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Dark circles - why we have them

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Written By: Neha Malude | Updated : March 11, 2014 6:38 PM IST

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dark-circles'Oh, why do you look so tired?', 'Didn't you get any sleep last night?' or 'Been working too hard lately? You look stressed'. Chances are that you've been asked these questions if you are one of the thousands who suffer from dark circles. It's also possible that you have an absolutely normal lifestyle with no stress whatsoever and you still can't get rid of them. Why?

What are dark circles?

Medically termed periorbital circles, dark circles are dark blemishes under the eyes and they are easily visible because they are actually the blood vessels that can be seen through the skin. This is because the skin around the eyes is the thinnest. Understandably, the clearer the skin, the more obvious are the blemishes.

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Why do I have them?

Not all occurrences of baggy under-eyes are permanent. Allergies, cold or a sinus problem might cause puffing up of the eyes. Crying may also lead to puffed eyes because of a phenomenon called osmosis the water travels from areas where there's less salt to tissues with more salt.

  • Alcohol: Had too many cocktails last night? As we all know, alcohol causes dehydration, which makes the skin around the eyes weak causing it to sink.
  • Too much make-up: How often do you apply eye makeup? Chances are, every day. Do you remove it judiciously or you don't bother at all? Sleeping without removing eye makeup irritates the eyes and causes fluids to collect which in turn causes baggy eyes.
  • Smoking: Are you a smoker (regular or passive)? Smoking weakens the collagen under the eyes, causing premature wrinkling and sagging.
  • A lifestyle that involves being exposed to sunlight a lot can also cause the body to produce more melanin, thus darkening the skin under the eyes.

Other reasons for dark circles:

  • Hereditary: Dark circles sometimes run in the family. Too much pigmentation of under-eye area is common in those of Asian and African descent.
  • Medication: Certain medications cause blood vessels to dilate, thereby leading to darker skin under the eyes. Because of how thin the skin there is, even the slightest increase of blood flow becomes apparent.
  • Unbalanced diet: Experts believe that lack of minerals such as iron is a sign of lesser than required supply of oxygen to body tissues which may be a reason for baggy eyes.
  • Health issue: In some people, thyroid or kidney problems can cause darkening of under-eye skin.
  • Ageing: Another common cause is age as you grow older, the skin loses collagen, becoming thinner and weaker.

If you're getting dark circles, don't fret. There are various ways to get rid of them for good. Read on to find out more...

How to get rid of dark circles

Also read more articles on skincare:

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Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is only for informational purposes. It is not at all professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare specialist for any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.

Neha Malude

Neha Malude

A software engineer to start with, Neha Malude has found her true calling as a writer at last. Although she hasn't been at it for very long, her passion for the written word is evident. She loves to sing and dance, whenever she gets a chance. An ardent lover of black ... Read More