What Causes Dark Circles Under Eyes: Finding the Reasons
Dark circles are a common problem faced by people of all ages. Besides fatigue, many factors contribute to the development of dark skin under the eyes.
The condition is called Periorbital hyperpigmentation in medical terms.
Excessive pigmentation is the leading underlying cause of dark under-eye circles.
Keep reading to learn what causes dark circles under your eyes.
Causes of dark circles
The skin under your eyes is one of the thinnest and most delicate in the body, making it sensitive to many environmental factors.
This is what causes dark circles under the eyes to become more noticeable.
Aging
Your skin becomes thinner with age. You start losing the fat and collagen needed to maintain skin elasticity.
This results in more visible dark blood vessels beneath your eyes, creating dark circles under your eyes.
Tear troughs deepening with age is another typical factor in causing dark circles.
It is a deep crease located between the lower eyelid and upper cheeks.
Genetics
Genetics significantly affects what kind of skin we will have and look like as we age.
A study by Goodman and Belcher reported that genetics could also cause dark circles under your eyes.
Their study showed that many families had several members with pigmentation around the periorbital area.
Many members observed the pigmentation at an early age, increasing with age.
Based on lifestyle, some are mildly affected, and some are severely affected.
Allergies
Seasonal allergies are some of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes.
They result in poor blood circulation in the lower eyelid leading to darker under-eye circles.
Also, some year-round allergies, like those of dust or mold, trigger the release of Histamines. This causes inflammation or dilation of the blood vessels, including those under your eyes.
This makes blood vessels swell and become more visible, resulting in dark circles.
Excessive rubbing to soothe itching or pain near the eye can also lead to increased Inflammation, Edema, and damaged blood vessels, leading to the darkening of the eyes.
Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep can add to the darkness under your eyes.
At night, when your body is resting, blood circulation can focus on the tissues and cells of your body.
If you do not get enough sleep, it can increase the stress on your body.
As a result of increased stress, the steroid compounds produced by the body reduce blood circulation to the skin.
Poor circulation and deoxygenated blood buildup can make under-eye circles more visible.
Sun exposure
The skin around your eyes is sensitive and constantly exposed to the environment.
Therefore, extreme sun exposure can increase the production of pigment Melanin in the skin.
Particularly around your eyes due to the sensitive skin.
This leads to darker skin under your eyes.
To learn tips on how to hide them, take a look at “How to Cover Dark Circles Under the Eyes.”
Anemia
Anemia or an iron deficiency can cause dark eye circles.
In Anemia, the body’s tissues do not receive enough oxygen, resulting in the darkening of the skin under the eyes.
Water retention
Water retention, also known as Edema, is the swelling of the skin.
It occurs when the body is not appropriately nourished with water. This causes the skin beneath the eyes to look dull and hollow due to the proximity to the underlying bone.
It can cause blood to pool underneath your eyes, giving them a darkened appearance.
Other causes
Apart from the primary causes we saw above, there are other factors that contribute to the darkening of under-eye skin.
Staring at a computer screen all day can put a lot of stress on the blood vessels around the eyes, forcing them to work hard without proper rest.
Medications that dilute your blood are also a reason for dark eye circles.
Vitamin deficiency of B12, E, K, and D has also been associated with dark circles under the eyes.
You can read “A Look At Vitamins For Dark Circles” to learn about vitamins that can help reduce them.
In some cases, pregnancy and exogenous hormones are contributing factors.
Relatively large veins under the eyes can also cause dark circles.
Wrinkles and laxity are other reasons for dark circles under the eyes, which generally worsen with age.
Other lifestyle choices, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, can also result in forming dark circles under the eyes.
Takeaway
Excessive pigmentation is the common reason for dark circles with many underlying factors.
Thus it is important to find out what causes dark circles under the eyes to get proper treatment.
Dark circles can occur due to various natural reasons, including aging, heredity, and allergies.
You can discuss this with your doctor to learn about the origins of dark circles, and they can help you find the best-suited ways to reduce these dark circles.
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