Dark Eye Circles: What Causes Them?
Find out what causes and how to best conceal under-eye circles
By Julyne Derrick
Beauty Expert
Question: What Causes Dark Eye Circles?
Answer: Oh if only we could take a magic pill to cause the blue veins under our eyes to recede back into our heads, or the dark circles under our eyes to magically lighten to match the rest of our skin.
Unfortunately, there is no magic pill to combat dark, under-eye circles, which are usually genetic. Yes, it's true. Your parents are to blame for your dark under-eye circles, according to dermatologist David J. Leffell of Yale School of Medicine, in "O" magazine. Dark circles are also caused by the aging process as the skin around the eyes become thinner, allowing blood vessels to show.
So, now that we have them, is there any way to get rid of them?
3 Types of Dark Eye CirclesThere are basically three types of dark eye circles:1. Hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmented undereye circles can be dark circles often found in women with darker skin tones (African, East Indian or Latin descent). This is caused by the over-abundance of melanin in skin.
2. Blue-ish veins. As we age, the skin around our eyes thins out, causing the veins underneath to show. This is typical in women with lighter skin.
3. Poor circulation. These under-eye circles tend to be puffy or baggy. This is usually caused by poor blood flow or water retention under the eye. Large bags that don't recede in time are hereditary. The temporary ones can be caused by stress, lack of sleep or a bad smoking habit.
To determine the cause of your under-eye circles, press your thumb on the shadows. If the shadows momentarily lighten, the cause is poor circulation. If they don't lighten, the cause is hyperpigmentation, according to dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas of Yale University in Elle Magazine.
Answer: Oh if only we could take a magic pill to cause the blue veins under our eyes to recede back into our heads, or the dark circles under our eyes to magically lighten to match the rest of our skin.
Unfortunately, there is no magic pill to combat dark, under-eye circles, which are usually genetic. Yes, it's true. Your parents are to blame for your dark under-eye circles, according to dermatologist David J. Leffell of Yale School of Medicine, in "O" magazine. Dark circles are also caused by the aging process as the skin around the eyes become thinner, allowing blood vessels to show.
So, now that we have them, is there any way to get rid of them?
3 Types of Dark Eye CirclesThere are basically three types of dark eye circles:1. Hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmented undereye circles can be dark circles often found in women with darker skin tones (African, East Indian or Latin descent). This is caused by the over-abundance of melanin in skin.
2. Blue-ish veins. As we age, the skin around our eyes thins out, causing the veins underneath to show. This is typical in women with lighter skin.
3. Poor circulation. These under-eye circles tend to be puffy or baggy. This is usually caused by poor blood flow or water retention under the eye. Large bags that don't recede in time are hereditary. The temporary ones can be caused by stress, lack of sleep or a bad smoking habit.
To determine the cause of your under-eye circles, press your thumb on the shadows. If the shadows momentarily lighten, the cause is poor circulation. If they don't lighten, the cause is hyperpigmentation, according to dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas of Yale University in Elle Magazine.