What should you know about vascular dark circles?

The under-eye area has delicate skin, so vessels can show through more clearly. Fair or translucent skin, inherited facial structure, tired-looking eyes, ageing-related thinning, allergies, rubbing, and congestion may make the colour easier to notice. A hollow tear trough can also create a shadow that is mistaken for vascular colour. It is possible to have more than one contributor at the same time.

Look at the shade in natural light without rubbing the area. Blue, violet, or red tones suggest a vascular component, while brown tones suggest pigment; a clinician can check this distinction during an examination.

Use a gentle cleanser, avoid scratching or rubbing, and protect the eye area from sunlight with suitable sunscreen and sunglasses. If itching, sneezing, or eczema accompanies the shadows, managing that trigger may reduce rubbing; see [Atopic Dermatitis](/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/) for related skin inflammation. A clinician can compare the colour with the effect of hollowness described in [Tear Trough Hollows](/conditions/tear-trough-hollows/).

Treatment depends on the cause. Options may include treating irritation, camouflage makeup, or a procedure selected after an examination. [Under-Eye Filler](/treatments/injectables/tear-trough-filler/) addresses selected hollows, but it does not treat every type of dark circle. General background is available in [Dark Circles](/symptoms/dark-circles/).

Arrange a medical review if the change is new, one-sided, rapidly becoming more noticeable, or accompanied by swelling, pain, a rash, discharge, vision changes, or persistent eye irritation. Seek prompt care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or marked swelling. Otherwise, a routine dermatology assessment can help separate vessels, pigment, hollowness, and skin irritation.

Could the colour be vascular, pigment-related, shadowing from a hollow, or a combination? Is allergy or eczema contributing to rubbing? Which home measures suit my eye area, and what risks or aftercare apply to any procedure?