Say Goodb-EYE to Bags & Dark Circles

The Problem

There are many causes of dark circles under your eyes, usually accompanied by bags which can exacerbate the issue. Unless you are elderly or have a genetic predisposition then there is usually a logical explanation. In most cases, treatment is non medical and fairly easy.

What Causes Dark Circles

There are a number of contributing factors for dark circles. Some common ones include:

Age

Aging is a common cause of dark circles beneath your eyes. As you get older, your skin becomes thinner. You also lose the fat and collagen needed to maintain your skin’s elasticity. As this occurs, the dark blood vessels beneath your skin become more visible causing the area below your eyes to darken.

Fatigue

Sleep deprivation can cause your skin to become dull and pale, allowing for dark tissues and blood vessels beneath your skin to show. This could be due to anything from chronic fatigue to just staying up a bit later than usual.

Allergies

When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases histamines as a response to harmful bacteria. Other than causing uncomfortable symptoms — including itchiness, redness, and puffy eyes — histamines also cause your blood vessels to dilate and become more visible beneath your skin.

Eye Strain

If you stare at a screen for large portions of the day be it the TV or the computer at work, this can cause a significant strain on your eyes. This eye strain can cause blood vessels around your eyes to enlarge. As a result, the skin surrounding your eyes can darken.

Sun

Being overexposed to the sun can cause your body to produce an excess of melanin, the pigment that provides your skin with color. Too much sun, particularly for your eyes, can cause pigmentation in the surrounding skin to darken.

Dehydration

Dehydration is the most common cause of dark circles under your eyes. When your body is not receiving the proper amount of water, the skin beneath your eyes begins to look dull and your eyes look sunken.

Treatment

Treatment is dependant on the underlying cause, however, there are some home remedies that can help manage the issue.

Water

The easiest and most common solution is to drink more water. The Eatwell guide from the NHS says 6 to 8 glasses of water per day is enough to hydrate your body. Don’t forget that tea and coffee are diuretics meaning they increase production of urine which can ultimately increase the excretion of water from your body.

Sleep

Get more of it. simple. Around 7 to 8 hours per night is enough to fully rest the body and see an improvement in the dark circles and puffiness.

Cold Compress

A cold compress can help reduce swelling and shrink dilated blood vessels. This can reduce the appearance of puffiness and help eliminate dark circles. Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean washcloth and apply to your eyes. You can also dampen a washcloth with cold water and apply it to the skin under your eyes for 20 minutes for the same effect. Repeat this process if the cloth becomes warm or if the ice melts.

Tea bag

Applying cold tea bags to your eyes can improve their appearance. Tea contains caffeine and antioxidants that can help stimulate blood circulation, shrink your blood vessels, and reduce liquid retention beneath your skin. Soak two black or green tea bags in hot water for five minutes. Let them chill in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. Once they’re cold, apply the teabags to your closed eyes for 10 to 20 minutes. After removing, rinse your eyes with cool water.

Makeup

While makeup and cosmetics do not cure dark eye circles, they can help to camouflage them. Concealers can cover dark marks so they blend in with your normal skin color. However, as with any topical treatment or makeup product, use proper care. Some products can cause your symptoms to worsen and may trigger an allergic reaction. If you begin to experience irregular symptoms from any topical treatment, stop use immediately and schedule a visit with your doctor.