One of the most common visible signs of aging include dark circles under eyes; causes can include a wide range of factors. The problem is common among women as well as men. While they often aren’t associated with an illness, many who experience dark eye circles are unhappy with the appearance they give. Dark eye circles are known to develop early in adulthood so those who experience them may feel older than their actual age.
Common Dark Circles Under Eyes Causes
While these visual dark circles are common with age, their causes may be somewhat surprising to many. Even if you get a good amount of sleep each night, it’s possible to develop dark eye circles. Exhaustion or fatigue may cause circles to develop under the eyes, but they sometimes appear puffy under the eyelids casting a faint shadow. Frustrating as this may be, it is a normal symptom of the aging process.
There are numerous common causes for the appearance of dark circles including heredity (runs in the family), environmental factors such as sun exposure and loss of collagen that causes skin in the eye area to become thin. Nasal congestion is another factor with veins that are connected between your eyes and nose becoming dilated when drainage occurs. Rubbing and scratching around the eye areas often may also encourage dark circles.
Skin tone variations may play a role in who is more likely to develop dark circles. Pigmentation irregularities are fairly common among people of color as well as Asians. Skin conditions such as eczema, allergies and lifestyle are also potential culprits. Your lifestyle may have several contributing factors such as stress and smoking. If you consume high levels of alcohol this may also be a factor that can take a serious toll on your overall appearance.
Another potential cause for dark circles, sun exposure has been linked to skin aging due to the fact that it affects melanin levels in the body (skin color). Collagen is an important factor in skin health and as we age, our skin slows down its production levels of it. This causes skin to become thin and wrinkled, with dark areas near the eyes resulting from underlying blood vessels becoming more apparent.
How To Treat Under Eye Circles
Technology advancements have contributed to various treatment methods that are available on the market. There are different anti-aging creams, concealers and other over-the-counter options that help to reduce or improve the appearance of dark circles. Additional treatment options include makeup, prescription creams, injectable fillers and laser surgery. Depending on the extent of the appearance of dark circles a healthcare professional may recommend treating the area with a combination of options.
Home remedies and lifestyle changes can also help treat dark circles. Aside from cosmetic products there are other options to consider such as using sunscreen, saline washes for nasal congestion, extra pillows to rest on at bed time to elevate your head and cold compresses. A good concealer can act as a camouflage, but try to stick to a light-base formula to reduce irritation.
Sometimes discoloration may appear with one eye or you may have concerns if you have used multiple treatment options but haven’t gotten any results. Dark circles under eyes causes are most often associated with aging, but if you have questions or concerns about your health you should consult your physician or healthcare professional. Any underlying health issues should be ruled out when you’re having trouble reducing the appearance of dark circles.
