Under Eye Circles: Genetics or Health Warning?

Under eye circles and bags are mild discoloration, swelling, or puffiness under the eyes that become common as you age. Many of us blame its appearance on sleep deprivation, exhaustion, or for staring at the computer screen for too long. But there’s more to the truth than meets the eye.

How Under Eye Circles and Bags Appear

Imagine blood vessels as thin webs under the skin. The human body’s capillaries are so fine that the red blood cells queue up just to pass through. In the process, some of them leak in the surrounding area. Enzymes are produced during the cleaning process, breaking down the red blood cells and leaving them black and blue. The reason they become so visible is that the skin around the eyes is the thinnest on our body. Swollen under eye bags form when the tissues surrounding your eyes, including the muscles supporting your eyelids, weaken.

Is It Genetic?

Under eye circles can be caused by your lifestyle, but in some cases, they are determined by genetics. Thin and pale skin, pigment beneath the eyes, slower vascular movement, and allergies are all hereditary traits that cause under eye swelling.

If you’re prone to dark under eye bags because of your genes, certain behaviors can exacerbate the problem and make them more noticeable. For example, excessive exposure to the sun can cause your skin to increase its melanin production, causing further under eye darkness. Another would be drinking too much alcohol or consuming caffeinated beverages which trigger under eye bags to become more prominent. Last but not the least, smoking also significantly increases the appearance of dark circles.

If you are genetically prone to dark under eye circles, you may want to avoid or limit these behaviors.

Is It A Health Warning?

Although in some cases dark circles ought to be genetic, they can also indicate alarming health conditions.  

1. Poor Nutrition

Dark circles can be caused by poor nutrition. Consuming food rich in sodium like canned goods and fast food can promote fluid retention in your body, including the area under your eyes. A healthy and nutritious diet filled with vitamins like A, C, E, and K will help combat unwanted dark circles.

2. Dehydration

Discoloration under the eyes can occur when the body does not have enough water. The reason is the close proximity to the skin underneath the eye in relation to the underlying bone, and the symptoms are often evident in the under eye area. It is advisable to have at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily and to include fresh fruit in your diet to eliminate this problem.  

3. Anemia

You need enough iron in your diet to produce hemoglobin, which is what carries oxygen to the cells. If your iron levels are low, you might experience a variety of symptoms. Dark circles alone do not indicate anemia, but if you are experiencing fatigue, dizziness, and frequent colds, then you may need to get your iron levels checked with a complete blood count. Women are particularly more inclined to have iron-deficient anemia because of blood loss during the menstrual cycle.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of inexplicable under eye circles in many cases, which can also be treated by making simple changes to your diet. A balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables, dairy, and all types of fruits will keep the body healthy.