#darkcircles - a new study reveals the causes and predisposing factors.

Peri-orbital dark circles are a cosmetic concern worldwide and numerous causes and risk factors have been advocated as playing a role:

• allergy
• atopic dermatitis
• blood stasis or impaired venous circulation
• structural shadowing effects
• a thinner epidermis/dermis under the eye.

This recent study, a dermatologist evaluated 495 Brazilian women and the severity of dark circles. Hyperspectral image analysis was used to determine the relative contribution of melanin, blood volume, degree of tissue oxygen and dermal scattering.

The results and conclusions are listed below:

1. Average age of onset: 24 years
2. Severity higher when younger onset
3. Asthma is highly significantly associated with dark circles
4. Allergy and sleep deprivation do not play a role in the severity of the condition
5. Spectral Imaging showed that melanin was the main component correlated with dark circles severity, wheareas oxygen is less so.

Regarding TREATMENT, for mild cases, topical cosmetics can be enough, I recommend AOX EYE GEL (Skinceuticals) to be applied at night. Its formula contains caffeine which improves blood circulation. For more severe cases, procedures at the clinic are necessary, such as CARBOXITHERAPY and/or INTENSE PULSED LIGHT.