Dark circles under the eyes may be caused by a range of factors including lack of sleep, according to MayoClinic.com. Dark circles do not usually indicate a serious illness. However, if you suffer from dark circles under your eyes, it can lessen your confidence in your physical appearance, making you appear tired or feel washed out and fatigued. Addressing possible causes of the dark circles can help you regain confidence. Always consult your doctor for medical advice regarding any symptoms that concern you.
Symptoms
The medical definition of dark circles under the eyes is the presence of a uniform, circular area of pigmentation under each eye. Commonly, dark circles under the eyes first manifest during adulthood, although it is possible for children to experience symptoms. Both men and women may be affected by dark under-eye circles.
Causes
The most common causes of dark circles under the eyes include specific allergies, dermatitis problems such as eczema, genetic factors, nasal congestion or exposure to the sun. Additionally, dark under-eye circles can be caused by aging -- as you get older, the skin on your face typically thins and loses collagen. This causes the blood vessels in the under-eye area to appear more visible or prominent.
If you are fatigued or deprived of sleep, dark circles may appear as under-eye blood vessels dilate, becoming more prominent and showing a reddish-blue color. Through your skin, this looks like a dark circle. If the skin around your eyes becomes swollen or shows the effects of fatigue -- if, for example, you are rubbing your eyes because of sleepiness -- this will also increase the visibility of the net of blood vessels under your eyes.
Prevention/Solution
If your dark circles are caused by a lack of sleep, establishing a regular and sufficient sleep routine should help lessen these symptoms. If necessary, you could seek help from a doctor regarding sleep aids.
Although you cannot do much about hereditary or genetic factors causing dark circles under the eyes, you can make some lifestyle changes that potentially may reduce or eliminate your symptoms. For example, giving up smoking, alcohol and sodas containing caffeine may reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles. Protect your skin in the sun -- sunlight can cause an increase in melanin and resulting dark pigmentation on your face.
Misconceptions
Although insomnia or a lack of sleep may cause dark under-eye circles, this is not the most common cause of the problem. MayoClinic.com states that -- contrary to popular belief -- fatigue and partying are not the primary causes of dark circles under the eyes. Hereditary factors, allergies and the overall aging process are more likely causes of such dark circles than a lack of sleep.
Expert Insight
According to MedlinePlus, dark under-eye circles are one of the physical signs associated with insomnia or difficulty sleeping. Current recommendations suggest that the average adult requires approximately eight hours of sleep every night in order to avoid signs of fatigue. Once you reach age 60, your nightly sleep requirements may decrease to as little as six hours. Smoking and alcohol are both implicated as causes of insomnia -- therefore, if you smoke and drink, these factors could cause dark under-eye circles both directly and indirectly.
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