Still Have Dark Circles Despite Getting Enough Sleep? Here’s What Could Really Be Causing Them

The fastest way to fix them is sleep, right? But if you're sleeping more than enough every night and still have dark circles then there's a pretty good chance that you aren't actually experiencing a sleep problem or sleep deprivation. From Dr. Hina Kukreja, Medical Director, Zurie Skin Clinic, says, “I encounter many patients who sleep enough but still have pigmentation and dark circles around the eyes. That's because not all "dark circles" are created equal.”

What Are The Reasons Behind Dark Circles

There are different reasons behind dark circles. Some of them are pigmentation, blood vessels, structures and so on can all affect the make-up of the dark circle and the intensity of the darkening under the eye. 

Periorbital Hyperpigmentation

One common reason is something called Periorbital Hyperpigmentation, where the skin around the eyes begins to look darker or brown through deposits of excess melanin. Exposure to the sun and ongoing inflammation can cause pigmentation of the skin (through increased synthesis of melanin). 

Rubbing And Scratching The Eye

Rubbing and scratching at the eye area increases the pigmentation, and also shows the dark circles more readily. This again is in the context of skin irritation or pathology such as eczema and the sensation of itching, and is also seen in those with allergic symptoms. When pigmentation is deep, repeated rubbing does not lead to a reduction in sleeping hours and cannot get rid of the pigmentation. 

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Area Around The Eye Is Thin 

Another area to consider is the skin. This area is very thin. Thin, transparent skin allows the darkening of the fine capillaries underneath to come to the surface, giving a bluish-greyish or purple cast to the skin. This is very much a structural cause of dark circles and you need to discover if the area itself is pigmented and/or thin, and you treat accordingly. Sleep here is very much a non-factor. Thus, one needs to be aware of whether you are chronically sleep-deprived.

Genetic Element Behind Your Dark Circles

Some patients have fat and bony anatomical features around the eyes where it creates a natural shadow underneath the eyes and that's not a pigment change at all. That will always be that way no matter how much the patient sleeps and hydrates. 

Ageing 

Ageing is also one of the reasons that causes the dark circles to show up. As the skin becomes thinner with age, the shadows tend to become deeper and more prominent. This is not a pigmented defect again and therefore, sleep plays no role. 

LifeStyle Habits

Lifestyle habits like alcohol, smoking, not drinking enough water and being sleep deprived can cause these shadows to look all the more deep and dark but aren't what's primarily causing them. Most of the time, you need to establish if it's simply pigmented, vascular or an anatomical issue before you do anything. It may have nothing to do with lack of sleep at all, and no matter how much you sleep, the dark circles will not disappear in a flash.

Conclusion

While adequate sleep is essential for overall health, it is not a guaranteed cure for dark circles. Identifying whether your dark circles stem from hyperpigmentation, thin skin, anatomical shadows, or aging is crucial to choosing the right solution.

(Image Credits: Magnific)

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