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Health

Black circles under the eyes

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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The skin around the human eye is very thin and particularly sensitive. Therefore, dark circles under the eyes are, first of all, an indicator that “tells” about unfavorable changes occurring in the human body.

A change in skin tone in the eye area is, in most cases, not so much an aesthetic or cosmetic problem, but a medical one.

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Causes of Dark Circles Under the Eyes

There is an opinion that bruises in the eye area are an indicator of sleepless nights, wild parties and allergies to certain irritants. But it turns out that the causes of dark circles under the eyes can be much deeper, and the consequences less pleasant.

  • One of the reasons for the change in the color of the epidermis of the periorbital zone can be the breakdown of hemoglobin. As in the entire body, the skin of this area is dotted with many tiny capillaries. Some of them have such a small diameter that in order to move along them, erythrocytes (red blood cells) have to stand one after another, or even split in two. It happens that a capillary ruptures and blood plasma leaks into the intercellular space, forming small hematomas. There is nothing terrible about this. The body copes with this problem perfectly well, utilizing such cells. Specifically, this process of release and oxidation of blood cells becomes the cause of dark circles under the eyes. This procedure is called "hemoglobin breakdown." It is hemoglobin that gives the blood its characteristic shade, and in the process of splitting, the products get a blue-red color - that is, a banal bruise. The common thing between black circles and bruises is that when a blow or injury occurs, the capillaries burst and the blood is also released from the vessel. The only difference is that in the case of black circles, there was no previous blow.
  • An allergy can also provoke the change in question. Its reaction can directly affect the skin around the eyes, or during the course of the allergy itself, the "host" simply rubs his eyes vigorously.
  • It turns out that a banal tan can also aggravate the problem in question. After all, the chocolate color of the skin appears due to the effect of ultraviolet rays and the presence of the pigment melanin, which is present in the human skin. Long-term sun retorsion on the skin provokes an increase in the level of melanin. This factor makes the human body react by bringing this enzyme closer to the outer layers of the epidermis. And since the skin around the eyes is thinner, it “darkens” first, creating the effect of dark glasses.
  • An incorrect daily routine that minimizes rest time and accumulated fatigue are not the direct cause of darkening of the epidermis. It is simply due to excessive stress and fatigue of the body that the skin becomes pale. Against its background, the eyes appear darker.
  • This result is also brought about by a person’s age, because over the years the skin covering the area of interest to us becomes increasingly thinner.
  • Quite a few women experience paler skin during pregnancy or menstruation, with dark circles drawing attention to themselves.
  • An unbalanced diet can also be the cause of dark circles under the eyes.
  • This pathology can be a symptom of various diseases of internal organs. For example, chronic kidney and heart diseases. Black circles are not only an indicator of a malfunction in their work, but also an indicator of fatal intoxication of the entire body. Incomplete utilization of waste products leads to this situation. Therefore, local correction or treatment of this problem will not give a positive result - it is necessary to look for deeper causes.
  • The climate factor can cause a change in skin color - in the cold season, it becomes pale, since during this period subcutaneous fat is lost. Against the background of paleness, the eyes look darker. This problem can be solved - it is enough to regularly apply a rich nourishing cream under the eyes.
  • Nicotine and alcohol have a negative impact on the condition of blood vessels, making them more fragile and less elastic.
  • A diet accompanied by sudden weight loss can also lead to such symptoms.
  • Incorrect selection of cosmetics.
  • Iron anemia is a lack of iron in the human body.
  • Stress, excessive excitability and nervousness.

Why are there dark circles under the eyes?

It is impossible to give a clear answer to the question of why there are dark circles under the eyes. After all, this pathology may have a fairly banal cause that is perfectly corrected by cosmetics, a change in diet or a revision of lifestyle. But it may happen that a change in skin color has provoked a disease that needs to be identified and stopped as soon as possible. Only in this case will the problem with dark circles under the eyes be solved.

Hence the conclusion: to solve the problem, it is necessary to find the provoking cause and eliminate it. An experienced specialist in the shade of circles under the eyes is quite capable of even determining the area of pathology. For example:

  • The brownish-yellow color of the circles may indicate problems in the functioning of the gallbladder or liver.
  • If the shade is pink or red, most likely there is a problem with the kidneys.
  • a bluish tint may indicate disturbances that have occurred in the functioning of the lymphatic system and/or venous blood outflow.
  • Blackish spots or stripes can indicate “incorrect” functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Therefore, in order to get the effect from the efforts made in the fight against this pathology, it is necessary to clearly answer the question of why there are dark circles under the eyes?

Symptoms of Dark Circles Under Eyes

A darker shade in the eye area is quite obvious. The symptoms of dark circles under the eyes are not difficult to describe, it should only be clarified that this phenomenon in itself is a symptom of some changes occurring in the human body.

At the same time, the skin of the lower eyelid becomes thin, parchment-like. The shade of the skin changes its natural milky color to a darker one. The color, in this case, can be quite varied: yellowish-brown, pinkish-black, and even bluish.

Diagnosis of dark circles under the eyes

If clinical and laboratory studies have not revealed any deviations in the functioning of the human body, then the diagnosis of dark circles under the eyes is reduced to a visual examination that does not require special skills. By contacting a cosmetologist with your problem, you can get advice on correcting and hiding traces of fatigue on the face using modern cosmetics. But this still will not solve the problem, especially if it is a symptom of some disease. Therefore, if a person is worried about dark circles under the eyes, it is better to make an appointment with a doctor.

A qualified specialist, having prescribed the necessary diagnostics, is able to “get to the bottom” of the cause of such symptoms and, if necessary, prescribe effective treatment.

Such diagnostic methods include:

  • Visual examination of the patient.
  • Clinical urine analysis.
  • Blood biochemistry and sugar level test.

If necessary, the following is prescribed:

  • Ultrasound examination of an organ "suspected of pathological changes".
  • Radiography.
  • Biopsy.
  • And many other diagnostic methods.

Treatment for dark circles under the eyes

It is necessary to stipulate right away that the treatment of dark circles under the eyes is clearly delineated. If the reason for their appearance is one of the diseases of the internal organs, then in this case no cosmetics can help and it is necessary to undergo a full course of complex treatment of this disease. Only after this will the question of dark circles be removed. But if this deviation is not associated with the patient's health, then the problem is not so terrible and modern cosmetology can come to the rescue in solving this problem.

For example, such a procedure as lipofilling. This method suggests introducing one's own fat cells under the lower eyelid. The effect of such an event is quite obvious, but not stable. Therefore, lipofilling will have to be repeated periodically.

It is possible to resort to a technique called lymphatic drainage. This is a therapy carried out with the help of a special medical device that emits small microcurrents. Thanks to such procedures, the blood flow and the system of circulation of the lymphatic fluid flow are activated.

The next method that can help solve this issue is mesotherapy. This therapy is not so common in our country, some patients have not even heard of its existence. The essence of the method: injections with a special drug are made shallowly under the skin with a small thin needle. Although many doctors and cosmetologists do not consider it effective enough, it is worth noting that the final result largely depends on the individual characteristics of the human body.

Laser peeling of the skin shows quite good results in the treatment of dark circles under the eyes.

There are also many simple and inexpensive methods discovered by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers:

  • To narrow the dilated vessels that give the skin a tint, you can use cryo compresses. Cold spoons, which are applied to closed eyes for a while, are quite suitable for this. You can also use well-chilled peas placed in canvas bags.
  • You can try saline nasal irrigation. To do this, dissolve a quarter teaspoon of sea salt in half a liter of warm water.
  • Pour half a glass of boiling water over one teaspoon of one of the herbs or a mixture of them: rosemary, chamomile, cornflower or dill and leave for ten minutes. Use only freshly prepared infusion. Practice alternating compresses of different temperatures, putting a cold, then a hot poultice. Repeat the procedure once every two days. Duration of therapy is up to a month. The effect can be seen after a week of use.
  • Make a decoction from one tablespoon and a glass of water and leave it for a quarter of an hour. Soak gauze in the strained liquid and hold it on your eyelids for about ten minutes. It works well to reduce swelling and dark circles under the eyes.
  • Place grated raw potatoes in a napkin and hold on the eyelids for ten minutes. Repeat the procedure once a week. Duration of therapy is up to one and a half months.
  • A mixture made from a teaspoon of parsley, ground in a glass or porcelain bowl with a tablespoon of heavy cream, also has an excellent whitening effect. A metal container or cutting with a knife will not work - this will cause loss of vitamin C, which is so necessary for the body. This composition is applied to the eyelids and kept for about 20 minutes. Wash off with water at room temperature. The procedure is carried out daily for one and a half months.
  • Fresh cucumber (with sour cream), sour cream or whole milk (with white bread pulp) have also proven to be good compresses. Keep the compresses on the eyes for up to 20 minutes.
  • Grind the root parsley and immediately apply the resulting gruel to closed eyes, leave for a third of an hour, then wash off the face. Do this procedure once a week.
  • Grind almonds into a powder and mix with honey. Apply to the eye area with light massaging movements before going to bed. A great remedy for fighting dark circles under the eyes.
  • Crush the mint leaves into a paste and add a few drops of lemon juice. Apply compresses daily, leaving them on for 10-15 minutes.

How to remove dark circles under the eyes?

Any person strives to look attractive, but often the appearance of "bruises" in the eye area immediately makes the face look exhausted and sickly. What to do, how to remove dark circles under the eyes? Numerous cosmetic concerns and companies have undertaken to help in this matter. And today's market of decorative and medical cosmetics is simply overflowing with various creams and masks that can effectively combat this aesthetic problem.

  • Special moisturizing and nourishing creams. They are able to affect the breakdown of hemoglobin, ridding the skin of its black tint. At the same time, cosmetics work to strengthen the capillary system, preventing further hemorrhages. Regular moisturizing of the skin of the lower eyelid, using high-quality moisturizing creams, will protect the epidermis from drying out and, accordingly, from early wrinkles and dark circles.
  • If you need to look your best, but there is no time left for lotions, decorative cosmetics will come to the rescue. To learn how to use cosmetics correctly, it is worth getting advice from a certified cosmetologist who will select the color of the primer, concealer and foundation that best suits the client's skin tone.
  • At home, you can use the pulp and juice of a fresh aloe leaf. This plant acts as a natural concealer.
  • Fresh potatoes can be used not only in the form of compresses from gruel, but also by simply cutting the tuber into rings and placing one on each eye. Hold it like that for a few minutes. Then you can wash your face. This therapy should be practiced twice a day. The course is from two to three weeks.
  • The same procedure can be done with cucumber. The result is no worse than with potatoes.
  • Rubbing almond or coconut oil into the upper and lower eyelids before bedtime produces an excellent effect. Positive results can be seen quite quickly.
  • Don't throw away freshly brewed tea bags either. Cool them and apply them warm to your eyelids for ten minutes. Your eyes will become clearer and dark circles will fade.

Prevention of dark circles under the eyes

If the cause of this problem is not one of the diseases of the internal organs that must be treated with medication, then preventing dark circles under the eyes is not so difficult.

  • Biologically, the human body needs a good rest. Therefore, it is worth sleeping at least seven to nine hours a day. It is also necessary to adhere to a sleep schedule: get up and go to bed, if possible, at the same time.
  • Spend more time outdoors; if this is not possible, it is worth practicing active ventilation of the work area or home.
  • If your profession involves working at a computer monitor, take a few-minute break every hour. During this time, you can do strengthening exercises for your eyes or simply stretch your joints.
  • It is advisable to do morning exercise with cold water. It is also good for the face. You can use ice cubes. It will be great if these are frozen decoctions of medicinal herbs. Chamomile, sage, linden, and succession will do.
  • It is worth reviewing the diet. Everything in it should be balanced. The presence of useful substances, vitamins and microelements is mandatory.
  • It is worth making every effort to get rid of bad habits and avoid stressful situations.
  • On bright sunny days, it is advisable to protect your face with sunglasses and a hat, and the day cream you use must have a sun protection factor.
  • The cosmetics that a person uses must be of only high quality, otherwise they can do more harm than good.
  • A light facial massage in the morning is a great way to start the day. A few minutes daily is enough to tone the skin, activate blood flow, thereby removing the factors that provoke the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
  • You should not skip preventive medical examinations so that, if necessary, you can undergo examination and treatment on time.
  • Calming teas will help to cope with irritability and increased excitability.

Daily massage of the eyelid area:

  • Massage the skin around the eyes for three minutes, lightly patting with your fingertips. Avoid stretching the skin.
  • We slide the pads of the phalanges from the bridge of the nose, along the lower eyelid to the temple and back. This exercise will stimulate the work of the circulatory and lymphatic systems of this area, strengthen the circular muscles.
  • It is worth avoiding strain on the upper eyelid, so as not to provoke increased pressure on the eyeball. After the massage, apply a special moisturizing or nourishing cream to this area, "hammering" it with your fingertips along the trajectory temple - lower eyelid - bridge of the nose.

Eye exercises are a great way to relax muscles, relieve fatigue, and prevent dark circles under the eyes. They are especially recommended for people who work in front of a computer screen for long periods of time.

  • Make the following movements with your eyes: first look at the ceiling, then at the floor – and do this several times.
  • First, look in one direction without turning your head, trying to look around the corner of the building, and then look in the other direction in the same way. Do the exercise several times.
  • Try to draw various geometric figures with your eyes. Any will do, if you want: eights, quadrangles, triangles, broken lines, circles, and so on. As much as your knowledge of mathematics allows.
  • Now we close our eyes with force, hold for a while, and open our eyes, relaxing our eyelids.
  • Finally, close your eyelids and cover your eyes with your palms. Hold them like this for a while, “warming up the problem area.” Remove your hands and open your eyes. •
  • These exercises should be performed three to four times daily.

Dark Circles Under Eyes Forecast

If the change in skin tone is not associated with a serious pathology of internal organs, then the prognosis for dark circles under the eyes is very favorable. You just need to be more careful with your body, adequately distributing the load and rest. Then your face will always radiate health, freshness and youth.

The first thing that catches your eye when meeting a person is their face. And how the appearance of the interlocutor changes if his eyes are framed by dark circles under the eyes. Such a face seems tired, exhausted and sickly. In order not to arouse pity in the respondent, but to look like a real queen (king), do not forget that your face is an indicator of the health of the body. Take better care of it - then everyone will envy your skin and complexion.

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