Undereye Circles: Causes And Cures
Author: Ally McNeal

Under-eye circles may be one of the first things you see when
you look in the mirror. These black or dark circles under the
eyes can be caused by many different factors, including
heredity, sun exposure, allergies, lack of sleep, medications,
poor nutrition, age, and hormonal changes associated with
pregnancy and menstruation.

The skin under the eye is very thin, and when blood passes
through the veins close to the surface of the skin, this can
cast a bluish/blackish shadow to the under eye skin. Any
increase in blood flow will cause the areas under the eyes to
appear darker.

While heredity can be one factor for development of under eye
circles, sun exposure is another. Even though tanning may make
your whole body look good, it's not good for the skin under the
eyes. Too much sun can cause excessive pigmentation of the area
beneath the eyes, resulting in dark spots.

Allergies are another factor that can lead to dark circles. Any
skin or respiratory condition which has you rubbing or wiping
your eyes will trigger increased blood flow. More blood flow to
the sensitive under-eye area means a greater likelihood of dark
circles.

Certain medications can cause dark circles, especially those
medications which lead to blood vessel dilation. Hormonal
changes associated with pregnancy and menstruation may change
the color and texture of the skin, resulting in a greater
appearance of under eye circles.

While all these factors can play a role in the development of
dark circles under your eyes, the two most common culprits are
lack of adequate nutrition and lack of enough sleep.

People with diets low in vitamins C and E (antioxidants), low
in lutein, beta carotene, and zinc are likely to have dark
circles. You can combat this by adding in more fruits and
vegetables to your diet.

People who don't get enough sleep are also prone to under eye
circles. This can be addressed most easily by a better sleep
routine. It's best, too, to sleep on your back with your head
slightly elevated for the best results.

Treating under eye circles can take some time, but here are
some suggestions for doing so:

* Get proper nutrition.
* Get enough sleep.
* Avoid frequent rubbing or wiping of your eyes.
* Use a cosmetic concealing stick to hide the circles.
* Use an eye cream containing Vitamin K, which has been shown
to reduce dark circles.
* Protect your skin from the sun.

Above all, focus on concealing your dark circles and doing
whatever it takes to make them disappear. By focusing on
concealment and the cure, you'll be in the right place to put
your best eyes forward.


About The Author: Ally McNeal enjoys learning and teaching
about skin care. To learn more about the secrets for beautiful
skin, please visit http://www.SkinCareSmarts.com