An approach to dark circles under the eyes:

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p>Editorial: An approach to dark circles under the eyes</p

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doi: 10.18282/jsd.v1.i2.67
Copyright © 2016 Aghaei S. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0
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EDITORIAL
An approach to dark circles under the eyes
Shahin Aghaei
Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Keywords: Infraorbital darkening, periorbital darkening, dark circles, eyes, treatment, therapy
Citation: Aghaei S. An approach to dark circles under the eyes. J Surg Dermatol 2016; 1(2): 55–56;
http://dx.doi.org/10.18282/jsd.v1.i2.67.
Correspondence to: Shahin Aghaei, Roonik Skin Clinic, #78, Asad-abadi Ave., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran,
shahinaghaei@yahoo.com
Received: 12th July 2016; Published Online: 29th July 2016
ho does not loath looking in the mirror after
a long and sleepless night? Periorbital
melanosis, popularly known as “dark circles”
(DC) under the eyes, is a common and frustrating
cosmetic grievance in both men and women, although in
most cases it is not a sign of a severe medical
condition[1,2]. DC is inevitably a sign of exhaustion, but
anxiety seems to deteriorate facial appearance through
the development of DC[3].
There has been little research dedicated to
investigating the cause of this common disorder. The fact
that various treatment modalities carried out in the past
resulted in inconsistent outcomes shows that pinpointing
the cause of DC is not exactly a walk in the park. There
are multiple factors that cause DC in a majority of
patients. Possible reasons include excessive pigmentation,
along with thin and luminous lower eyelid skin overlying
the orbicularis oculi muscle. As people grow older, the
skin gets thinner and collagen fibers are lost, at times
augmenting the advent of tiny blood vessels beneath the
eyes, thus making the area seems darker. While lack of
sleep and aging certainly play a role in under-eye
discoloration, so do genetics, allergies, hormonal
abnormalities, and accumulated skin damage[4,5].
Certain conditions such as fluid disproportion or
locally swollen eyelids can also cause shades that make
the area under the eyes seem darker. Some researchers
also speculated that DC has a tendency to run in families.
Brown circles could also form as a result of hyperpig-
mentation triggered by chronic eye-rubbing, sun
exposure, or genetics. When there is no apparent cause, it
could be due to termed idiopathic cutaneous
hyperchromia of the orbital region (ICHOR)[6].
Numerous treatments have been used for this complaint
with various results, including topical lightening creams,
chemical peelings, lasers, and even fat injections. None
of the treatments have proven to be uniformly effective
and thus there is a need for newer approaches[7-9].
In spite of its prevalence and cosmetic importance,
there are only a few reported works in literature
regarding DC. A virtuous description of this condition is
unavailable and there is neither an overall understanding
about the pathogenesis nor an agreement about the main
factors responsible for it. Treatment modalities are
chosen in empirical ways, frequently resulting in
suboptimal outcomes. It is important to identify the
probable cause and choose appropriate treatment
methods.
DC is less responsive to standard treatments due to
its multifactorial etiology and the presence of melanin in
skin layers. Nevertheless, even a mild-to-moderate
improvement in appearance can enhance the quality of
life of patients; hence topical therapies and simple
physical therapies can be used to treat patients seeking to
improve the cosmetic appearance of their eyes[10]. Instead
of fighting an uphill battle against the genes, one can also
turn to corrective coloring makeup.
W

Aghaei S
56
doi: 10.18282/jsd.v1.i2.67
Conflict of interest
The author declared no potential conflict of interest with
respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of
this article.
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