Dark circles under the eyes are skin areas with abnormal pigmentation, caused by a variety of potential factors and underlying medical conditions. Men, women and even children can develop dark under-eye circles. Dark circles can make you look older and tired, but they usually aren't serious health concerns. If you're concerned about the dark circles under your eyes, see your physician or a dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.
Causes
Although in some cases dark under-eye circles are simply caused by a hollowing under your eyes or shadows from puffy eyelids, dark circles can also occur due to an actual change in skin pigmentation, MayoClinic.com says. You can develop dark circles under your eyes from a variety of underlying health conditions, including nasal congestion, eczema or a hereditary trait for under-eye circles. Dark under-eye circles are also a common symptom of allergic rhinitis and are called "allergic shiners," notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Or, you might have skin-pigmentation abnormalities that cause melanin deposits in your skin or skin translucency, according to the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology. In many cases, dark circles are caused by normal effects due to aging.
Function
Many of these causes for dark circles under the eyes have different mechanisms for changing the skin's appearance. For example, dark circles due to allergies are caused by rubbing your eyes, which can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of your skin, explains the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology. People who have skin translucency can have dark under-eye circles because the dermal capillaries and other blood vessels are more visible beneath the skin around the eyes. Dark circles are most common among older adults, because your skin thins due to fat and collagen loss as you age, revealing the blood vessels underneath, MayoClinic.com says. True skin-pigmentation issues are usually related to melanin deposits that cause the dark circles under your eyes, and these problems are most common in people with darker skin (references 1 & 2). Finally, nasal congestion can cause your veins to dilate and darken around your eyes, due to the increased blood flow draining from the eyes to the nose.
Significance
Dark under-eye circles aren't usually a cause for alarm, but instead are simply cosmetic issues, MayoClinic.com notes. You should, however, see your doctor or a dermatologist if you notice that you have worsening discoloration in one eye more than the other or severe swelling around your eyes. In very rare cases, dark circles could indicate a more serious health problem, such as the type of cancer called neuroblastoma, says the University of Michigan Health System. Bulging eyes with black circles around them are symptoms of neuroblastoma.
Prevention/Solution
A wide variety of treatment options are available for dark under-eye circles, ranging from cosmetic creams to surgery. You can use prescription creams, laser therapy, chemical peels, injectable fillers or cosmetic eye surgery to reduce the appearance of your dark circles, MayoClinic.com says. A topical cream containing vitamins C, E and K with retinol can help treat dark under-eye areas. Bleaching agents and topical retinoid creams are also used to treat dark circles, notes the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology. Or, you might simply cover the dark areas with make-up and employ some simple home remedies to reduce the dark circles. For example, getting more sleep, applying cold compresses to your eyelids and elevating your head at night can help the solve the problem.
Considerations
Discuss all treatment options for dark circles with your physician or dermatologist. Keep in mind that dark under-eye circles can relate to certain lifestyle issues, such as lack of sleep and bad habits. Excessive sun exposure, alcohol and caffeine consumption, and smoking can all contribute to dark under-eye circles as well, MayoClinic.com notes.
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