How to Get Rid of Hereditary Dark Eye Circles

When it comes to hereditary dark under-eye circles, there is bad news and good news 1. The bad news is there is nothing you can do to prevent them. The good news, according to the New York Cosmetic Skin and Laser Surgery Center, is that what is medically referred to as genetic hyper-pigmentation is the most treatable form of dark, under-eye circles 1. Treatment options include concealers, lightening creams, chemical peels and laser therapy 3.

Treatments

Camouflage dark under-eye circles with makeup 1. This is the least expensive, albeit temporary way to diminish their appearance. Concealer sticks and creams come in an assortment of shades to match your skin tone. Dark under-eye circles can seem to disappear as you gently tap the concealing foundation under each eye until it blends into the skin 1. For a finishing touch, pat a dab of loose powder over the concealer.

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Encourage your under-eye circles to gradually produce less pigment with lightening agents (hydroquinone acid, kojic acid). Non-prescription-strength lighteners include Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening, which contains 2 percent hydroquinone and glycolic acid. Kojic acid can help make hereditary dark under-eye circles less noticeable by blocking the production of melanin (the substance that gives the skin its color) 1.

Remove layers of damaged skin with a professional chemical peel. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says peels use an acid solution (trichloroacetic acid, alphahydroxy acids) to slough off dead skin. This procedure can reduce pigmentation and improve the overall appearance of the skin. Chemical peels are generally used as an adjunct to other dark, under-eye circle treatments such as laser therapy 3.

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Undergo laser resurfacing to remove layers of skin damage. Lasers work by producing an intense beam of bright light. When the laser beam is directed at dark, under-eye circles, its light energy is soaked up by water or pigments, including melanin 1. This absorption helps to make pigmentation less noticeable.