Dark under-eye circles aren't always the telltale result of too many late nights. This area of skin just under your eyes is particularly vulnerable to physical and genetic causes. Though you sometimes can't control whether you'll develop these dark circles, you can control how they look.
Significance
The area around your eyes -- the periorbital area -- is made up of thin, delicate skin with capillaries just under the surface. These capillaries may bend, causing tiny amounts of blood to leak out. As your body gets rid of this leaked blood, you get the characteristic under-eye circles. This is a process of oxidation or hemoglobin degradation. Hemoglobin gives your blood cells their red color, and when it is broken up into smaller components during oxidation, it changes color to a dark blue-red, according to the Dark Circles Be Gone website.
Features
When the capillaries under your eyes break, the resulting dark circles look just like a bruise, according to the Dark Circles Be Gone website. Even though you may be tired from working hard or living your life, you may develop these dark circles for a variety of reasons, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Types
Some causes of dark under-eye circles include pigmentation irregularities, sun exposure, atopic dermatitis or eczema, nasal congestion or thinning skin and loss of fat and collagen under your eyes. When your nose becomes congested, the capillaries and veins running from your eyes to your nose dilate, causing the darkened under-eye appearance. If you have irregular pigmentation in your skin, the area just under your eyes might appear to be darker. As you expose your skin to the sun, your body produces additional melanin, which gives your skin its color. If your family has a history of under-eye circles, you may inherit this tendency, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Considerations
If you smoke, drink caffeinated sodas or alcohol, you may develop the tendency for under-eye circles, according to the Mayo Clinic. To decrease their appearance, drink at least 1 1/2 liters to 2 liters of water daily, get at least eight hours of sleep at night and eat more fruits and vegetables. If you smoke, try to quit, according to the Softpedia website.
Prevention/Solution
Use one of these simple, at-home remedies to decrease the appearance of dark under-eye circles. Place one slice of chilled cucumber over your closed eyes, just over the darkest under-eye area, leaving them on for five to 10 minutes. The coolness of the cucumber makes the blood vessels constrict, lessening the under-eye circles. Or, wet and chill two tea bags and place them on top of your closed eyes. Choose chamomile tea bags. Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps reduce the puffy skin and dark areas under your eyes. Or, put your ring fingers on the inner corner of your eyes and press gently three to four times, then move your fingers gradually to the outer corners of each eye, pressing gently until you reach the temple areas, recommends Softpedia.
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