Do you constanly have to wear shades to avoid people seeing those dreadful dark circles under your eyes? Or have you spent a fortune on creams and lotions that are combined to combat and prevent them but they just don't seem to work?
Dark circles under the eyes are a common complaint and can be caused by a variety of things. They make you appear tired, even when you're not, and can add years to your face. But for some people, dark circles seem next to impossible to get rid of.
Contrary to what you may have heard, fatigue usually doesn't play a role in dark under-eye circles, according to Mayo Clinic dermatologist Law�rence Gibson, MD.
Lack of sleep is not a common cause either, although not sleeping can make dark circles appear worse because of swelling around the eyes.
What does cause dark circles under the eyes? Here's a list of the most common causes.
Heredity
Dark circles run in families for a number of reasons. When blood passes through the veins under your eyes (where the skin is very thin), dark circles can appear. If your skin is more transparent (an inherited trait), the circles will appear darker.
Meanwhile, you can also inherit an excess amount of skin pigmentation under the eyes, which leads to dark circles, and others have dark pigmentation in the dermis layer of the skin that "creates a blue-black hue below the eyes," says Dr Sandy Tsao, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Finally, those who are born with a deep hollow (or "tear trough") in the inner corner of their eyes can have dark circles because of a shadow that's cast near the corner of their eyes, says Tsao.
Eczema
People with the chronic skin condition eczema under their eyes may experience darkening in the area, which is especially noticeable in people with darker skin. The discoloration comes from inflammation and rubbing your itchy eyes.
Allergies
"Substances that you are sensitive to can dilate the blood vessels in the delicate under-eye area," says Dr Lazar. "The blood then shows through the skin."
Further, allergies often cause your eyes to itch, and rubbing or scratching your eyes can cause the skin to darken. Therefore, people who have food allergies may experience dark circles when they eat a food they're sensitive to.
Cold or sinus infection
A cold or sinus infection increases pressure on these blood vessels, which makes it even more likely that dark circles will appear.
Also, if your skin becomes pale due to a cold or sinus infection (or because of fatigue, menstruation, pregnancy, etc), dark circles will be accentuated.
Ageing
Although getting older doesn't mean you'll automatically get dark under-eye circles, aging will tend to make existing dark circles stand out more, and may make them more permanent.
Medications
Certain medications, such as those that cause blood vessels to dilate, can cause under-eye circles to appear darker.
Lack of nutrients
Not eating a variety of healthy foods can lead to nutrient deficiencies that contribute to discoloration under the eyes.
How to prevent
dark circles under your eyes
Although inherited dark circles can't be prevented, there are things you can do to make sure they're kept as invisible as possible:
�2 Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh, whole foods.
�2 Avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes, which will cause the skin to become thicker and inflamed.
�2 Identify, and try to avoid, potential allergens.
�2 Get enough sleep and take time to relax (and let go of stress).
This will help keep you healthy and less likely to come down with a cold or sinus infection.
�2 Try placing cool tea bags or cucumber slices on your closed eyes for ten to 15 minutes. Compounds in tea bags called tannins may help reduce swelling and discoloration under the eyes, while cucumber slices help reduce puffiness.