Dark circles: Definition and causes

Dark circles around the eyes - or panda eyes - are a common problem that affects many people, and can make them look tired, sick, or older than they actually are. This aesthetic problem affects both men and women, and is caused by fatigue or poor nutrition, and may remain visible even when trying to hide it with makeup.

In this article, we will talk about this condition, explain its causes, and provide you with some of the most important tips for treating it or reducing its appearance.

What are dark circles?

They are dark pigmentation that appears under the eyes as a result of fluid accumulation or weak blood vessels in this delicate area, and can be linked to several factors such as lack of sleep, stress, heredity, or malnutrition. These circles may appear temporarily or chronically, sometimes accompanied by puffiness under the eyes. The color of these circles may vary, while it tends to be blue or purple in people with light skin, it is brown or black in people with dark skin.

Causes of Dark Circles

Dark circles under the eyes may appear for many reasons, the most common of which is aging; the skin under the eyes begins to sag and thin due to the loss of fatty tissue and decreased collagen production, so the blood vessels under the skin become more visible, leading to a darkening of the appearance of the under eyes. In addition to other reasons such as:

1. Genetics: Dark circles may be an inherited trait, so if one of the parents suffers from them, the children are likely to have them as well.

2. Dermatitis: Eczema and contact dermatitis can cause the blood vessels under the eyes to expand and appear through the skin.

3. Rubbing the eyes: Rubbing and scratching the eyes can cause the skin under them to swell and break the blood vessels.

4. Lack of sleep: Poor sleeping habits cause the skin under the eyes to become pale, so the blood vessels appear visibly through the skin.

5. Nutrition: Not consuming the necessary vitamins and minerals affects the health of the skin in general, and since the skin in that area is thin, the effects of this appear more clearly in this area.