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What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

At one time or another, most people have had dark circles under their eyes.

Are there more to dark circles under the eyes than just being tired?

The most common causes of these dark circles are fatigue, aging or allergies.

The dark circle themselves are not dangerous to your health, but they can represent an underlying problem.

These dark circles can also have a psychological effect on how you perceive yourself and what others think of you when they meet you.

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These dark circles can have varied appearances on different people, depending on the thickness of the skin around their eyes, as well as the color of their skin.

In most areas of your body, the skin is between 2 and 3 mm thick, but under the eyes the skin is normally only 0.5 mm in thickness.

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Dark circles under your eyes may also be triggered from the oxidation of blood leaking from the blood vessels around the eyes. The release of blood and oxidation leads to not only dark circles, but also swelling and bags under the eyes.

Swelling under the eyes, commonly called bags, may be caused by allergic reactions, illness or an excessive buildup of fluid in your body.

As you age, there are additional reasons for developing puffiness and swelling under the eyes. The effect of gravity on tissue that is slowly losing collagen and elasticity can result in tissue sagging. This includes the fat under the eye tissue. The exact mechanism of the fat deposits beneath the eye is not completely understood, but doctors recognize the increased risk of bags under the eyes as you age.

Although you might be tempted to point the finger only at the lack of sleep and rest to the increasing size of the bags under your eyes, there is no scientific proof linking this cause and effect. The lack of sleep does increase the severity of the puffiness under your eyes, especially when you get up in the morning.

How to Naturally Lighten Your Dark Circles:

1. Avoid rubbing your eyes

2. Manage your allergies

3. Sleep on your back

4. Remove makeup gently

5. Reduce alcohol consumption

6. Wear quality sunglasses

7. Quit smoking and avoid second hand smoke

8. Use a soothing eye treatment

Some Natural Treatments:

1. Honey

2. Cucumber slices

3. Almond oil

4. Buttermilk and turmeric

5. Avocado

6. Mint leaves

7. Black teas bags

8. Potatoes or tomatoes

For More Detailed Information

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