Dark circles refer to the swelling or inflammation under your eyes. It can be caused by various factors. Genetics, allergies, and certain medical conditions can also contribute to their appearance. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as poor sleep quality, dehydration, and more can cause puffiness and discoloration. Thinning skin, sun damage, and aging can also make dark circles more noticeable. With multiple potential causes, it’s essential to identify the underlying reason to effectively address the issue and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Various treatments can then be explored.
What are the dark circles under your eyes?
According to Cleveland Clinic, dark circles under the eyes refer to the discoloration of the skin below eyes, in the shades of blue, purple, brown, or black depending on the skin tone. This can give the appearance of looking tired or older than you actually are. While dark circles can have various causes, they’re usually not a sign of a serious medical issue, but rather a cosmetic concern that people may want to address for aesthetic reasons.
Reasons you might be having dark circles
According to healthline, following can be the causes of your dark circles: Age: As we age, our skin naturally loses its elasticity and becomes thinner, causing it to sag. The loss of fat and collagen makes the dark blood vessels underneath more visible, leading to the appearance of dark circles. Additionally, aging can cause the area under the eyes to become hollow, creating a tired or aged look. This combination of skin thinning and volume loss can make dark circles more noticeable, giving the impression of fatigue or advanced age.Lack of sleep: When you don’t get enough sleep or oversleep, your skin can look dull and pale, making the blood vessels and dark tissues underneath more noticeable. Lack of sleep can also cause fluid to accumulate under the eyes, leading to puffiness. Essentially, sleep deprivation can make the area under your eyes look darker and more swollen due to the combination of skin dullness and fluid retentionAllergies: Allergies and dry eyes can contribute to dark circles. When an allergic reaction occurs, the body releases histamines, causing itchy, red, and puffy eyes. Scratching the itchy area can lead to inflammation, swelling, and broken blood vessels, resulting in discoloration and darkening of the skin under the eyes. Eye strain: Prolonged screen time can cause eye strain, which may enlarge the blood vessels around your eyes, making dark circles more noticeable. This is because the increased blood flow and swelling can make the vessels more visible under the skin, contributing to the appearance of dark circles.Dehydration: Dehydration can contribute to dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. When the body lacks sufficient fluids, the skin under the eyes can appear dull, enhancing the appearance of dark circles due to the proximity of the skin to the underlying bone structure.Sun exposure: Prolonged sun exposure can lead to dark circles under the eyes due to post-inflammatory pigmentation. Excessive sun exposure can stimulate the production of melanin, causing it to accumulate under the eyes and resulting in hyperpigmentation, which manifests as dark circles.Genetics: Research suggests that genetics play a role in the development of dark circles under the eyes. A 2014 study found that 63% of participants had a strong link between dark circles and family history, indicating that it can be an inherited trait appearing in childhood and changing in intensity over time.Anemia: Anemia occurs when your red blood cell count is lower than normal, leading to symptoms like dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. These symptoms can make you feel drained and unwell
Diagnosing dark circles
Dark circles under the eyes are usually harmless, but if they’re getting darker, swelling, or bothering you, it’s best to consult a doctor or dermatologist. According to healthline: They’ll perform tests like a physical exam, medical history review, eyelid stretch test, or slit lamp exam, and possibly blood tests to determine the cause. Based on the results, they’ll classify the dark circles as pigmented, post-inflammatory, vascular, structural, or mixed-type. Despite being common, there’s still limited research on the causes and treatments of dark circles.
Home remedies and prevention tips to reduce your dark circles
According to Cleveland Clinic, you can try out following home remedies to treat dark circles: 1. Aim for 7+ hours of sleep to avoid dark circles.
2. Elevate your head up with extra pillows to minimize puffiness.3. Use cold compresses, such as cold spoons, to shrink blood vessel size.4. Put cucumber slices on your eyes to help reduce puffiness.
5. Put cold tea bags under your eyes to help increase circulation.6. Get a facial, with eye massage, to help with circulation.
7. Use under-eye concealer and makeup to cover the dark circles.8. Use sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses)
9. Manage stress through self-care.10. Limit alcohol consumption.11. Quit smoking and tobacco use to slow down skin aging.Also read | Monsoon Hair Care: 10 Essential Tips for Frizz‑Free, Healthy Locks
