What at-home test does the speaker recommend to distinguish shadowing from pigmentation?

Shereene IdrissBoard Certified Derm, Founder and Chief Nerd

Dark Circles 101 #shorts

24 Jul 2023 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:58

Dermatologist Shereene Idriss breaks down dark circles into two types: vascular shadowing from congestion or tiredness, or true hyperpigmentation that's often hereditary. Try this test: lie down under bright light. If the darkness vanishes, it's shadowing. If it stays, it's pigmentation.

Questions this video answers

Lie down and turn an overhead light on; if the darkness disappears it’s due to shadowing (congestion, tiredness, allergies); if it remains it’s due to hyperpigmentation (usually hereditary or from chronic rubbing).

Chapters

How to differentiate your dark circles in your under eye area because chances are you're wasting and pissing away your money on creams that cost hundreds of dollars that aren't doing jack shit for you. I'm a board certified dermatologist and not all dark under eye circles are created equal. Some are due to blood vessels, congestions, allergies, etc. Kind of like what I have going on. Others are due to pigmentation and that's usually hereditary and genetics. Here's a quick way to differentiate between the two so that you know what kind of eye cream to purchase. Lay down, turn an overhead light on and if that darkness disappears then it's due to shadowing from congestion, tiredness, lack of sleep or even allergies. But if the darkness remains when the light goes on, that discoloration is due to hyperpigmentation and that is usually genetically linked or it can even occur from chronic rubbing. If you want to learn more about how you can help yourself, my newest YouTube is up now and it's all about your under eyes. Enjoy.