Dark circles under the eyes are usually not a medical problem, but they are often a cosmetic concern for many people. In addition to making you look older, under-eye circles can also mar your appearance. There are a number of different reasons why you get dark circles under your eyes.
Identification
Dark circles are uniform, round areas beneath the eyes that are darker in tone than the surrounding skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. In an online monograph, they note that under-eye circles are a skin condition that affects men and women alike. While they more commonly affect adults, infants and children can develop them, too.
Risk Factors
A number of factors make some people more predisposed to suffering from dark circles than others. According to dermatologist Paul Lazar, M.D., the most common type of under-eye circles are an inherited trait. In the book "Symptoms: Their Causes & Cures," he writes that people who have naturally pale or fair skin, for example, are vulnerable to developing dark circles. This is because bluish veins in the under-eye area show through their pale, translucent skin, which in turn gives the area a bluish tint and makes it appear darker. Dark circles may also form as a natural result of the aging process, as the skin in the under-eye area becomes paler, thinner and more translucent.
Causes of Dark Circles
There are a number of factors that may cause dark circles to form under the eyes, writes Tanushree Podder. In her book, "Beauty Solutions," she lists eye strain, acute fatigue, insomnia and an iron deficiency as some of the reasons dark circles may form. In rare circumstances, pregnancy may also lead to dark circles because of the hormonal changes in the body.
Misconceptions
According to the Mayo Clinic, dark circles usually are not the result of a lack of sleep as is widely believed; you can get plenty of sleep and still be plagued with dark circles under your eyes. Fatigue is not a main cause of these circles either, the Mayo Clinic writes in an online monograph, even though they may make you feel and appear tired and unhealthy.
Warning
Under-eye circles are unique to the individual, writes Lisa Drayer in "The Beauty Diet." Even though they are usually harmless to your health, they can sometimes be symptoms of a serious underlying condition such as a vitamin K deficiency. You should always work with your physician or other licensed professional before you self-diagnose or self-treat your dark circles.
References
- The Mayo Clinic: Dark Circles Under Eyes: Causes
- Symptoms: Their Causes & Cures: How to Understand and Treat 265 Health Concerns"; Prevention Health Books; 1996
- "Beauty Solutions"; Tanushree Podder; 2000
- "The Beauty Diet: Looking Great Has Never Been So Delicious"; Lisa Drayer; 2008
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