Dark circles are often associated with aging and appear as dark shadows caused by sagging skin around the eyes.
Unlike other types of dark circles, they are not caused by pigmentation. Instead, they result from hollowing or sagging around the eyes, and their appearance changes depending on lighting and angle. They tend to be most noticeable when you look downward.
Unfortunately, these dark circles cannot be concealed with makeup. To truly improve them, it is necessary to address the sagging of the skin around the eyes itself.
At the end of last year, I wrote articles about brown-type and blue-type dark circles.
Which type do you think applies to you?
The Causes of Black Shadows
From a physiological perspective, these shadows are not just “colors.” They are signs of structural changes:
UV Damage: Ultraviolet rays damage fibroblasts—the “factories” that produce collagen.
Loss of Elasticity: A decrease in collagen and elastin leads to thinning skin and hollow areas.
Chronic Edema (Puffiness): If you leave puffiness untreated, it eventually leads to permanent sagging.
Dehydration: Failing to use eye cream keeps the thin skin around the eyes constantly dry.
Muscle Weakness: The weakening of the Orbicularis Oculi and surrounding facial muscles.
Chronic Fatigue: Lack of sleep and stress lowers the function of your liver and kidneys.
Adhesion of the Galea Aponeurotica: The eye area is supported by like a “single belt” of fascia that runs from your forehead, over the top of your head, to the back. When this belt stiffens (often due to desk work), you lose the power to lift the eye area, creating shadows.
Solutions for Improvement
Sun Protection: UV rays cause “photo-aging” and sagging. Use sunscreen, umbrellas, and sunglasses. For nutrition details, please refer to my post on “Brown Circles.”
Hydration is Vital: Dryness causes spots, sagging, and wrinkles. Eye skin is thin and moves constantly. You must use eye cream. However, how you apply it matters more than just putting it on.
Manage Edema: Do not ignore puffiness. Use alternating hot and cold towels (or wet cotton) and incorporate acupressure while applying cream.
The “No-Touch” Option: Improving shadows by only training the eye muscle is difficult because the eyes work in synergy with the scalp fascia.
In my method, I often do not touch the eyes directly. Instead, I adjust the “connection” from the top of the head to reboot your natural lifting function.
Retrain Facial Muscles: Try to move only your lower eyelids up while keeping your eyes open. Imagine closing your eyes from the bottom up. If it is difficult, touch the area lightly to feel the movement. (Refer to the picture below)
The approach varies depending on the individual’s shadow shape. Advanced techniques are reserved for private clients, including work on the muscles near the nose (Levator labii superioris).
Source: Gray’s Anatomy (1918)
Internal Approach (Nutrition)
Black shadows involve the dermis (deep skin). You must support it from the inside:
Vitamin C: Take this with collagen, as it is a necessary material for collagen production.
Iron: Essential for collagen synthesis.
Vitamin E: Improves blood flow to reduce puffiness.
Protein: The building block of skin and muscle. Eat fish, meat, eggs, and soy regularly.
Vitamin A: Essential for skin cell turnover.
Imagine your skin becoming resilient as you eat and apply cream. This mental image is important！
Relieving Edema to Prevent Shadows
Shadows look worse on days when you are puffy.
Try this massage: Apply pressure from the start, peak, and end of your eyebrows, moving toward your temples.
Additionally, grasp the eyebrows and move them gently in all directions. Do this during your bath or while applying cream to avoid friction.
The Liver, Kidneys, and Shadows
Stress and fatigue lower liver function.
The liver plays a key role in protein metabolism, which supports skin structure.
When liver function drops, the body becomes less efficient at using protein building blocks, making under-eye skin less supported and shadows appear deeper.
The kidneys regulate fluid balance in the body.
When kidney function declines, fluid is more likely to build up under the eyes, causing puffiness that makes dark shadows more visible.
The liver and kidneys support each other.
The liver processes nutrients, proteins, and toxins, while the kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood.
If either function declines, fluid balance and skin metabolism can worsen, contributing to puffiness and deeper under-eye shadows.
My Personal Approach
When I get shadows, I don’t always treat the eyes directly. My cause is often not muscle weakness but tension in the Galea Aponeurotica and forehead.
Everyone has a different cause, so the approach must be different. Some cases cannot be perfectly fixed, which I explain in my online consultations.
Final Advice: If you work remotely, use a ring light!
It makes a huge difference in how you look on screen.
Please look at your whole face balance rather than obsessing over one small part. If you want to face this seriously, please contact me for a consultation.
