Dark Shadows
No, not the vampy, campy, gothic soap opera of yesteryear. The shadows that are even worse: those under your eyes that won’t seem to go away. They change your perception of yourself and present an image of tiredness, being stressed, and perhaps even ill to the world at large.
What Causes Them?
Although the suppositions that you’re stressed and tired are associated with those dark undereye circles, that isn’t necessarily the truth. In many cases, they are genetic. If your family members have them, you likely will, too. Other causes of dark circles may be:
- Allergies
- Medications
- Medical conditions like eczema or dermatitis
- Aging
Stress and fatigue can contribute to undereye circles, so it’s important to take care of yourself as well as possible.
Home Remedies
There is an array of things you can try to help with your dark circles. Home remedies such as:
- Not rubbing your eyes vigorously
- Drinking enough water
- Limiting your salt intake
- Using cold compresses or cucumbers on your eyes
- Using black or green tea bags under your eyes
- Over-the-counter eye creams
- Using color corrector and/or concealer to camouflage your dark circles
While some of these will help, your undereye circles may require more help than over-the-counter remedies can provide. No worries. There are other effective options available.
Dermatology for the Win
If you have very dark circles that won’t go away, there are a variety of medical treatments that can help. Dermatological treatment offers a number of options that can be helpful.
- Medical grade topical solutions such as creams or serums. These options are available through a dermatologic provider. These creams or serums may include azelaic acid and retinoic acid.
- Injectable dermal fillers placed near the tear ducts in the eye. This is a very effective treatment, but it is only temporary.
- Chemical peels. In this option, a knowledgeable medical practitioner will use alpha hydroxy acid to remove the uppermost layers of the skin. This process will entail some redness on the face post-procedurally, and there will be some recovery time after the treatment.
You and your dermatology clinician can work together to determine your goals and the best treatment process for your desired outcome – significantly minimized dark circles, as well as other anti-aging treatments.
The Derm NP Can Help
The Derm NP is a unique dermatology practice. Our provider, Laura Collins, APRN, ANP-BC, DCNP, ACTTP, has an extensive array of experience and education in the field of dermatology. She started her career in dermatology in 2005 and has been a speaker for numerous community and community hospital events. Laura loves the practice of dermatology and strives to provide you with the best care possible.
We provide care for non-urgent dermatological conditions via telehealth visits, through which we strive to provide top-notch, affordable care. Contact us at (630)233-9767 or thedermnp@thedermnp.com for an appointment that will help you present your best face to the world.
Image credit:
| Dragonimages / Envato Elements |
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
