

What happens with the skin under our eyes that causes these unsightly black circles? It is a bit of a scientific explanation but at the same time, it’s easy to understand. In order to correct the problem it helps to know how it develops to begin with and attack it from both directions. Stop the cause and then stop the body’s reaction that creates it to beat it.
When examining the cause of dark circles under eyes, the best way to describe what happens is that it forms the same way as a bruise, but without the initiating hit. The capillaries under the eyes are so small that red blood cells sometimes cannot get through. This leads to some of them escaping into the skin. Since these blood cells aren’t where they are supposed to be, the body’s natural enzymes grab the red blood cells that have escaped and break them down. The resulting hemoglobin residue is left behind as a bluish blackish color and that’s what is seen through the skin. Now that we know how the circles are formed, the next step in fighting this condition is narrowing what causes or contributes to it. There are many defining factors that will cause dark circles under eyes. While lack of sleep or stress can possibly cause this unsightly condition, there are other lifestyle and genetic factors to take into consideration when trying to pinpoint what has brought this problem to the forefront and the face.
Sun Exposure
Being out in the sun a lot causes the body to raise melanin production to help protect the skin from UV rays in sunlight. The melanin is what actually causes your skin to tan and can be darker under the eyes causing a tanned person?s skin around the eyes to darken.
Taking Certain Medications
Some medications cause blood vessels and capillaries to dilate resulting in the red blood cells going through capillaries under the eyes to not be able to make it through. As a result, they exit the capillaries and end up in the skin tissue resulting in the bruised look we talked about earlier. Once someone stops taking the medication, more than likely the area under the eyes will return to normal.
Sign of a Medical Condition
Sometimes there is a medical cause which can produce the dark circles under eyes that we all dread. Darkening of the area under the eye could be symptoms of anemia, liver disease and allergies. If there are other symptoms involved and no other cause explanation available, it might be wise to contact a physician to have the condition looked at.
Getting Older
As we age our skin becomes thinner, starts to lose the fat stores underneath it and as a result is more transparent. The thin capillaries under the eyes are easier to see because they are closer to the surface of the skin. It is a natural part of the aging process to have dark circles under eyes as age progresses.
Genetics
Some of us are just more prone to having darker spots under our eyes. The trait is embedded into our DNA and no matter how hard we try; we can’t get away from genetics. Dark under eye circles do run in some families.
Environmental Factors
Someone who is under a lot of stress or is lacking sleep may develop a darkening of the area around the eyes over time. The body reacts negatively toward stress by keeping blood pressure and heart rate elevated resulting in an increase in blood flow. This includes blood flowing through the capillaries under the eyes.
Smoking and Drinking
We all know that smoking and drinking alcohol are not good for the body as a whole but these habits can also cause dark circles under eyes. Smoking causes the blood vessels and capillaries to constrict and drinking alcohol on a regular basis can weaken the smaller capillaries in the face resulting in breakage and that dreaded bluish red bruised look.
There are just as many cures and quick fixes for taming dark under eye circles as there are reasons that they show up to begin with. If the condition is temporary and curable, a combination of a cover up method can be used for immediate results in addition to the chosen cure. Unfortunately the only way to permanently eliminate the darkness under the eyes is to discontinue the cause to begin with. Unfortunately for some people this just isn?t a viable option.
Cover with Makeup
This method will work to some extent for everyone. Using a cover up or makeup on the area under the eyes can help tone down the darkness and at least make it less noticeable. Using makeup is a good method to use in conjunction with a treatment program that will permanently eliminate the problem to provide immediate results.
Get Extra Sleep and Relax More
If the condition is caused by stress or lack of sleep then the best thing to do is relax and adjust sleep patterns to ensure a more comfortable night’s sleep. The body doesn?t react well to lack of sleep or stress.
Cold Compresses
If the darkness is caused by something temporary like allergies, applying a cold compress or cool washcloth to the eyes may help eliminate a minor case of dark circles under eyes. Sometimes the condition is accompanied by swelling of the eye tissue that can be eliminated by the cool dampness.
Elevate the Head While Sleeping
When we sleep, our heart rate decreases resulting in a slowdown of blood flow in the body. Sometimes this can result in a slowdown in the elimination of fluids that collect in the body, namely under the eyes. Elevating the head while sleeping will help eliminate the body’s natural temptation to pool fluid around the eyes. With no extra fluid present, the area under the eyes will continue operating normally while we sleep resulting in no swelling and shadow casting on the area underneath the eyes.
Limit Sun Exposure
One of the best things that you can do to prevent melanin from creating dark circles under the eyes is to limit sun exposure. While some people cringe at the thought of not laying out on the beach soaking up the rays, staying away from unnecessary sun exposure really is one of the best anyone can do for their skin. If avoiding unnecessary sunlight isn’t a desire or possibility then it?s best to use a lot of sunscreen on the face and especially around the eyes to prevent dark circles from forming.
Under Eye Dark Circle Creams and Removers
Technology has advanced through time to help develop under eye creams and under eye dark circle removers. These products have proven over the years to be a great way to eliminate or reduce dark circles under eyes. These creams and removers vary in their results and effectiveness. Some are simply better designed and made with better ingredients than others. Choosing the one that will work best will depend on what the underlying cause of the dark circles is.
Combining the knowledge of what is causing any dark circles under eyes and the options for cures or covers can make anyone’s quality of life much better in the long run. Worrying about facial blemishes and imperfections is something that everyone goes through from time to time in their life. Fortunately there is a way to help people who are battling the darkness under their eyes conquer the problem by knowing why it is happening and what their options are to ultimately correct it. Knowing what?s available to correct the issue will result in a better, more confident quality of life and the confidence to go with it.




Anyone who suffers from dark circles under eyes will attest to the fact that the cosmetic problem is often uncomfortable and distressing. Surprisingly, dark circles under eyes are also one of the elements that ages the face more than those fine lines and wrinkles. While it is a cosmetic problem, in most situations the causes are mild and few potential health conditions are associated with the symptom.


