Dark eye circles can affect both men and women, and in some instances, children are also affected. Age, background and lifestyle habits are all contributing factors in the development of dark circles. While some of the causes of dark eye circles are unavoidable, lifestyle changes can lessen your chances of developing dark eye circles caused by environment factors.
Allergies and Nasal Congestion
Allergies and nasal congestion often go hand-in-hand. Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital explains that this congestion causes excess blood to flow into the lower eye area, causing what is known as "allergic shiners." The skin under your eyes is thinner than other areas of your face, which can cause the veins in the lower eye area to become more apparent--giving the appearance of dark circles or shadows under your eyes. In most cases, once the allergies and congestion are resolved, the dark circles disappear.
Aging
While it is true that the skin under your eyes is thin no matter what your age, it becomes even thinner as you age. According to the University of Washington, skin also becomes more fragile and less elastic. Fat pads found under the skin of your eyes diminish with age, giving more exposure to the network of veins and blood vessels in your lower eye area. This loss of fat in combination with thin, fragile skin can cause give the appearance of dark shadows that worsen over time.
The Sun
Sun damage is another cause of dark eye circles. Ultraviolet rays cause your skin to age prematurely, and can be especially damaging to the area around your eyes that is already suffering from the loss of fat and elasticity. Sun exposure forces melanin to rise to the surface of the skin. Melanin is what gives your skin its color, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Excessive amounts of melanin dotting the eye area can cause the appearance of dark circles. Eye protection and the use of a sunscreen can reduce further sun damage.
Genetics
Unfortunately, dark eye circles tend to run in some families. The condition is especially noticeable in fair-skinned families that have deep-set eyes. In fact, the bone structure of your face plays a large role in the development of dark eye circles. Deep-set eyes are more prone to fluid retention, which can give the area under your eyes a darkened appearance. Laurie Drake of The Style Glossy, suggests the use of a peach colored concealer to hide your dark eye circles.
Caffeine, Nicotine and Alcohol
According to Richard P Rand, MD, cigarette smoke can irritate your eyes, causing you to squint more than you normally would. This squinting deepens the lines around your eyes. The deeper the lines, the more shadowing that occurs--causing dark eye circles. The dehydrating effects of alcohol and caffeine consumption can also cause the skin of your eyes to appear darker than normal, especially if the use of either causes you to lose sleep.
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