What Causes Dark Circles Under Eyes

Many people think that wrinkles and gray hair are the major symptoms of old age. However, the reality is that dark circles under your eyes are the worst signs that old age is finally creeping in. Even though these circles can make you feel old, tired and unhealthy, they are never a sign of serious illness or exhaustion. They are common in adults, both men and women, though kids could also be affected. But before you dash to your dermatologist for a remedy, do you know what causes dark circles under eyes?

If you have ever woken up with dark circles under your eyes, there's no reason to panic. This is a very common medical condition which can be treated. Here are some of the most common causes of under-eye circles:

Pigmentation irregularities: Colored people, especially blacks and Asians are likely to have under-eye dark circles simply due to irregularities with their skin pigmentation.

Heredity: The trait has been medically proven to run in some families.

Lifestyle: A number of lifestyle factors could be behind dark circles under the eyes. These include smoking, physical and emotional stress or chronic intake of alcohol. 

Nasal congestion: The dark circles could be caused by dilation and darkening of veins that drain from the eyes to the nose, which is triggered by sinus congestion. 

Exposure to sunlight: What causes dark circles under eyes when exposed to direct sunlight is the fact that your body will produce more melanin. Melanin is a dark pigment that gives the skin its color.

Thinning skin: As you age, your skin will lose a lot of collagen and fat. This in turn makes the red-blue vessels under the eyes to become more prominent.

Surprisingly, you could end up with these dark circles simply because scratching and rubbing the eyes excessively. Now that you know what causes dark circles under eyes, it will be much easier to understand how to avoid and help yourself with this situation.