The different types of dark circles: causes, solutions and effective treatments
Dark circles under the eyes are a common problem that affects many people, regardless of their age or lifestyle. They can make you look tired, aged, or dull your face. But did you know that not all dark circles are the same and do not have the same causes? To treat them properly, it is essential to understand their origin and type. This article offers you a scientific and educational exploration of the different types of dark circles, their causes and the solutions to reduce them effectively.
What is a dark circle? A biological explanation
Dark circles form under the eyes, where the skin is particularly thin and fragile, with a thickness of about 0.5 mm (compared to 2 mm on the rest of the face). This fragility makes the area more likely to reveal abnormalities such as an accumulation of pigment, blood congestion or even sagging skin.
Underneath this thin layer of skin are many blood and lymph vessels. When these vessels are dilated or congested, or when melanin pigments build up, the area can appear darker. Dark circles can also result from sagging tissues that accentuate the sunken appearance under the eyes.
The different types of dark circles
There are several types of dark circles, and each has a different origin. Knowing them helps you better understand how to treat them.
1. Vascular (or blue) circles
- Appearance: Bluish, sometimes purplish, these dark circles form following blood congestion under the eyes.
- Causes: Vascular dark circles are caused by poor blood and lymphatic circulation under the eyes. When blood stagnates in the blood vessels, it oxidizes, giving this bluish color. This type of dark circles is often accentuated by fatigue, stress, and lack of sleep, which slow down lymphatic drainage. Light easily passes through the thin skin of the under-eye area, which amplifies the appearance of the color of the vessels.
- Solutions:
- Massage and lymphatic drainage: By stimulating microcirculation with a gentle massage under the eyes, you can improve drainage and reduce congestion. Accessories such as rollers or cryo spoons can be used to help drain fluids.
- Specific care: Opt for eye contours containing vasoconstrictor ingredients such as caffeine, which narrows blood vessels and reduces their visibility.
- Sleep and Hydration: Getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water helps maintain optimal blood and lymph circulation.
2. Pigmented (or brown) circles
- Appearance: Brownish or brown, they are more common in people with dark or matte skin.
- Causes: Dark circles are caused by hyperpigmentation under the eyes. They result from excessive production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. Sun exposure, hormonal disorders, or chronic inflammation can exacerbate this melanin production, intensifying the color of the dark circles.
- Solutions:
- Depigmenting care: Use products containing active ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide that can help lighten pigmentation. Ingredients like tranexamic acid and arbutin are also effective against hyperpigmentation.
- Sun protection: UV exposure worsens hyperpigmentation, so it is essential to apply sun protection around the eyes to avoid accentuating dark circles.
- Mild peels: Superficial peels using mild acids (such as mandelic or glycolic acid) can help exfoliate and lighten the pigmented area.
3. Hollow (or anatomical) dark circles
- Appearance: Hollowed out, giving a shadow effect under the eyes.
- Causes: Hollow dark circles are mainly due to a loss of volume under the eyes. This loss can be linked to genetics or aging, which leads to a decrease in fat and collagen in this area. This hollowing accentuates the shadows under the eyes, giving the illusion of pronounced dark circles. Thinning of the skin also makes the vessels more visible, accentuating the appearance of dark circles.
- Solutions:
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid injections are a common solution to fill in these hollow dark circles, restoring volume under the eyes and reducing the shadow effect.
- Plumping skincare: Using skincare rich in hyaluronic acid and peptides can help to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of hollow dark circles.
4. Dark circles linked to sagging skin
- Appearance: Folds of skin under the eyes, often associated with bags.
- Causes: As we age, the skin under our eyes loses elasticity due to a decrease in collagen and elastin. This sagging skin leads to fine lines and puffiness, which can intensify the appearance of dark circles.
- Solutions:
- Firming treatments: Creams rich in botox-like peptides and vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production and firm the skin.
- LED Light (Red and Infrared): Photobiomodulation with red and infrared wavelengths (633 nm and 830 nm) can stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness.
- Massage and drainage: Bags associated with water retention can be reduced with regular massage and lymphatic drainage techniques.
Causes of Dark Circles: Understanding the Triggers
Dark circles are often caused by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Here are the main causes:
1. Genetic factors
Some people are simply genetically predisposed to having dark circles, particularly due to their skin type. Those with thin, fair skin or darker skin, which is prone to hyperpigmentation, are particularly vulnerable.
2. Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep or poor sleep disrupts microcirculation and slows lymphatic drainage, which accentuates vascular dark circles. In addition, the body releases less cortisol during poor quality sleep, which can cause dilation of the vessels under the eyes, making dark circles more visible.
3. Dehydration
A lack of hydration makes the skin thinner, accentuating the visibility of blood vessels under the eyes. Internal and external hydration is crucial to maintain the suppleness of the skin.
4. Stress and fatigue
Chronic stress increases the production of cortisol, a hormone that affects blood circulation, creating darker, more pronounced dark circles.
5. Age and skin aging
Over time, the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid decreases, leading to a loss of firmness and volume, accentuating dark circles, especially hollow circles and those linked to sagging skin.
6. UV exposure
UV rays increase the production of melanin and contribute to the appearance of dark circles, particularly in people with dark skin.
###sunscreen-spf-30-moisturizing-non-greasy-very-high-protection###Solutions to reduce dark circles: combining care and lifestyle
To treat dark circles, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that combines cosmetic care, massage techniques, and a healthy lifestyle.
1. Targeted care
Use targeted treatments adapted to the nature of your dark circles. For vascular dark circles, choose eye contours based on caffeine, green tea extract or witch hazel, known for their vasoconstrictive and decongestant effects. For pigmented dark circles, opt for treatments containing vitamin C, niacinamide , arbutin or tranexamic acid , which help to lighten pigmentation.
If you have dark circles under your eyes or signs of sagging skin, choose serums and creams enriched with hyaluronic acid, peptides or retinol, which will plump the skin and stimulate collagen production, such as the Intense Eye Contour Treatment .
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2. Massage and lymphatic drainage
Incorporating massage gestures into your skincare routine can make a huge difference for vascular dark circles and puffiness. These massages stimulate microcirculation and promote lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness and improving blood circulation under the eyes.
Tools like jade rollers, or cooling alloy rollers like the Facial Massager and Drainer Roller or Cryotherapy Spoons , or even a simple manual massage with your fingers can help decongest the area. Use gentle movements from the inside out, while applying light pressure.
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3. Photobiomodulation: LED light to strengthen the skin
The 633 nm (red) and 830 nm (infrared) wavelengths, which have been widely documented scientifically, are particularly effective in treating dark circles associated with skin aging. Red light stimulates collagen production, firms the skin and improves its elasticity, while infrared light helps with deep cellular regeneration.
These photobiomodulation sessions can be performed at home using specific devices or by a professional. They are ideal for preventing and reducing dark circles, sagging skin, and fine lines.
4. Sleep and stress management
Lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of dark circles, so improving the quality of your sleep is essential to reduce their appearance. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night, in a quiet, dark environment, to allow your skin to regenerate.
Stress management is also crucial. Practicing meditation, yoga, or any other relaxing activity can help balance cortisol levels and maintain good blood circulation.
5. Internal and external hydration
Drinking enough water is essential to maintain skin hydration. Dehydration can make dark circles more visible by thinning the skin. Also, apply moisturizers that contain humectants like hyaluronic acid to retain water in the skin and keep the under-eye area plump and supple.
6. Sun protection
For dark circles, sun protection is essential. UV rays exacerbate hyperpigmentation, so it is important to protect the area with SPF 30 to 50 sunscreen every day, even when it is not sunny.
Conclusion: understanding and treating dark circles according to their type
Dark circles are not inevitable, but to treat them effectively, it is essential to understand their origin. Whether it is poor circulation, hyperpigmentation , loss of volume or sagging skin, each type of dark circle has its solution.
By combining specific treatments, massage techniques, modern technologies such as photobiomodulation, and a healthy lifestyle, you can significantly reduce the appearance of dark circles and give your eyes a fresher, more rested glow.
Tailor your care to your skin's specific needs, and with a little patience and perseverance, the results will be visible.
