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Even when I was a wee gal people commented on the dark circles under my eyes. So though right now they may be puffy from lack of sleep, I know the circles would be there regardless.

This morning on MSN: Health & Fitness, there is a column about these horrid dark circles. Most of it is self explanatory if you know anything about your body, but I thought I'd quickly recap some of the highlights because it is interesting to me.

First of all, dark circles are hereditary. My Dad has dark circles and so I have dark circles. Somehow my brother ended up with my Mom's facial genes. =o) My son has dark circles under his eyes all the time. He gets sick a lot and when he does his skin is pale which only makes the dark circles more prominent.

The column on MSN explained the physiology involved, "The skin under our eyelids is extremely thin. That is an important thing to remember in trying to soften those dark circles. The extremely thin skin has the potential to reflect the dark blue color of the circulating blood in the soft tissues below its surface."

Some factors, other than genetics, which contribute to raccoon eyes are:

• Bone structure. Deep set eyes and a prominent forehead may create a shadowing effect and the illusion of dark circles.
• Menstruation and pregnancy. The hormonal changes may cause the facial skin to appear pale, leaving the darker pigments of the circulating blood in the veins under the eyes to stand out.
• Sun exposure, which triggers the skin pigment melanin to increase, resulting in a darker appearance.
• Allergies that may cause itching or rubbing around the eyes or lids. This causes the fragile blood vessels to dilate or bruise, leading to that dark appearance under the eyes known as "allergic shiners." This is especially noticeable in those with seasonal allergies, such as hay fever.
• Colds or sinus infections, which can lead to an increased pressure on the blood vessels under the eyes, leading to a temporary dark circle appearance.

For more from the article, click here.

Labels: dark circles, skincare