Have you ever looked in the mirror after a long, sleepless night and discovered dark circles under your eyes? Chances are you saw shadows cast by puffy eyelids. Or those dark areas may be hollows under your eyes that develop as a normal part of aging. Shadows are not the same thing as true dark circles under eyes.
Here are some facts about dark circles under eyes:
- While anyone can have dark circles under their eyes, elderly people are more likely to have it. Thanks to the loss of fat and collagen and thinning skin that comes with aging, the reddish-blue blood vessels under your eyes become more obvious.
- Dark under-eye circles are often inherited (called periorbital hyperpigmentation).
- People from ethnic groups with darker skin tones are more likely to have dark circles under their eyes.
- Hay fever and allergies can cause dark circles under the eyes.
- For some people, exposure to the sun can make their body produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. This can lead to dark circles under the eyes.
- Avoidance of sun exposure, treating allergies and not smoking can help. Additionally, the use of hydroquinone creams may lighten areas of increased pigmentation.
If you are concerned about the appearance of the skin under your eyes, see your ophthalmologist. They will be able to sort through the causes of the “bag or dark circle” and recommend the right treatment if needed.
