Dark circles are a common problem nowadays. With people spending more hours in front of computer screens and less hours in bed, their incidence is definitely on the rise. They make you look chronically tired, dull, lethargic and in extreme cases, something out of a horror show.
The various reasons why they occur are:
* Genetic: If your parents, aunts etc have it, you are more likely to develop it.
* Lack of sleep: The most common cause. In a metropolitan life, if you get 5-6 hours, you are lucky. The deficit builds up over months and causes darkening and puffiness due to poor circulation.
* Lack of proper nutrition: Diets deficient in fresh fruits and veggies lead to antioxidant deficiencies, which in turn cause pigmentary irregularities.
* Allergies: Chronic ones can be the cause of dark circles (especially hay fever, pollen allergies etc)
* Over-exposure to computer monitors, television screens and such.
* Stress, chronic fatigue, anxiety.