What causes dark under-eye circles?
Dark under-eye circles begin with the capillaries around the eyes, these are the tiny blood vessels found in the delicate skin around the eyes. Capillaries are so small that red blood cells sometimes have to line up, single file, to get through. Anything that causes damage to the delicate wall of these capillaries will cause the red blood cells to enter the surrounding tissue. This isn’t a problem – it happens all the time – and your body has a mechanism to mop up these red blood cells. Enzymes in your body break down these red blood cells, including their hemoglobin (the molecule that gives them their distinctive red color). This is all fantastic, except for one thing: when hemoglobin is broken down, its remaining components have a dark blue-black color. Just like a bruise. So your dark under-eye circles are actually caused by leaky capillaries.
Dark under-eye circles are like bruises
When something hits you, blood vessels are traumatized and sometimes broken. Blood leaks out into the surrounding skin. Your body begins the mopping-up process, and you see a dark, purplish or blue-black discoloration. Dark under-eye circles are very similar to bruises because the same mechanisms produce them.
Why are dark under-eye circles so visible?
Capillaries all over your body are leaking small amounts of blood all the time, but are not very noticeable. The reason dark under-eye circles are so apparent is the skin around the eyes is the thinnest, skin of your entire body. The capillaries are therefore much closer to the surface of the skin there. The skin around the eye is not only thinner but also more translucent both making dark circle more visible.
The combination of capillaries near the skin’s surface and translucent skin makes this discoloration much more apparent. And that’s why you have those dark under-eye circles staring back at you in the mirror.
What makes dark under-eye circles more obvious?
Any damage to the under eye capillaries can aggravate the appearance of dark under-eye circles. Allergic reactions may also cause capillary damage. Also there may be an underlying medical condition that results in capillaries being easily damaged. Speak to your medical practitioner about this.
What can you do to reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles?
- Be gentle when applying makeup especially concealer to the eye area, aggressive rubbing or pulling of the skin can cause damage to the capillaries.
- Drink lots of water (2 litres per day). This helps the body flush out all metabolic wastes.
- Treat underlying medical conditions.
- Use a light organic eye cream that is free of allergens and toxic ingredients. Massaging in heavy eye creams can aggravate the problem.
- For a long term solutions use an organic eye cream that stimulates and strengthens the capillaries in this area like the Rejuvenating Eye Cream.