What causes dark circles under the eyes?

Thin skin: The skin of the lower eyelids is the thinnest skin of the body and the dark circles are just seeing your own capillary blood supply through the skin. They frequently are a familial trait. There is no known effective treatment.

Dark Circles: These circles, also called chloasma is a discoloration or pigment concentration usually under the lower lid, but be anywhere on the face, can be caused by simple familial resemblance. In the acquired types, birth control pill, hormone therapy, sun exposure are among the most common. I ophthalmology it is seen in pts receiving glaucoma drops called prostaglandin analogs (xalatan, lumigan, travatan).

Common problem: The skin is thin in that area and if there is extra weight on your body or gravity has been especially hard on you, the skin can thin out a little and the veins underneath can given an appearance of darkness. Heredity plays a role as well. If these are prominent, especially with under eye bags, then an oculoplastic surgeon should be consulted for evaluation and management.