If you suffer from dark circles under your eyes, you're probably tired of people asking you if you're sick or tired. There's a variety of underlying causes -- and potential remedies -- for such circles, which can lower your self-esteem and make you hesitant to engage in social and work-related group activities.
A Common Condition
According to research performed by beauty product manufacturer Clinique and reported by "The New York Times," 53 percent of 13,000 women surveyed reported that circles and puffiness under the eyes were their top beauty concern. It's not limited to women, however, as many men suffer from the appearance of "raccoon eyes" as well. "The Times" cited a report by market research group Mintel stating that anti-aging products, which include the many dark-circle treatments on the market, increased from $588 million in 2001 to more than $1 billion in 2006.
Dietary and Habitual Causes
Sometimes, dark circles are simply the result of not getting enough or consistent enough sleep. You should focus on getting a solid eight hours of sleep and going to bed at the same time nightly to provide your body consistent rest. Smoking is another cause, as it tends to restrict flow through the blood vessels, including those under your eyes.
Allergies
Allergies are another potential cause of your dark circles because of the histamine reaction they often cause, as facial itchiness that may be causing you to rub your eyes. If you have allergies and you believe this might be causing your circles, consult a doctor about anti-allergy medication. The results may be two-fold: fewer allergic reactions, and a refreshed under-eye appearance.
Hyperpigmentation
Though dietary habits and other factors can cause dark circles, it can also be a hereditary condition or the result of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation occurs when patches of skin become darker because your body is producing excessive amounts of melanin, the naturally occurring substance that colors skin. This is especially prevalent in dark-skinned people and those of Middle Eastern, Hispanic and East Indian descent.
Autologous Fat Transplantation
Because many people with dark circles have found little success in home remedies and over-the-counter creams and other products, some have taken to undergoing autologous fat transplantation. The treatment involves a doctor removing unnecessary fat from one part of your body and injecting it under your eyes,this plumping the area and reducing skin transparency.A study at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Korea found that recipients of this treatment showed an average of 78 percent improvement. While there are many commercial products and home remedies -- such as cucumbers and drinking lots of water -- this is one of few scientifically proven fixes.
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