Dark circles under the eyes can happen for a number of reasons. The Wrong Diagnosis website lists 110 conditions that can result in dark circles appearing under your eyes. Some of the most common reasons are related to health problems, while others have to do with habits such as sleeping too little or persistent eye rubbing.
Step 1
Rule out medical conditions that might be causing the dark circles to appear. These include hay fever, allergies, nasal congestion, reactions to food or eczema. Phenol sulfotransferase deficiency, a rare enzyme deficiency, can also cause a buildup of liquid under the eyes and make the skin look dark. If your doctor determines that the circles are caused by one of these problems, he will prescribe the right medication to address the issue.
Step 2
Visit a dermatologist to rule out pigmentation. According to an article in the NY Times, the number one cause of dark circles under the eyes is discoloration of the skin. The problem becomes more prevalent as you age, but spending long periods of time in the sun can worsen the problem. To treat pigmentation, doctors can use laser treatments, skin fillers and surgery.
Step 3
Get tested for iron deficiency. According to an article in the Daily Mail UK, anemia can cause a number of symptoms, including dark circles. You can try solving the problem on your own by upping the iron content of your diet and seeing if that makes a difference. Foods rich in iron include red meats, beans, eggs and dark green leafy vegetables. Have a glass of orange juice with your meal, as vitamin C boosts iron absorption.
Step 4
Sleep more. Lack of sleep makes your skin look sallow, which in turn makes the blood vessels under the skin more prominent. This accentuates dark circles. Dehydration caused by drinking too much alcohol or too little water can also worsen the problem.
Step 5
Try a cream that contains alphahydroxy acids (AHAs). Meant to treat signs of aging, AHAs can thicken the skin and diminish the appearance of dark circles. According to the NY Times, other ingredients that might help dark circles include vitamins C and K and chestnut rose extract.
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