Why Do We Get Dark Circles — And How Do We Reduce Them?

By Dr Sunil Kumar Prabhu, Consultant dermatologist and Aesthetic physician, Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore

Dark circles or dark rings under the eyes are a common problem for almost everybody at one time or another. They can make the face look tired, stressed, or older and most of the time, people don’t even know the reason for their appearance. However, the fact is that dark circles are not solely due to one factor. They often result from a combination of lifestyle habits, skin features and sometimes even genetics. Since the skin around our eyes is very thin, the slightest change in blood flow, water content, or melanin production appears in this area quicker than any other part of the face. 
The main cause of dark circles is sleep deprivation. If you don’t get enough sleep, the blood vessels under your eyelids enlarge and become more prominent, thus giving that darker, shadowy appearance. In some instances, family history is a primary factor for dark circles. Our genes can make the skin under the eye either thinner or pigment-rich and thus one may still look dark even if he/she maintains proper sleep and a healthy routine. Besides, eye strain from extensive use of phones, laptops or TV viewing is also a contributing factor. The more the eye muscles are in action, the more the blood vessels enlarge, and thus the darker the area around the eyes appears.
Another frequent suspect is allergies. The continuous rubbing, which is a result of the itching, will end up irritating the sensitive skin under the eye and so, it will be more pigmented. Asthma can also cause discoloration around the eyes because, in such a case, there happens to be congestion in the nasal passage which causes the blood vessels to swell and the color is thus deepened. Skin getting less water supply from the body is very common but it has a considerable impact. If the body is dehydrated, the skin has a dull and sunken look that makes the area under the eyes appear more tired than usual. Aging is another factor that contributes as well because when a person ages, collagen gets reduced and the skin too becomes thinner, thus the veins underneath shows up naturally. The area around the eyes that is already dark could get even darker due to sun exposure since it leads to an increase in melanin especially for people with medium to dark skin.
Causes and Treatments
Understanding the root cause of dark circles is the first step in their treatment. The body's repair system works better with sufficient sleep—about seven to nine hours a day—and it reflects in the under-eye area looking bright and fresh. Consuming water all the time throughout the day makes the skin look brighter and fuller.
Use of something cold, e.g., ice pack, chilled spoon or cucumber slices can help in reducing the blood flow thus making the puffiness as well as the darkness to disappear instantly. Along with that, regular moisturizing also plays an essential part. Besides, eye creams containing vit. C, hyaluronic acid, peptides or niacinamide can make the thin skin stronger and gradually lighten the discoloration.
One more simple yet very efficient step is shielding the area from the sun. The application of sunscreen along with the wearing of sunglasses outdoors can effectively prevent further darkening and at the same time reduce squinting. 
Taking short breaks when working with screens that cause eye strain is a good practice as it helps to rest the eye muscles and also reduce the stress in the area. In case allergies are a concern, managing them with prescribed medication and not rubbing the eyes so often can really help a lot.
But if these are due to hereditary factors or deep pigmentation, you might get better results with a dermatologist's intervention. Dark circles are not a health issue, and a combination of adequate sleep, water intake, sunscreen and consistent care will make them better over ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌time.
(Views are personal)