Which Kind Of Deficiencies Cause Dark Circles?

By Kripal Negi

Reviewed by : Jalaz Jain

February 24, 2023

Dark circles under the eyelids are commonly found in men and women. It can appear dark brown, purple, or black as per the skin tone. It can make your eyes look puffy and baggy, affecting your look.

The eyelid skin is one of the thinnest and most fragile body parts. No oil glands are available in the eyelid’s skin, making it susceptible to developing dark circles, shadows or rings. The reasons for dark circles include the absence of subcutaneous tissue and lack of supportive cells below the eyelid skin as compared to other skin makes it more prone to damage. Ageing, pollution and deficiency cause dark circles , and the skin’s elasticity decreases. Collagen protein deficiency causes dark circles.

Causes behind dark circles

Reasons for dark circles are caused due to several factors and can also be a symptom of an underlying disease. Improper kidney functioning with high glucose levels is one of the reasons for dark circles . There are some vitamins whose deficiency causes dark circles in certain cases. Some of the primary causes are:

Iron deficiency: One of the common reasons for dark circles is low levels of iron in the diet. It can cause the veins in the skin to become more prominent. As per a study, anaemia, dark circles vitamin deficiency are the reasons behind 50% of dark circles issues.

Eyestrain: Watching a computer screen or television for long durations can strain the eyes resulting in the bulging of the veins surrounding the eyelid and darkening.

Ageing: Ageing is one of the main causes of dark circles, which is beyond our control. With age, the skin loses elasticity due to lesser collagen production. It can make the blood vessels appear superficially.

Sun exposure: Excessive sun exposure without sufficient protection can induce melanin production. It can cause the darkening of the skin.

Allergies: Allergies and lack of hydration can cause darkness around the eyes. Due to any allergy, the body produces more histamines to react to foreign bodies. It can result in itchiness, redness, and swelling of the eyes. The excess histamine can also result in dilation of the blood vessels, thus making it more apparent. Allergies can make the eyelids itchier, resulting in further inflammation and damage. It creates shadows beneath the eyes.

Genetics: Your genes play an important role in developing dark skin around your eyes. You might notice subtle signs of shadows surrounding your eyes in your childhood. It gradually increases with age or might disappear too. Chronic medical conditions such as the thyroid can also worsen dark circles.

Sleep: Improper sleep routine is a major cause of dark circles. The body heals during sleep, and if that is not done properly, you will see signs of tiredness. The blood flows to the skin cells and nourishes them, making them glowy and fresh. Sleep deprivation is evident, with dullness leading to puffiness and darkening of blood vessels. Irregular sleep patterns can also lead to fluid accumulation in the body. Improper blood circulation and accumulation of deoxygenated blood would further worsen the dark circles.

Some of the home remedies to treat dark circles are:

Proper sleep: The first step to healing your dark circles is to rest sufficiently. A sleep of 7 to 8 hours would show a major difference in the visibility of the dark circles.

Cold compress: Using a cold compress on the eyelids helps constrict the blood vessels, thus reducing their appearance. The cold compress would also result in decreased puffiness, thus reducing the appearance of dark circles. Use a few ice cubes wrapped in cloth for 10 to 15 minutes.

Teabags: Teabags are rich in caffeine, antioxidants and biochemical compounds, which would boost blood flow and shrink the blood vessels and puffiness in the eyes. You can use two to three bags of green or black tea in hot water, refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes and then use it on your eyes. Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and wash off your eyes with cold water to reduce your dark circles.

Sleeping posture: While sleeping, keep your head in an elevated position to avoid fluid accumulation in the eye region.

Moisturisers: Use hydrating moisturisers and humectants to support the lack of hydration in your body. Moisturisers containing caffeine, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and retinol boost cell turnover while supporting the skin. They would show results with regular usage.

Balanced diet : One of the ways to tackle dark circles vitamin deficiency is by eating a balanced diet. Include all the green and colourful vegetables to boost your vitamin and nutrient levels and thus avoid dark circles and vitamin deficiency.

Eye-cream: Various night eye creams are available to reduce the dark. It works by hydrating and smoothing the skin around the eyes.

Use makeup: The right concealer shade completely blends with the typical skin colour and helps hide dark circles. Going through any other topical treatment or makeup increases the chances of irritation or allergic reactions. If there are any side effects, consult your doctor or dermatologists.

Follow all these steps, and you will notice a gradual change in your dark circles. Having a healthy diet, sleeping properly, and keeping yourself hydrated are important. Staying healthy impacts your skin.

Home remedies are generally temporary options, and if you stop them, there are chances that your dark circles may come back. For more permanent results, one can choose medical treatments.

However, one should always remember that dark circles are not something that needs to be fixed. One can leave them as it is, and nothing is wrong with that. There is no pressure to look for a permanent solution.

Some of the permanent medical treatments are:

Reducing skin pigmentation by using chemical peels.

Laser surgery tends to resurface and tighten the skin.

Medical tattoos inject pigment that makes the skin area thin.

Concealing blood vessels and melanin by using tissue fillers. Melanin causes skin discolouration under the eyes.

The fat removal process removes unnecessary fat and skin and develops smoother skin.

Surgical implants of synthetic materials

Carboxytherapy increases the blood flow under the eye and reduces dark circles.

These are some of the medical treatments that can help to reduce dark circles and show better results. However, you must consult your doctor before undergoing any medical treatment. These treatments can be expensive. Other than that, they can be painful too, and recovery takes a longer period.

Conclusion

Dark circles have become too common a concern for this generation. There can be various causes for this issue. In some cases, it also indicates a weakening of eyesight. At the same time, some dark circles are caused due to lack of proper sleep or a sign of ageing. It can also be genetics.

One need not get alarmed because of dark circles. One should always be confident of their looks. However, various home remedies and medical treatments are available to reduce dark circles.

If you want a doctor to consult about dark circles, visit Ujala Cygnus Hospital now. You can receive an effective and correct diagnosis and treatment of the condition. So book your appointment with some of the best doctors or dermatologists at Ujala Cygnus Hospital.

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