Although rarely a medical concern, having dark circles under the eyes is one of the biggest beauty concerns of many women. In 2006, the beauty care company Clinique surveyed 13,000 of their users and found that about 53 percent cited under-eye circles and puffiness as their number-one beauty concern. Dark circles under the eyes are commonly caused by heredity, but besides genetics, a number of factors can lead to these under-eye shadows.
Identification
MayoClinic.com defines dark circles under the eyes as "round, uniform areas of pigmentation beneath each eye." In many people, the dark circles appear sunken into the skin, between the eyes and the cheekbones. Dark circles can be found on men, women and children. Dark circles under the eyes can make a person look more tired or older than they actually are. When a dark circle appears under just one eye and gets worse over time, talk to your doctor, as a medical problem may exist.
Lifestyle Causes
You don't have to party all night to wake up with dark circles under your eyes. Getting less than seven hours of good sleep is one trigger. Another is drinking caffeinated sodas or alcoholic beverages. Smoking can also lead to those under-eye shadows. Just as lying out in the sun can tan your skin, it can darken the area under your eyes.
Medical Causes
Food and environmental allergies are a common medical cause of dark circles under the eyes. Nasal congestion can darken the veins that drain from your eyes to your nose, cites MayoClinic.com. People of color such as African-Americans, Southeast Asians and Southern Italians are more likely to have these dark circles because of excess pigmentation in the skin. Aging and eczema also cause dark, under-eye circles.
Home Remedies
Adjusting your lifestyle, such as limiting your alcohol and caffeine consumption, or spending less time in the sun, is one way to rid under eye circles. Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water is another way. Applying cold compresses, sleeping with extra pillows and wearing sunscreen lotion and dark sunglasses can also help, adds MayoClinic.com.
Treatment
Your treatment will depend on the cause of your problem. If you suffer from a stuffy nose, try a nasal saline rinse to relieve your congestion. If you haven't identified the root of your problem, Dr. John A. Persing, from the Yale University School of Medicine, recommends creams that contain a plumping agent, alphahydroxy acids, or vitamins C and K. However, Persing warns that most over-the-counter creams aren't formulated for those with excess pigmentation or diluted veins. Medical treatment includes laser therapy and chemical peels.
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