Periorbital pigmentation in common words is known as under-eye dark circles. It is a very common problem nowadays. The condition involves the formation of light-to-dark colored brownish-black spots around the eyes.
Causes of Periorbital pigmentation
- Family History- Many people have pigmentation around the periorbital area in several members of the family. The pigmentation starts early in childhood and gradually increases with age.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation- A person suffering from frequent allergies may rub and scratch the skin around the eye which can cause pigmentation in that area.
- Tear through deformity- The depressed area below the eyelid becomes prominent with age and gives the impression of under eye circles.
- Lack of proper sleep is one of the major causes of the development of under eye circles. Apart from that, stress, alcohol overuse and smoking also contribute to the problem.
- Ultraviolent (UV) rays from the sun can aggravate under eye circles.
- Regular and continuous use of spectacles or contact lenses can cause exhaustion of periorbital muscles, leading to the development of under eye circles.
- Anaemia or lack of haemoglobin- When enough oxygen doesn’t reach the periorbital tissues, it can make the periorbital region look comparatively darker.
- Use of several drugs like oral contraceptives, hormone-replacement therapy can lead to periorbital hyperpigmentation.
- Several medical problems also aggravate the dark circles like disorders of heart, thyroid, kidney or liver, vitamin K deficiency and Addison’s disease.
Treatment of Periorbital Pigmentation
Being such a prominent issue, curing dark circles is the mainstay. There are a number of treatments available which can help you to get rid of your dark circles. These treatments include-
- Topical Therapies: Using creams containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid, topical retinoic acid along with sunscreen can help you in reducing your pigmentation.
- Chemical Peels: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, retinol peels, arginine-based peels can be used to reduce the pigmentation.
- Lasers: Q-switched lasers with nanosecond pulse technology are ideal for selectively treating melanosomes leading to a decrease in melanin content of the skin, thereby reducing pigmentation.
- Fillers: Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers can be used to correct under eye hollows.
- Radiofrequency tightening: The given treatment can be used in treating puffiness and the appearance of eye bags.
- Platelet-rich plasma: In PRP, your own blood is taken from which the plasma is separated using a special machine. The plasma so collected contains various growth factors and proteins which provide nutrition to the skin. It is injected back into the skin. This puts the skin in a healing mode, leading to the rejuvenation of skin around the eyes.