What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

TL;DR

Dark circles under your eyes are often caused by genetics and the thin layer of skin that shows the blood vessels underneath, but factors like periorbital hyperpigmentation, blood leakage, fluid buildup, and fatigue can also contribute to their appearance.

Transcript

What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes It is often claimed that periorbital dark circles are caused by tiredness or working too hard or even just staying up late. While this can be true, the truth is that your genes play a huge role here. So what exactly is happening when you get dark circles under or around your eyes? Simply put, periorbital dar... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 Dark circles under the eyes are primarily a result of genetics and the thin periorbital skin.
• 😃 Periorbital hyperpigmentation is a condition that causes darker skin below the eyes and is most noticeable in darker-skinned individuals.
• 🕶️ Blood leakage from periorbital vessels and fluid buildup can worsen the appearance of dark circles.
• 😃 Fatigue can contribute to the visibility of dark circles by engorging blood vessels under the eyes.
• 🤕 Age and a decrease in skin elasticity can also lead to prominent dark circles.
• 😃 Dark circles may be more visible in individuals with thinner skin below their eyes.
• ❓ Treatments for periorbital hyperpigmentation are more challenging for darker-skinned individuals.

Questions & Answers

Q: Are dark circles under the eyes primarily caused by genetics?

Yes, genetics play a significant role in the development of dark circles as the thin periorbital skin exposes the blood vessels more clearly.

Q: Can periorbital hyperpigmentation be treated effectively in individuals with darker skin?

Periorbital hyperpigmentation is challenging to treat in darker-skinned individuals, leading to a niche market of cover-up makeup for people with darker complexions.

Q: How does blood leakage contribute to dark circles?

Blood leakage from periorbital blood vessels can cause puffy dark circles under the eyes, but it is a relatively harmless problem.

Q: Does fatigue contribute to the appearance of dark circles?

Yes, fatigue can cause dark circles as cortisol, a chemical released in response to fatigue, increases blood volume and engorges the blood vessels under the eyes, making them more visible.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dark circles under the eyes result from the thin layer of skin revealing the blood vessels and blood more clearly.

• Genetics and age play a significant role in the development of dark circles.

• Periorbital hyperpigmentation, blood leakage from vessels, fluid buildup, and fatigue can worsen the appearance of dark circles.