Do you have dark under eye circles that make you look tired and ten years older? Unfortunately, many of us do. I remember having them even as young as in high school. I would try to apply concealer, hoping they would cover up the bruised appearance under my eyes without success, probably because I couldn’t apply it correctly. Nowadays, with the abundance of skincare products and advanced science, there’s probably something out there that gives you better results.
What Causes Dark Under-Eye Circles?
The area under the eyes appears darker when constricted blood vessels beneath the skin are visible, or when there is thinning of the skin around the eyes. There are many reasons why dark under-eye circles can occur. The following are some factors that may cause those unsightly dark rings under your eyes.
Fatigue
Lack of sleep or poor sleeping habits can cause the skin to appear paler making dark tissue and blood vessels under the skin more visible. Sleep deprivation can also result in fluid build-up leaving eyes looking puffy. When that happens, the puffiness can cast a shadow, making them look like dark under-eye circles.
Aging
As we get older, our skin loses fat and collagen necessary to maintain skin elasticity. The skin becomes thinner, making the dark blood vessels underneath your skin more visible.
Eyestrain
The eyes can become strained when looking at a computer or television for too long. The blood vessels around the eyes get enlarged when the eyes are strained, resulting in a darkened appearance around the eyes.
Allergies
Allergies can cause itchiness, redness, and puffy eyes. Histamines released from the reaction causes blood vessels to dilate, making them more visible. Itching and rubbing the eyes from allergies can result in inflammation, swelling, and broken blood vessels, which worsen the dark under-eye circles.
Sun Overexposure
The sun causes the skin to produce excess melanin, a pigment that turns your skin darker. When you get too much sun for the eyes, it can cause discoloration in the skin surrounding the eyes.
Dehydration
Lack of sufficient hydration can cause your eyes to look sunken and skin to look dull, leaving the appearance of dark under eye circles.
Genetics
Genes and family history can play a significant role in developing dark under-eye circles. It can be inherited, or being predisposed to certain medical conditions can cause discoloration under the eyes.
How To Get Rid Of Dark Under-Eye Circles?
Dark under-eye circles resulting from fatigue, dehydration, and eye strain are easier to address by just changing the bad habits causing them. For allergies, many might not realize that taking an antihistamine can help clear up dark under-eye circles. The best treatment for pigmentation caused by overexposure to the sun is to use topical lightening agents. Vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice extract help to decrease discoloration under the eyes over time. Retinoid is also great in treating dark under-eye circles resulting from thinning skin. It works by rebuilding dermal collagen and thereby contributing to vascular support in the area and recovering skin volume and firmness.
