Skincare Case 128

Age: 27 years old

Gender: Female

Fitzpatrick: 4

Skin type: Combination

Main Concern: The dark circles under the eyes

History: The dark circles under her eyes are a trait that runs in her family, especially on her mother’s side. They get worse with sleep deprivation and tiredness. 

She recently gave birth to a baby who looks like her dark circles are slightly more noticeable.

Home care routine: She tried a black teabag with little to no results. She also uses SkinPen occasionally with quick results but overall is not satisfied. 

Findings: Dark circles under the eyes are prominent, and loos like the skin under the eyes is thinner, and there is not much fat pad around the eyes’ skin. 

Skincare Exams Case 128
Case Discussion (Please click here)

The client is a 27-year-old female with Fitzpatrick skin type 4 and combination skin type. Her main concern is the dark circles under her eyes, a trait that runs in her family, which have recently become more noticeable following the birth of her child.

Causes

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by various factors. In her case, it seems to be largely hereditary. However, the recent birth of her child, which likely has led to sleep deprivation and increased stress, can exacerbate the appearance of these dark circles. Furthermore, thin skin and a lack of fat pad around the eyes can make blood vessels more visible, contributing to the appearance of dark circles.

What’s Done Wrong

While using a black teabag can be soothing, it isn’t typically effective in significantly reducing dark circles. Also, while microneedling with a SkinPen can provide temporary relief, it doesn’t target the root cause of her concern.

Office and Home Treatment Options

In-office treatments may include fractional laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or filler injections, all of which can improve the appearance of dark circles. A doctor might also recommend a prescription-strength topical cream with active ingredients like retinol or vitamin K.

At home, she could use a topical eye cream with ingredients like caffeine (to constrict blood vessels), hyaluronic acid (for hydration), or niacinamide (to brighten skin). She could also consider treatments that promote collagen production, like using a home derma-roller.

Prevention

While heredity can’t be changed, there are lifestyle modifications that can help reduce the appearance of dark circles, such as getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, and eating a healthy diet.

Home Care Daily Routine

AM:

  1. Cleanse face with a gentle cleanser suitable for combination skin.
  2. Apply a vitamin C serum.
  3. Apply an eye cream specifically designed for dark circles.
  4. Apply a moisturizer suitable for combination skin.
  5. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

PM:

  1. Cleanse face.
  2. Apply a retinol serum (starting slowly and building up tolerance).
  3. Apply an eye cream for dark circles.
  4. Apply a moisturizer.

She should also consider incorporating stress management techniques into her daily routine, as stress can exacerbate dark circles. As always, any new skincare routine should be introduced gradually, and it may take several weeks to see improvement. If her dark circles continue to concern her, it would be worth discussing further treatment options with a dermatologist or other skincare professional.