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What are Dark Eye Circles?

K T Solis
K T Solis

Dark eye circles can make people look tired and old, even if they are not a day over 25 and receive eight to ten hours of sleep at night. Men and women from all races can have dark circles under their eyes, but it’s mostly prevalent in African Americans, Southern Italians, and Southeast Asians. Those who suffer from this annoying problem may often wonder if there is anything that can be done about it. No matter what methods people decide to try in order to rid themselves of dark eye circles, it’s important for them to understand why they appear under the eyes so they can learn to effectively combat them.

The sensitive skin beneath the eyes is thin and doesn’t have as many glands as other parts of the body. As a person grows older, this thin skin tends to get drier and more wrinkled. The veins in the skin below the eye become more visible and dark eye circles begin to form. When people have dark circles under their eyes, they may be plagued with them for a variety of reasons.

Putting slices of potatoes on the eyes can help with dark circles.
Putting slices of potatoes on the eyes can help with dark circles.

People with dark eye circles often inherit the problem from a family member. If others in the family tree suffer from allergies, there’s a good chance they have dark under eye circles as well. Airborne allergens can cause a person to rub the eyes a great deal, thereby causing the eyes to become inflamed and irritated. As a result, the skin beneath the eye can often grow darker.

Placing damp, caffeinated tea bags on the eyes can help to get rid of dark circles.
Placing damp, caffeinated tea bags on the eyes can help to get rid of dark circles.

Not receiving enough sleep is another culprit. When people do not get enough shut-eye, they can find themselves with dark eye circles, broadcasting their late nights for all the world to see. Many night owls who don’t get enough rest or who keep late hours end up with skin that looks pale and haggard. Blood vessels are more easily noticeable beneath the eyes of those who are sleep deprived. Ultimately, those visible blood vessels contribute to pesky under eye circles.

Concealer can be used cover dark circles under the eyes.
Concealer can be used cover dark circles under the eyes.

The way bones are constructed can be another reason why someone is troubled by dark eye circles. If a person has deep set eyes, dark shadows can linger beneath them. People who spend a lot of time in the sun without proper protection can develop dark areas under the eyes since exposure to the sun can coax pigmentation toward the skin’s surface. Certain medications can even dilate the blood vessels so that dark circles form under the eyes. If a person eats an unhealthy diet, it creates yet another factor that contributes to dark under eye circles. Pregnant or menstruating women are also candidates for this problem because of changes in the hormones.

A retinol and vitamin K eye cream.
A retinol and vitamin K eye cream.

Once a person learns what causes dark eye circles, there are several tactics that can be used to combat them. First, it's important to drink at least 10 glasses of water each day. Get enough sleep—at least eight to ten hours a night. Eat a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables. If someone has allergies, under eye circles can often be eliminated with an over-the-counter antihistamine. Potato or cucumber slices are home-remedies that often help people get rid of eye circles as well. If none of these methods work, some people resort to topical creams fortified with Vitamins C and K or conceal the blemishes with makeup. Dark eye circles can be a frustrating problem, but understanding what they are and why they appear beneath the eyes will help people decide the best method to either eliminate or conceal them.

Discussion Comments

chrisinbama

@grumpyguppy: Another suggestion is to watch the consumption of salt in your diet. Try to keep the salt down to a minimum.

Antioxidant pigments may help strengthen blood vessels. The dietary supplements grape seed extract and pycnogenol contain antioxidant pigments, as well as cranberries, bilberries, black currant, blueberries, onions, legumes, parsley, and tea (green and black). In other words, eat kidney balanced foods.

wesley91

@grumpyguppy: Yes, there are several ways to remove dark circles. You can choose which of these works best for you. Applying teabags over closed eyes is another treatment for dark circles. However, you need to stay away from herbal teabags because they usually aren't very effective.

GrumpyGuppy

Are there any other remedies to help remove dark under eye circles?

christym

Iron deficiency anemia also causes dark circles under the eyes. However, this will cause more of a bluish tinge under the eyes. Dark circles may also be caused by dehydration which is why it is important to drink a lot of water daily.

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    • Putting slices of potatoes on the eyes can help with dark circles.
      By: Yahia LOUKKAL
      Putting slices of potatoes on the eyes can help with dark circles.
    • Placing damp, caffeinated tea bags on the eyes can help to get rid of dark circles.
      By: Shariff Che'Lah
      Placing damp, caffeinated tea bags on the eyes can help to get rid of dark circles.
    • Concealer can be used cover dark circles under the eyes.
      By: cedrov
      Concealer can be used cover dark circles under the eyes.
    • A retinol and vitamin K eye cream.
      By: picsfive
      A retinol and vitamin K eye cream.
    • People with dark eye circles often inherit the problem from a family member.
      By: WONG SZE FEI
      People with dark eye circles often inherit the problem from a family member.