Dark circles under the lower eyelids may appear due to genetics, allergies, or other reasons. Home remedies and medical treatments exist that may help reduce their appearance.
Dark circles under your eyes, also known as periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH)Trusted Source, may appear as shades of brown, blue, black, or purple.
They can affect anyone but are typically more common in:
- older adults
- people with a geneticTrusted Source predisposition to this condition
- people with darker skin tones, who are more prone to hyperpigmentation around the eye area
Fatigue is generally believed to be the most common cause for having dark circles under the eyes. This may be controversial, and there are actually a number of reasons.
Read on to learn more about the possible causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for dark circles under the eyes.
Aging may be one of the most common reasons for having dark circles under your eyes.
As you get older, your skin tends to sag and become thinner. You might experience a decrease in the fat and collagen that helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. As this occurs, the dark blood vessels beneath your skin become more visible, causing the area below your eyes to darken.
Aging might also cause tear troughs to appear more hollow. This may give you the appearance of looking tired or older.
Oversleeping, or a lack of sleep, may cause your skin to become more dull and pale. As a result, the blood vessels and dark tissues beneath your skin might become more visible.
Sleep deprivation may also lead to a fluid buildup beneath your eyes, causing them to appear puffy. Dark circles may then actually be shadows cast by puffy eyelids.