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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffWhat ages you most? Surprisingly, it might not be wrinkles or gray hair but dark circles under your eyes. Although dark circles under eyes usually aren't a sign of exhaustion or serious illness, they can make you feel old, unhealthy and tired.
Just what constitutes dark circles under eyes is often in the eye of the beholder, but medically, they're defined as round, uniform areas of pigmentation beneath each eye. Dark circles under eyes affect both men and women, and although dark, under-eye circles often start in adulthood, children can develop them, too.
More treatments are available for dark circles under eyes than ever before and range from makeup to laser therapy and in some cases, surgery. Because results aren't always perfect, however, it helps to have realistic expectations.
Causes- Mitsuishi T, et al. The effects of topical application of phytonadione, retinol and vitamins C and E on infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids. Cosmetic Dermatology. 2004;3(2):73-75.
- Freitag FM, et al. What causes dark circles under the eyes? Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2007;6(3)211-215.
- Watanabe S. Condition known as "dark rings under the eyes" in the Japanese population is a kind of dermal melanocytosis which can be successfully treated by Q-switched ruby laser. Dermatologic Surgery. 2006;32(6):785-789.
- Gendler EC. Treatment of periorbital hyperpigmentation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2005;25(6):618-624.
- Cymbalista NC, et al. Treatment of idiopathic cutaneous hyperchromia of the orbital region (ICHOR) with intense pulsed light. Dermatologic Surgery. 2006;32(6):773-784.
- Subrata M, et al. Periorbital melanosis is an extension of pigmentary line-F demarcation on face. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2007;73(5):323-325.
- Correale CE, et al. Atopic dermatitis: A review of diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician. 1999:60(4):1191-1209. http://www.aafp.org/afp/990915ap/1191.html. Accessed Oct. 19, 2008.
