How to Treat Broken Capillaries Under the Eyes
Dark circles under the eyes can make you look tired even after a good night's sleep. But are those dark circles really caused by "broken capillaries"? Not always.
What Are "Broken Capillaries" Under the Eyes?
The term "broken capillaries" is commonly used to describe tiny visible blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. However, these vessels are not necessarily literally broken.
The skin underneath the eyes is extremely thin. As a result, blood vessels can sometimes become more noticeable, particularly when the skin becomes thinner with age or when genetics make the vessels more visible.
Arterioles carry oxygen-rich blood toward the skin, venules carry blood away, and capillaries connect the two. Normally, these tiny vessels are difficult to see. When the skin becomes thinner or more translucent, however, they may become visible.
For more information about the causes of dark circles, see Cleveland Clinic's guide to dark circles under the eyes .
Why Do Blood Vessels Become More Visible?
1. Genetics
Some people naturally have thinner skin or are genetically more likely to develop noticeable dark circles. If several members of your family have similar under-eye circles, genetics may be part of the explanation.
2. Aging
As we age, the skin under the eyes can become thinner and lose volume. This can make underlying blood vessels easier to see and may also create hollows that cast shadows.
3. Rubbing the Eyes
Frequent rubbing or scratching can irritate the delicate skin around the eyes and may make discoloration more noticeable.
4. Allergies
Allergies can contribute to dark circles sometimes known as "allergic shiners." Nasal congestion and frequent rubbing of the eyes can make the area appear darker.
Learn more about this issue from Cleveland Clinic's information about allergic shiners .
5. Sun Exposure and Pigmentation
UV exposure can increase melanin production and contribute to pigmentation around the eyes. Sun protection is therefore an important part of managing many types of dark circles.
Interactive Check: What Type of Dark Circle Do You Have?
Choose the description that sounds most like your situation. This quick guide is educational and is not intended to diagnose a medical condition.
Remember: More than one factor can contribute to dark circles, and this interactive check is not a medical diagnosis.
Can Broken Capillaries Under the Eyes Be Treated?
Visible blood vessels and certain types of dark circles can sometimes be improved with cosmetic treatments. However, the treatment should be selected according to the underlying cause.
A dermatologist or appropriately qualified medical professional can assess whether the darkness is mainly caused by visible blood vessels, pigmentation, thin skin, tear-trough hollowing, puffiness, allergies, or a combination of these factors.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense Pulsed Light, commonly called IPL, is a light-based treatment that may be considered for certain pigmentation and vascular concerns.
IPL uses pulses of light to target specific structures in the skin. It is not appropriate for every type of dark circle, and treatment around the eyes requires particular care.
According to DermNet , laser and IPL treatments may be used for selected types of dark circles, although results depend on the underlying cause and improvement may be partial.
Questions to Ask Before IPL
- Is my problem actually vascular?
- Would IPL or another laser be more appropriate?
- How many sessions might I need?
- What side effects are possible for my skin type?
- What eye protection will be used?
- What should I avoid before and after treatment?
- How long should redness or swelling last?
The American Academy of Dermatology emphasizes the importance of having laser and light-based treatments performed by appropriately trained professionals.
Other Treatment Options
Topical Treatments
Certain topical ingredients may help when pigmentation contributes to dark circles. However, the skin around the eyes is delicate, and stronger products can cause irritation.
Avoid applying strong acids, bleaching agents or prescription creams close to the eyes unless they have been recommended specifically for you by a qualified healthcare professional.
Laser Treatments
Certain laser treatments may help selected patients with pigmentation, visible vessels or skin-quality concerns. The appropriate device depends on the cause, skin type and professional assessment.
Dermal Fillers
If the darkness is primarily caused by a hollow under the eye rather than pigmentation or visible blood vessels, an appropriately performed filler treatment may sometimes improve the shadowing.
This is a completely different problem from visible capillaries, which is why identifying the cause is so important.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
In some people, excess skin, fat or age-related changes around the lower eyelid contribute significantly to the appearance of bags and shadows. In such cases, lower-eyelid surgery may be considered.
What Can You Do at Home?
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
Use appropriate sun protection and sunglasses. Reducing UV exposure can help prevent pigmentation from becoming darker.
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
If your eyes are frequently itchy, try to identify the cause rather than repeatedly rubbing them. Allergies, dryness and irritation can all encourage eye rubbing.
Improve Your Sleep
Poor sleep can make existing dark circles and shadows appear more noticeable. Getting enough sleep may not eliminate hereditary dark circles, but it can improve their overall appearance.
Try a Cool Compress
A cool compress may temporarily reduce puffiness and can make prominent blood vessels less noticeable. Keep the compress cool rather than extremely cold, and never place ice directly on the skin.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Most dark circles are not a sign of a serious medical condition. However, medical evaluation is recommended if the change is new, persistent, significantly swollen, painful, or mainly affects one eye.
You should also seek professional medical advice if you experience changes in vision, significant eye pain, discharge, or other unusual eye symptoms.
The Bottom Line
There is no single treatment that removes every type of dark circle.
What looks like a "broken capillary" could actually be visible blood vessels, pigmentation, thin skin, allergies, puffiness or a shadow created by the natural anatomy of the face.
That is why the best first step is not choosing a laser or IPL treatment. It is finding out what is actually causing the darkness.
If visible blood vessels are the main problem, a qualified dermatologist or cosmetic physician may discuss vascular laser or light-based treatment. If pigmentation is responsible, a different approach may be needed. If the problem is caused by hollowing beneath the eyes, treating blood vessels will not address the underlying issue.
The most important rule
Diagnosis comes before treatment.
Questions to Ask Before an Under-Eye Treatment
- What is the most likely cause of my dark circles?
- Are visible blood vessels actually contributing to the problem?
- Why are you recommending this particular treatment?
- What alternatives are available?
- What side effects are possible for my skin type?
- How many sessions might I need?
- What should I expect during recovery?
- What happens if the treatment does not produce the expected result?
A good consultation should leave you understanding what is being treated, why it is being treated, and what result is realistically possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dark circles always caused by broken capillaries?
No. Dark circles can have several causes, including visible blood vessels, pigmentation, thin skin, allergies, puffiness and hollowness beneath the eyes.
Can IPL remove dark circles completely?
Not necessarily. IPL may help selected vascular or pigmentation-related concerns, but results depend on the cause of the dark circles and individual factors.
How can I tell whether my dark circles are vascular?
Blue, purple or reddish discoloration can suggest that visible blood vessels are contributing, but appearance alone cannot establish a diagnosis. A professional assessment is the safest way to determine the cause.
Is it safe to treat blood vessels around the eyes?
Treatments around the eyes require special care because the area is delicate. Light or laser procedures should be performed by an appropriately trained professional using suitable eye protection.
When should I see a doctor about dark circles?
Seek medical advice if the change is new, persistent, painful, significantly swollen or mainly affects one eye, particularly if you also have vision changes or other unusual eye symptoms.
Trusted Medical Resources
- Cleveland Clinic – Dark Circles Under the Eyes
- DermNet – Dark Circles Under the Eyes
- American Academy of Dermatology – Laser and Light Treatments
- Cleveland Clinic – Allergic Shiners