Here’s What Might Be Causing Those Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
It has happened to me at some point, and it might have happened to you as well. I mean, getting those dark circle under the eyes and not being completely sure as to where you got them from. Maybe it’s fatigue, you say. It’s true, although controversial, fatigue is indeed one of the causes of dark circles under the eyes.
Dark circles under the eyes are a common issue among people. Some embrace them, others try to get rid of them, but what matters is that in most cases, they are nothing too serious to worry about. However, in this article, we’re going to explore and give a further elaboration on some of the causes behind those mysterious dark circles.
First and foremost, what are dark circles under the eyes?
Well, dark circles under the eyes are also known as periorbital dark circles. Periorbital, is the tissue that surrounds the orbit of the eye. Dark circles are a result of the thin layer of skin under the eyes showing the blood contained in the vessels more prominently than in any other part of the body. So, as research has suggested, the skin under or around the eyes is thinner compared to the skin on the other parts of the body. However, it’s important to mention that dark circles under the eyes can be genetic as well. These are known with the name of ‘hereditary dark circles’ and there isn’t really much you can do about them. But there are also factors that contribute to dark circles under the eyes, and we have listed some of them below.
What contributes to dark circles under the eyes?
1. Lack of sleep
Although people have often regarded and disregarded lack of sleep to be one of the causes of dark circles, it has been concluded that dark circles might indeed be a result of sleeplessness. However, we do know that there are also other causes to dark circles, and lack of sleep or insomnia are simply one amongst many.
But how exactly does lack of sleep contribute to dark circles – well, as Everyday Health suggests, this tends to happen because lack of sleep may cause the blood vessels under the thin skin of the eyes to dilate and, therefore, a dark tint is created. Tiredness can also make the area under the eyes appear puffy, and in this way, you will get the so-called eye bags.
2. Dehydration
Dehydration is also one of the causes of dark circles under the eyes. It’s basically the skin under your eyes beginning to look dull as a result of your body not getting enough amount of water. According to research, this is because of their close proximity to the underlying bone.
However, if you’re interested to know whether or not your body is getting the proper amount of water, head over to our article on ‘8 signs you might be dehydrated’ here.
3. Rubbing your eyes
Although it might feel nice and relaxing, rubbing your eyes has also many ‘side effects’. We are aware tiredness or the need to sleep makes us reach for our eyes in order to give them a nice relaxing eye-rub, but you should know that rubbing can increase the dark circles under the eye since the pressure bursts small blood vessels under the skin.
4. Age
With the passage of years, the skin begins to lose its elasticity, we begin losing some of the fat and the collagen under our eyes, and therefore dark circles under the eyes tend to become more prominent. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and it can be found in the skin, bones, muscles, and tendons.
5. Exposure to the sun
The exposure to the sun is also one of the causes of dark circles under the eyes, and that’s due to the fact that the melanin content gets increased. And since the skin in this area is more sensitive, it tends to pigment more than the surrounding skin.
6. Eye-strain
Yes, even eye-strain can contribute to dark circles under the eyes. The blood vessels around the eyes enlarge and as a result, the skin surrounding the eyes might darken. Eye strain is when your eyes get tired by reading, watching television, or even staring at your computer screen.
7. Smoking
According to WellnessKeen, smoking induces the secretion of Matrix Metalloproteinases, which is good for the body when produced within reasonable limits. But when produced in excess, it causes the breakdown of vital collagen in the skin. So, when smoking blocks the production of collagen, the skin on the face might get affected.
It’s important to mention, however, in case your dark circles are not hereditary, you can treat them at home. There is a list of remedies you can find if you head over to our article on ‘5 Simple Home Remedies That Can Help You Treat Dark Circles Under The Eyes’. From either using cold tea bags, honey, tomatoes, and all the way to rose water, prepare to say goodbye to your dark circles.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained are strictly for informational purposes only. The Content is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please ALWAYS seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.
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