Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, aging, fatigue, allergies, dehydration, sun exposure, anemia, eye strain, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and salt intake. They occur due to thinning of the skin, blood vessel visibility, pigmentation changes, fluid retention, or structural issues around the eyes.
Common Causes of Dark Circles
- Genetics: Dark circles can be inherited and appear early in childhood. They tend to be more common in people with darker skin tones due to hyperpigmentation.
- Aging: Skin thins and loses fat and collagen with age, making blood vessels under the eyes more visible and causing shadows or a hollow appearance.
- Fatigue: Lack of sleep or excessive tiredness can cause blood vessels to dilate and skin to look dull, making dark circles more prominent.
- Allergies: Allergic reactions cause histamine release leading to itching, inflammation, and broken blood vessels, contributing to darkening around the eyes.
- Dehydration: Causes skin to look dull and eyes to appear sunken, highlighting dark circles.
- Sun Exposure: Excessive sun exposure increases melanin production, causing pigmentation under the eyes.
- Anemia: Iron deficiency reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, leading to paler skin and more visible veins under the eyes.
- Eye Strain: Prolonged screen time enlarges blood vessels around the eyes, making dark circles more visible.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, alcohol, salt intake, and frequent eye rubbing worsen dark circles by affecting blood circulation and skin integrity.
Other Contributors
- Certain medications (e.g., for glaucoma) can cause discoloration.
- Structural facial features like bony eye sockets can accentuate shadows.
- Conditions like thyroid problems, eczema, or sinus issues can also contribute.
Overall, dark circles are usually not a sign of serious illness but can reflect underlying health, lifestyle, or genetic factors.
