Hello XXXXXX,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to XXXXXXX

Myself Dr S K Kanodia and will try to provide you the best of information regarding your query.

I can understand your concern for the dark circles and the dark patches over the temple area.
The problem from which you are suffering from is medically known as "Periocular melanosis" or in short "POM" with melanosis of temple area. This is common problem in today's world of high-tech generation.

To explain you better, we have our skin divided into multiple layers. The most superficial layer is known as "epidermis". This layer contains the special cells known as "melanocytes" which produces color giving pigment known as "melanin".

Now the interesting fact is that in all the human beings the number of these cells are fixed, meaning all of us whether fair or dark complexion have the same number of these melanocytes in our skin. So you must be asking why is the color difference in different individuals as well as in same person having different colors at different sites- as in your case there are dark circles as well as dark patches over temple area different from the rest of skin.

This is because of the difference in the activity of different melanocytes at different areas. As in your skin around eyes and at temple area the melanocytes are producing higher than normal color so it appears more darker than rest of the skin.

Along with above fact one important fact is that the skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin on our body. That means we don't have that amount of underlying fat which is present on rest of the skin. This underlying fat have bit of beneficial effect in masking the dark color of the skin. So also any slightest of the change i this area around eyes will produce more appearance of darkness.

Now you must be asking why the melanocytes produce more color over these areas. there are many a factors for the dark circles such as genetical (if present in your family members), nutritional ( due to improper diet), improper daily schedule (including lack of exercise, yoga and improper sleep) and last but not the least due to stress of any kind).

For the melanosis around the temple is due to genetical factor ( is common thing in females) and due to application of certain oils on scalp ( such as some scented oils or cosmetics containing certain chemicals) which actually irritates our skin and due to exposure to sunlight these creates more activity of melanocytes resulting in dark patches.

After the whole story you must be eager to know the solutions to get better.
As I can make out there is one important thing of working on laptops making the condition more aggravated. Also you appear to be a professional so your stress level or the daily schedule might be on busy side. As you are blessed with 4 year XXXXXXX and must be busy all the day and night so might be the sleep pattern.

Now follow the regimen below:
1. Stop the application of any kind of cosmetic products containing fragrance in it.
2. reduce the sun exposure to the best. apply a good medicated sunscreen daily half an hour before going out and reapply it after 3 hours.
3. I think you can not reduce the working on laptops. So in that case you do break routine schedule- meaning take a 5 minutes of break after half to one hour continuous working. Blink your eyes continuously so that your eyes do not get fatigued.
4. Use some king of soothing pads such as cold water packs regularly in eery 2-3 hours.
5. Do some eye exercises. We Indians are good in yoga so there are special yoga techniques for eyes also- know as "tratak" meaning using eyes muscle in different directions.
6. Take the best sleep of at least 8 hours per night. Take a power nap of 5 minute in day time (must have seen three idiots and must be able to remember Professor virus taking power nap!!) to rejuvenate and refresh in day time.
7. Go for your hemoglobin check and whether it is normal or subnormal do for best dirt.
7. Eat the best of nutrients in your diet. Include at least 3-4 seasonal fruits, salads, green leafy vegetables, sprouts and over night soaked and peeled almonds in every day's schedule.
8. Reduce your stress level. Go for morning walk and evening walk with your family.

Lastly there are certain medications in cream formulation such as Kojic acid, Azelaic acid and glycoloic acid with newer combination creams used under dermatological guidance giving you good results. You may need certain good vitamin and minerals especially containing iron in it for early improvement.
I suggest you to XXXXXXX a dermatologist in Bangalore and have good follow ups of at least 3-4 months for best results.
A long term follow is required with patience to see best results.

Hope these informations will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to help.

Regards.
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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Hi XXXXXX,
Really nice name!!
Welcome to the forum again.

Thanks for the appreciation and prompt follow up.

Now to tell you regarding cream would be beyond my limit because of the important fact that there are different grades of pigmentation- superficial, deep and very deep. So accordingly we dermatologist prescribe different formulations and different strengths for varying period of time, that too with great caution so that it should not irritate the skin.

So it is best judged by the treating dermatologist to see your kind of specific depth of pigmentation and prescribe you accordingly the best regimen.
Moreover facial skin and particularity eyes around skin is very thin and sensitive. So any regimen or treatment you follow, you apply the thinnest possible amount of cream so that it should not irritate the skin.

Meanwhile, you can start up with rest of the measures provided in previous Email and can also take any good iron tablet till the time you XXXXXXX a dermatologist.

Rest assured if you follow your good schedule with proper and best medical treatment then in next 3- 4 months you will be able to see comparable results.
Again I tell you, a long term follow is required with patience to see best results. So have patience and faith in your dermatologist.

Hope these informations will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to help.

"With glowing skin wishes for you and good health wishes for your family"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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HiXXXXXX,

Welcome again young lady.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Regarding dermatologist in Bangalore you can take help of our forum to find one in your area or you can visit Department of Dermatology at Medical College in Bangalore for the best possible treatment.

Hope to have provided with best informations. If you have any further query I will be happy to help in future also.

"With glowing skin wishes"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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