DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages
Home » Topics A–Z » Dark circles under the eyes
Author: Brian Wu PhD. MD Candidate, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA. DermNet NZ Editor in Chief: Dr Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand. July 2015.
Dark circles under the eyes describe a common appearance of the lower eyelids that has various causes. The dark appearance can be due to:
The appearance can be challenging to treat.
Those prone to dark circles under the eyes include:
Pigmentation under the eyes is associated with dermal deposition of melanin. Dermal melanin deposition is often due to post-inflammatory pigmentation, which may follow:
Loss of fatty tissue in the eyelid or around the eye (tear trough) is associated with:
Bulging or puffy eyelids may be due to systemic conditions, particularly:
Thin translucent skin is commonly observed with:
Shadowing is more noticeable at times, due to:
Superficially located blood vessels and blood stasis may contribute to the darkened appearance.
Correct diagnosis of dark circles under the eyes can be difficult. It involves:
Treatment of dark circles under the eyes depends on its nature. General measures include:
Unfortunately, many of the remedies on the market lack evidence of efficacy.
Medical treatments to reduce pigmentation can include:
Loss of tissue (hollowing) and tear trough can be managed by aesthetic medical and surgical procedures:
Considerable training and experience are required to optimise results. Improvement may be partial. An incorrect technique may make the dark circles look more prominent than before the procedure.
See smartphone apps to check your skin.
[Sponsored content]
See the DermNet NZ bookstore.
© 2021 DermNet New Zealand Trust.
DermNet NZ does not provide an online consultation service. If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice.