{"id":12544,"date":"2019-12-26T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-26T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=12544"},"modified":"2021-03-01T10:07:03","modified_gmt":"2021-03-01T18:07:03","slug":"dark-eyelid-causes-how-to-treat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/dark-eyelid-causes-how-to-treat","title":{"rendered":"What Causes Eyelid Discoloration, and How to Treat It"},"content":{"rendered":"

A poor night’s sleep is one reason for stubborn dark circles<\/a> around the eyes. But what’s to blame when you’ve had a solid eight hours of shut-eye and they still don’t disappear? Though sleep (or a lack thereof) is often considered the culprit, it’s just one factor behind the darkening of the eyelids and skin around the eyes. Genetics, inflammation, and sun exposure can also play a role in its development—but the good news is: It is possible to to get rid of dark eyelids.<\/p>

What causes darkness around the eyes?<\/strong><\/h2>

There are a few reasons for darkness around the eyes and eyelid discoloration. First, establish if the darkened appearance is caused by actual change in the skin or if it’s reflective of another condition. “Dark under-eye circles may have a component of volume loss, causing shadowing and a hollowed look,” says Seattle physician Dr. Kristine Brecht<\/a>. On top of that, visible blood vessels, caused by a combination of eye strain and the thinning skin that accompanies age, can also contribute to a darkened appearance. But if the actual skin appears darker, that’s hyperpigmentation<\/a>. “Hyperpigmentation around the eyes is too much melanin, in an irregular pattern,” explains London physician and Cosmetic Eye Clinic founder Dr. Uche Aniagwu<\/a>.<\/p>

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Your production of melanin, the brown pigment in skin, can go into overdrive for a number of reasons. One is genetics. “Oftentimes, this darkening of the skin around the eyes can be due to hereditary skin patterns,” says Dr. Aniagwu. Darkness around the eyes tends to be more common among certain demographics, including women and those who have a Fitzpatrick skin type of III or above, he says.<\/p>

Beyond genetics, sun damage is the primary cause of hyperpigmentation around the eyes. It damages the skin’s repair system, according to Dr. Aniagwu, which can lead to an overproduction and buildup of melanin. Inflammation from allergies or even a sinus infection could also be a factor. “Low-level allergies can cause hyperpigmentation without making it obvious you’re even allergic,” he notes. And finally, melasma<\/a>, a condition common during pregnancy, can appear around the eyes. If you’re pregnant and notice darkening eyelids and eyes, that could be the culprit.<\/p>

Related: Under-Eye Filler: A Quick Shot That Can Do Away With Dark Circles and Downplay Signs of Aging. What’s the Catch?<\/a><\/em><\/p>

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