How to tell if dark circles are pigmentary or vascular
Dark circles are one of the common problems of the eye skin, which manifests as darker, black or blue skin around the eyes, affecting the appearance of the face. Depending on the cause, dark circles can be divided into pigmentary and vascular types. Pigmentary dark circles are usually caused by skin pigment deposition, while vascular dark circles are caused by dilation of blood vessels or blood congestion around the eyes . Different types of dark circles require different treatments. Therefore, correctly judging the type of dark circles is crucial to formulating an effective treatment plan.
1. Characteristics of pigmented dark circles
Pigmented dark circles refer to the dark, dark appearance of the eye skin due to the deposition of melanin in the eye skin layer. This type of dark circles is usually related to long-term ultraviolet radiation, skin friction, genetic factors , etc. Its main characteristics include:
Darker skin tone around eyes
The skin around the eyes of pigmented dark circles appears dark brown or bluish purple, and the color is usually relatively uniform. For people with more pigmentation, the color of the skin around the eyes is significantly darker, making it look darker than normal skin color.
Thin skin easily shows pigmentation
The skin around the eyes is one of the thinnest parts of the body and is easily exposed to external stimuli. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays or frequently rubbed, pigmentation is more obvious . This situation is particularly common in older individuals with reduced skin elasticity.
Common after sun exposure or skin friction
Long-term sun exposure will stimulate the synthesis of melanin, causing increased pigmentation of the eye skin, thus forming pigmented dark circles. In addition, frequent rubbing of the eyes and wiping of the area around the eyes can also easily aggravate pigmentation and form pigmented dark circles.
Continuity
The color change of pigmented dark circles will not change significantly with the improvement of sleep or lifestyle, and usually long-term treatment is required to see the desired effect.
2. Characteristics of vascular dark circles
Vascular dark circles are caused by dilation of blood vessels around the eyes, blood retention or increased light transmittance of blood vessels. This type of dark circles is often accompanied by eye fatigue, lack of sleep, etc. Vascular dark circles are mainly caused by dilation of eye capillaries and poor blood circulation, which leads to the appearance of blood color . Its main characteristics include:
Bluish purple or cyan
The color of vascular dark circles is usually blue, purple or cyan. This is because the blood flow in the microvessels around the eyes is poor and the oxygen content in the blood is low, resulting in blood retention. The color of vascular dark circles is darker, especially in individuals with thinner eye skin .
Closely related to sleep quality
Vascular dark circles often appear when people lack sleep or are overly tired, especially those who stay up late for a long time and have irregular work and rest schedules. When people are tired or have poor sleep quality, the blood circulation in the microvessels around the eyes deteriorates, causing blood to stagnate around the eyes , thus forming vascular dark circles.
With improved rest, the condition has improved
The color and severity of vascular dark circles will usually decrease with increased rest time or improved work and rest routines. If you get enough sleep and your blood circulation returns to normal, the symptoms of dark circles can generally be alleviated.
Short-term and recurring
The appearance of vascular dark circles is mostly temporary. Especially when you are under great pressure in life, stay up late or are under great mental stress, you may have more obvious dark circles, but once you get a good rest, the situation will be effectively improved.
3. Common methods for judging the type of dark circles
Judging by color
Color is one of the most direct ways to judge the type of dark circles. Pigmented dark circles are usually dark brown or dark brown, and are relatively uniform overall ; while vascular dark circles are mostly bluish purple or cyan, and the color is more dispersed and darker, and is often more obvious at certain angles.
Skin stretching
Gently stretch the skin around the eyes and observe the changes in the dark circles. For pigmented dark circles, since the pigment is deposited in the epidermis, the pigment usually does not change significantly after stretching the skin. For vascular dark circles, when the skin is stretched, the color of the vascular dark circles may become lighter, indicating that the blood does not flow smoothly in the microvessels, which is a typical manifestation of vascular dark circles .
Infer from lifestyle and symptoms
If the dark circles get worse after staying up late, fatigue or lack of sleep, and are accompanied by symptoms such as eye swelling and dullness, they may be vascular dark circles. On the contrary, if the dark circles do not improve with rest and persist for a long time , they may be pigmentary dark circles.
Through professional diagnosis
If you cannot clearly distinguish the type of dark circles through self-judgment, you can seek help from a dermatologist or cosmetologist for a more professional examination. The doctor can accurately diagnose the cause of dark circles through methods such as ultraviolet light irradiation and skin microscope observation.
4. Treatments for different types of dark circles
Treatment for pigmented dark circles
For pigmented dark circles, the focus of treatment is to reduce the deposition of melanin and accelerate its metabolism . Common treatment methods include:
Skin care products that whiten and lighten pigmentation : Skin care products containing ingredients such as vitamin C, arbutin, and tranexamic acid can effectively lighten pigmentation around the eyes.
Laser treatment : Laser freckle removal technology can break up pigment particles through laser energy, thereby improving eye pigmentation.
Chemical peel : Use chemical fruit acids and other substances to gently exfoliate the skin around the eyes to promote skin renewal and reduce pigmentation.
Treatment for vascular dark circles
The goal of treating vascular dark circles is to improve blood circulation and reduce blood retention in the eyes. Common treatments include:
Improve sleep and daily routine : ensuring adequate sleep and maintaining a good daily routine will help normal blood circulation in the eyes.
Eye massage : Proper eye massage can promote blood circulation, help drain stagnant blood around the eyes, and relieve dark circles.
Cold compress : Using a cold eye mask or ice cubes on the eyes can help constrict blood vessels, reduce blood congestion in the eyes, and improve dark circles.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
There are many types of dark circles. Pigmented and vascular dark circles have different causes and manifestations. By observing the color, skin reaction and living habits, patients can roughly judge the type of dark circles. Regardless of the type, maintaining a good lifestyle, a reasonable diet and appropriate care measures are important means to improve dark circles. For long-term or severe dark circles, it is recommended to seek the help of a professional doctor for scientific diagnosis and treatment.