Has anyone ever had this problem and got any medical advice on it?

Question

I am a fairly healthy woman and take good care of myself, but
I have dark under my eyes. It is annoying as I am very pale complected and I think it makes me look as if I am ill.
Help?

Answer 1

You're probably not darker than anyone else, it's just because you're pale that it shows more. I have this problem too and I usually just apply some foundation under my eyes to make them appear less dark. I know there are also some creams and stuff out there if you wanted to try that.

Answer 2

There are so many reasons this may be happening. Maybe one of these on the list will apply to you?

Heredity
Like varicose veins, dark circles under the eyes are usually an inherited trait. The skin under the eye is very thin. When blood passes through the large veins close to the surface of the skin it can produce a bluish tint. The more transparent the skin -- also an inherited trait -- the darker the circles appear.

In people with a deep-set bone structure, shadowing contributes to the dark color under the eyes.


Allergies, asthma, and eczema
Any condition that causes the eyes to itch can contribute to darker circles due to rubbing or scratching the skin around them. Hay fever sufferers particularly will notice under-eye "smudges" during the height of the allergy season. Some food allergies can also cause the area under the eyes to appear darker.


Medications
Any medications that cause blood vessels to dilate can cause circles under the eyes to darken. Because the skin under the eyes is very delicate, any increased blood flow shows through the skin.


Anemia
The lack of nutrients in the diet, or the lack of a balanced diet, can contribute to the discoloration of the area under the eyes. It is believed that lack of mineral iron can cause dark circles as well. Iron deficiency is the most common type of anemia and this condition is a sign that not enough oxygen is getting to the body tissues.

The skin can also become more pale during pregnancy and menstruation (due to lack of iron), which again allow the underlying veins under the eyes to become more visible.


Fatigue
A lack of sleep or excessive tiredness can cause paleness of the skin, which again allows the blood underneath the skin to become more visible and appear more blue or darker.

Some skin care experts say that fatigue has nothing to do with the dark circles, but it has to do with when one lies down. Gravity can cause fluid to collect in the lower eye lid.


Age
Dark circles are likely to become more noticeable and permanent with age. Excess folds of skin under the eyes will also make dark circles more pronounced.

Medical conditions
Another cause may be bad blood circulation. Cardio exercise increases blood circulation and may help the dark circles to disappear.

The area directly located under the eyes are closely related to kidneys and liver, so the appearance of dark circles may indicate problems or weakness in the kidney or liver activity.

Dark eye circles could be a sign of excessive loss of water from the body (dehydration).

Answer 3

The dark is from blood vessels under the skin. Buy some good under eye treatment. Most have a reflective property that makes the dark circles seem lighter, then use a good concealer.

Taking B vitamins can also help.

Answer 4

I have darker skin, but I get the dark circles, too.

My doctor told me it has to do with the fact that there are a lot of blood vessels very close to the surface all around your eyes, but the skin is thinnest just below them, so the vessels show through and look like dark circles. He said good hydration and adequate sleep can help minimize the look of dark circles, but nothing is ever going to make them go away completely.

I believe your best option is to use makeup which covers the darkness but which looks very natural. That's what my doctor told me to do.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

Yeah i had it...get a cold compress and put it under your eyes and massage from in to out of the eyes. Drink water and get more sleep.

Answer 6

so you are healthy and not tired!that means u need some under eye concealer.that's what I'm using(same problem:too withe skin, too dark lines under eyes)

Answer 7

you can get stuff to fix that at your local store, it may be cause by strees or lack of sleep as well I sugest altering some lifestyles if you can, maybe even consult a doctor to try to have a solution not just a cover up!

Answer 8

Could be a result of limited sleep. Try and get to be earlier.

Answer 9

it's most likely because you don't sleep enough or something, because the dark under your eyes means that you've strained your eyes.

Answer 10

maybe you arent getting as much sleep as you are suppose to or you arent getting a good nights sleep when you are...