{"id":4859,"date":"2024-01-19T14:57:13","date_gmt":"2024-01-19T20:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/?p=4859"},"modified":"2024-01-25T11:27:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T17:27:07","slug":"dark-undereye-circles-what-causes-them-and-how-to-get-rid-of-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/dark-undereye-circles-what-causes-them-and-how-to-get-rid-of-them","title":{"rendered":"Dark Undereye Circles: What Causes Them and How to Get Rid of Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s never fun to look in the mirror and see dark, puffy circles under your eyes. Maybe you pulled an all-nighter the night before, or you\u2019ve had these dark circles for as long as you can remember. Anyone at any age can develop them<\/a> \u2014 but some people may be more likely to than others.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn more about why you may have developed dark undereye circles and what you can do to treat them. We\u2019ll give you some home remedies to try or treatments to ask your doctor or dermatologist (skin specialist) about at your next appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Dark Undereye Circles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve all stayed up too late and woke up the next morning to find dark, puffy circles under our eyes at one point or another. But why do they happen in the first place? There are several reasons why these dark circles \u2014 known as periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH)<\/a> \u2014 develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skin Changes as You Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The blood vessels underneath your skin can change the color and appearance of the area around your eyes. The more visible your blood vessels are, the darker your skin may look. As we age, we lose the fatty tissue<\/a> in the lower eyelid and underneath the eyes. The thinner skin lets blood vessels show through \u2014 which makes the area look more purple, blue, brown, or black (depending on your natural skin tone). This is why older adults tend to have darker circles under their eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not getting enough sleep<\/a>, your skin may look paler than normal. This can make the blood vessels under your eyes stand out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location of Blood Vessels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people have blood vessels closer to the surface of their skin<\/a> compared to others. As a result, they can develop dark or purple areas of skin on their lower eyelids and underneath their eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skin Inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re living with an inflammatory skin condition<\/a> like atopic dermatitis (eczema)<\/a> or lichen planus pigmentosus, you may notice darker circles under your eyes. Skin inflammation can trigger your skin cells to make more melanin or pigment than they normally do. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and it can develop in other areas of skin affected by inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergic reactions can also cause blood vessel swelling<\/a> and skin darkening. Scratching and rubbing the skin under your eyes leads to puffiness and irritation that make the dark circles look worse.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Certain Eye Medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some medications can also darken the skin under your eyes. Studies have found that people using medicated eyedrops to treat glaucoma<\/a> (an eye condition that damages your optic nerve) may develop POH. Examples include bimatoprost and latanoprost. However, POH tends to go away on its own after you stop using these treatments. (Always check with your doctor first before stopping treatment.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genetics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your genetics can also play a role in your skin\u2019s appearance. POH can run in families \u2014 if a parent or sibling has dark undereye circles, you may be more likely to develop them yourself. One study of a family with POH reported that many members noticed they had dark circles<\/a> early in their childhood and that they continued getting darker with age. It\u2019s also worth noting that dark undereye circles are more common in people with darker skin tones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treating Dark Undereye Circles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re ready to tackle your dark circles, here are some home remedies you can try<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n