Dark circles under the eyes are no fun. They can be telltale signs of larger problems, such as insomnia, illness, anemia or stress---or they can be simply a hereditary cosmetic flaw that sticks around even when you're well-rested and healthy. Either way, they're not flattering on anyone, and they can be difficult to treat once they've shown up.
Dark Circles Under the Eye Defined
Dark circles are areas under the eyes where blood or blood vessels are showing through the delicate skin. Looking at blood through the skin causes it to appear bluish. Because skin under the eyes is the thinnest skin on the body, it becomes see-through, particularly as we age and lose the fat pads that act as a buffer. That's why dark circles tend to worsen with age.
Dark Shadows
Sometimes, people think they have dark circles under their eyes, when in fact they're just looking at shadows created by puffy eyelids or hollows under the eyes. To test this, gently pull on the area where you see darkness. If it remains dark even after you stretch it out a little, it's truly a dark circle, whereas if the color returns to your normal skin tone, chances are good that you were looking at a shadow.
Temporary Causes
A lack of quality sleep can cause or worsen dark circles, so it's important not only to get enough sleep, but also uninterrupted sleep. If you are waking up several times a night due to factors such as sleep apnea, sleep terrors or restless leg syndrome, this may rob you of quality sleep and result in dark circles.
Illnesses, particularly those that cause nasal congestion, can also play a role. Sun exposure, too much sodium in your diet, dehydration, and use of alcohol and caffeine can contribute to the formation of dark circles under the eye as well.
Long-Term Causes
One of the major causes of chronic dark circles is allergies and other sources of long-term nasal congestion. People with itchy, irritated eyes often rub their eyes and break the capillaries under the delicate skin, which causes blood to pool up under the skin and show through.
Other factors that can cause or aggravate dark circles include iron deficiency anemia, eczema, uneven pigmentation and smoking.
Treatments
Often, the first defense to treat dark circles is simply to cover them up with concealer or foundation. If an underlying issue is found (such as allergies or anemia), clearing up that issue should clear up the dark circles. Some quick fixes include sleeping on the back with an extra pillow (to reduce the fluids that accumulate under the eyes), using a cold compress or cold cucumber slices under the eyes for 10 minutes, or steeping and then chilling tea bags and applying them under the eyes for 10 minutes. The tea should contain caffeine for this to be effective.
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