really due to a pure lack of sleep? Do creams help to soften dark circles around the eyes or are there other remedies to prevent swelling and dark shadows in the eye area?

These questions cannot always be answered with a clear yes or no. Because while lack of sleep is a common cause of acutely occurring dark circles, they can also be congenital or a result of aging.

Whether creams or other care products help depends on various factors. So if dark circles, puffiness and dark shadows are a topic that concerns you, then you should read on. We go into detail on the subject and explain what you can do if the eye area has dark shadows even if you are not sleep deprived.

What are dark circles?

Dark circles are in most cases a purely cosmetic problem. They usually make themselves felt as dark shadows under the eye. Swollen eyes can also be part of the appearance of the dark circles in some cases. There are several possible reasons for tired and swollen eyes.

The dark shadows under the eye are usually a result of fatigue and rarely indicate a serious illness. Just like swollen eyes, they like to appear after a night that is too short or too drunk, or even after a day full of tears.

However, dark circles affect men just as often as women. So there are no differences, either statistically or in terms of impact, when dark circles affect men or women. However, there are differences in terms of age: dark circles are often associated with advancing age.

The same applies to swollen eyes or lacrimal sacs: With age, the connective tissue relaxes, so that the natural fat deposits under the eyes emerge and look like swollen eyes.

In general, dark circles as well as swollen eyes are often a visible sign that the body needs recovery. Take these signs seriously and treat yourself to the necessary rest. If the dark circles do not improve, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist.

Causes of dark circles – where do these dark circles come from?

The cause of dark circles can be versatile. Both the skin area and the subcutaneous fatty tissue are very thin in the eye area. The thin skin makes it possible for the underlying blood vessels to shine through.

In most cases, this shining through is the cause of visible dark circles. The reasons for this can be very different. Most often, they include one or more of the following:

• Lack of sleep, fluids or iron
• Alcohol, tobacco or drug use
• Renal or thyroid disorders

Occasionally, however, dark circles and lacrimal sacs can also be hereditary. However, hyperpigmentation can also be considered as a cause of dark circles.

Hyperpigmentation is when the skin is overly pigmented. If the skin around the eye is affected by hyperpigmentation, this usually manifests itself in the form of blue or blue-grey dark circles.

Allergic reactions, on the other hand, are not a common cause of the formation of dark circles. They are more likely to lead to puffy eyes that can look like bags of tears. This can be remedied by specific medicines or care products.

If you regularly have dark circles or want to do something about annoying lacrimal sacs, it is best to consult an ophthalmologist. They can recommend the right care products or take further steps if necessary.

In any case, pay attention to the doctor’s recommendations here. The wrong care products can in turn cause allergic reactions themselves and are therefore counterproductive. By the way, even if you have particularly thin skin or susceptible subcutaneous fatty tissue, the doctor may recommend the right treatment.

What deficiency in dark circles?

Which deficiency is present in dark circles is to be assessed individually and therefore has just as different causes. In addition to those already mentioned, such as little sleep, dark circles around the eyes can also be caused by a lack of fluid.

If there is too little sleep, it is of course best to catch up and give the body some rest in general. This way you can get rid of the dark circles.

Vitamin deficiency or iron deficiency as a cause of dark circles

But an underactive thyroid gland can also be a possible cause of dark circles. In addition to an underactive thyroid gland, vitamin or iron deficiencies can also lead to dark circles or a pale area of skin around the eye.

Since a severe iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, chronic exhaustion, concentration disorders and chronic mood disorders, dark circles are only the logical consequence.

In addition to iron deficiency, a lack of vitamin C often plays a role in the formation of dark circles. In order to avoid or at least minimize dark circles and lacrimal sacs, attention should therefore be paid to the absorption of sufficient iron and vitamin C.

Vitamin C strengthens blood vessels and improves blood flow, so that eye shadows appear significantly brighter. An eye cream that contains vitamin C can be a proven remedy here. It is best to check with your ophthalmologist for a suitable product.

Getting rid of dark circles – what helps against dark circles?

What helps against dark circles and how to get rid of them now also depends on the cause. If you have a predisposition to dark spots or shadows around the eyes with your skin type, this can sometimes be a bit annoying. You can cover the dark circles and put make-up away.

If you want to do something about dark circles in the long term, it is advisable to see a doctor. Sometimes an eye cream (e.g. jasmine ointment) can help if you want to remove dark circles. Depending on the predisposition and cause, it may also be necessary to inject the dark circles under the eyes.

You can find out what you can do about dark circles and whether an eye cream is sufficient or whether further steps are necessary in the following paragraphs.

What to do about dark circles – tips & home remedies

Can dark circles disappear again? Yes, because very often dark circles are simply a sign of fatigue and too little sleep. This is good news, because it means that you can get rid of them with relatively simple means and there is no need for elaborate treatment.

While some treat dark circles with cosmetics or a cream, others rely on home remedies such as cucumber slices or tea bags.

Cucumber slices actually help: Cucumbers contain a lot of water as well as vitamins and minerals. So when you put slices of cucumber on the eyes and the sensitive skin underneath, they hydrate and soothe them.

Tea bags made from black tea are also a proven remedy: the tannins contained in black tea have a calming effect if you simply place a softened tea bag on your eyes.

Other home remedies and simple tricks to help if you don’t have cucumbers, black tea, or a cream against dark circles at home include:

• Caffeine: Caffeine not only wakes you up, it can also tighten your skin. The dark circles also disappear as the blood vessels under the eyes contract.
• Potatoes: Potatoes have anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing and bleaching ingredients that can help against dark circles. Either a mixture of finely grated potatoes and water or thicker potato slices placed on the eyes are suitable for this.

In general, however, you should not forget that three things in particular help if you want to get rid of dark circles without treatment: sleep, exercise and a balanced diet.

Laminate dark circles

The question: “Are dark circles dangerous?” can be answered with a clear no. However, if you constantly discover dark shadows in your eyes, this can sometimes indicate kidney disease and you should definitely consult a doctor.

You can also easily get rid of eye shadows and dark circles – with a little make-up: for example, apply a concealer if you want to get rid of eye shadows or cover dark circles. Translucent vessels are often the cause of eye shadow.

Especially with a light skin tone, the blood vessels that shine through the thin skin around the eyes can be slightly more visible and make themselves felt as dark circles. The right concealer can do a good job of concealing blood vessels that shine through and covering dark circles.

The same applies to wrinkles. But even such a case is not a cause for concern – with the right make-up, you can successfully “treat” both wrinkles and eye shadows caused by them – even if only in the short term.

Prevent shadows in my eyes

Recurring dark circles and shadows under the eyes can sometimes be quite stressful. Especially people with light or pale skin know: dark circles simply stand out better if the skin has a certain skin tone. But even sensitive skin or skin aging can bring out dark circles more clearly.

Therefore, even with too much UV radiation, caution is required: this is known to contribute to skin aging. So if you expose yourself to regular UV radiation in the solarium, for example, you can also develop dark circles with the accompanying aging of the skin.

However, there are certainly remedies that can be used quite easily against dark circles under the eyes, whether sensitive skin or not. This requires no injection of hyaluronic acid at all. Proper skin care is often enough, for example a cream with hyaluron as an ingredient.

In addition, a balanced diet and sufficient fluid intake helps to prevent dark circles. This prevents deficiencies as well as dry skin, which in turn is more susceptible to aging and its side effects.

Conclusion: What can be done about dark circles?

In order to prevent or counteract dark circles, it is often enough to change some habits of daily life. However, in rare cases, there may also be other causes of dark circles and shadows in the eye area.

A specialist can quickly find out whether the dark circles are caused by too dry, sensitive or tender skin and can be treated with the right eye care.

As an expert in ophthalmology, you are in the right place with ophthalmologist Ms. Doctor-medic Bányai and your team. Please make an appointment today to discuss your questions, concerns or complaints with a specialist.

What are other eye problems that occur frequently?

• Burning
• Gluing
• Eye pain up to eye migraine
• Weakening of the connective tissue (“lacrimal sacs”)
• Barley grain
• Inflammation of the edge of the eyelid
• Irritated eyes with itching (herpes on the eye)
• Sensitivity to light
• Tearing eyes or increased tear production
• Blurred vision
• Redness of the eyelids (eye twitching)
• Dry eyes after surgery
• Constant pressure on the eyes
• Red eyes and/or inflammation of the conjunctiva
• Eye secretion
• Yellow Eyes

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