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Dark circles: find out the main causes and how to alleviate the problem

Waking up with dark circles under your eyes is usually automatically associated with a bad night's sleep. Although sleep has an influence on the appearance of the skin, it is far from being solely responsible for the...

Dark circles: find out the main causes and how to alleviate the problem
Image supplied by the original publication: Noticias ao Minuto

Waking up with dark circles under your eyes is usually automatically associated with a bad night's sleep. Although sleep has an influence on the appearance of the skin, it is far from being solely responsible for the darkening of the area under the eyes. Factors such as genetics, aging, allergies, sun exposure and even everyday habits can also contribute to the problem.

According to the professor of the Aesthetics and Cosmetics course at Faculdade Anhanguera, Raquel Venancio, identifying the cause is the first step in choosing the most appropriate treatment.

"Not all dark circles are the same. Some have genetic origins, others are related to skin pigmentation, vascularization of the region or loss of collagen over the years. Therefore, treatment needs to be individualized", he explains.

The specialist highlights the main factors that can favor the appearance of dark circles.

Genetic predisposition: in many people, dark circles are hereditary and can appear during childhood or adolescence, regardless of the quality of sleep.

Skin aging: over the years, the skin around the eyes loses collagen and elasticity, making the blood vessels more visible and favoring a darkened appearance.

Allergies and rhinitis: frequent scratching of the eyes and the inflammation caused by respiratory allergies can increase pigmentation in the region and make dark circles more evident.

Exposure to the sun: solar radiation stimulates the production of melanin and can intensify pigmented dark circles, especially in people with a greater tendency to darken their skin.

Bad habits: sleeping little, smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, having an unbalanced diet and drinking little water can worsen the appearance of the eye area, even when they are not the main cause of dark circles.

Is it possible to alleviate it?

Although not all dark circles can be eliminated, some care can help improve their appearance:

use sunscreen daily, including around the eyes;

maintain a skin hydration routine;

sleep for the appropriate amount of time to promote the body’s recovery;

avoid rubbing your eyes constantly;

treat allergies when medically advised;

Seek an evaluation from a professional to identify the type of dark circles under your eyes and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

"By understanding the origin of dark circles, it is possible to adopt more effective strategies to improve the appearance of the skin and avoid unrealistic expectations with miracle products or solutions", concludes the professor.

Source: Noticias ao Minuto

This story was originally published by Noticias ao Minuto. Visit the original publication for further details.

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