My sister-in-law has a truly lovely face, but often laments the dark circles under her eyes. My husband does too. In fact, all the siblings suffer from what they affectionately call the “family eyes.” (Of course, they use their name.) A branch of my family also has that frequent dark, sunken look. As we will see, it’s not unusual to have such a family trait, but what about me?
I fall more under the category of folks who have puffy eyes or dark circles occasionally, sometimes lasting for longer periods of time than others. I am not alone. Chances are high (very high) that you too look in the mirror periodically and cringe slightly at the eyes looking back. What’s it all about?
2 Types – 9 Reasons – 11 Tips
Two Types of Dark or Puffy Eyes
Two dermatological conditions that few of us find attractive (outside of Halloween) have a related appearance and various causes. They are:
—– 1) Puffy Eyes, resulting in the appearance of periorbital dark shadows;
—– 2) Thinning of skin (under the eyes) making blood vessels more noticeable and visible.
Nine Reasons for Dark or Puffy Eyes
Before noting the possible reasons for “the look,” I’d like to point out that in almost all cases, it can be lessened – at least to some degree.
- Genetics
Like my husband’s family, dark eyes can be an inherited gene (often with an onset as soon as early-mid 20s). A 2015 Brazilian medical journal noted a study of the severity of dark circles (often referred to as “genetic hyperpigmentation”) and concluded that family history is the most significant factor.
How does this gene affect dark circles? In two key ways. It can Influence Collagen levels and Melanin production. The protein, collagen should keep skin elastic and supple, lessening the appearance of wrinkles. Reduced levels of collagen are a problem. Excess melanin can intensify the black/brown/darker pigments in skin. Incidentally, over-exposure to the sun can also stimulate excess melanin.
….. - Aging
While not a show-stopper in terms of self-help, age does work against us in this area of our faces. Loss of fat and collagen creates a thinning of the tissues around the eyes, skin already thin, making them look puffy or swollen and with more visible blood vessels.
….. - Sleep Deprivation
Most likely you have looked at a friend and asked “are you getting enough sleep” or “you look tired.” Subconsciously or not, you were probably reacting to the appearance of their eyes. Lack of sleep can cause skin to grow dull and pale. In turn, as mentioned before, this causes the blood vessels to be more visible, and voila, dark circles. Additionally, too little sleep can cause fluid to build under eyes and ‘appear’ swollen, with the puffy eyelids actually casting tiny shadows which amplify the dark circles.
….. - Dehydration
While I just reported that we don’t want fluid build-up, conversely, without enough bodily fluid eyes appear dull and sunken. This is especially true because the skin around the eyes is so close to underlying bone.
… - Eye Strain
Overuse or stress on our vision can cause blood vessels around eyes to enlarge, with the result leading to skin around the eyes appearing darker.
… - Allergies
Both dry eyes and allergies can lead to dark circles. When you have an allergic reaction, such as a response to harmful bacteria, your body releases histamines. These can cause itchiness and redness, leading you to rub your eyes, thus exacerbating the irritation, swelling and broken blood vessels – all leading to the appearance of dark shadows. [Sans Barnabas.]
… - Alcohol
Past that first drink, alcohol can cause blood vessels under the eyes to dilate, and as we now have learned this makes dark circles more apparent. In addition, while alcohol appears to make us sleepy (and sloppy?) it can negatively impact and disrupt sleep cycles. This brings us back to puffy dark eyes due to sleep deprivation.
… - Smoking
I am not certain that a health condition exists that isn’t at least mildly (usually profoundly) affected by cigarettes. Smoking leads to premature aging in several ways, including damage to the skin as it speeds up the breakdown of collagen (which we don’t want to happen). By depriving skin of oxygen, carbon monoxide in cigarettes can cause darkening around the eyes where skin is sensitive.
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The two most common medical conditions associated with puffy and/or dark eyes are thyroid disease and anemia (from iron deficiency). As mentioned under smoking, when the body is unable to supply sufficient oxygen to its tissues (like the thin ones under our eyes), common gloomy spheres are often a result.
Eleven Tips & Treatments
to Lessen Puffy & Dark Periorbital areas
Even those who suffer from genetic predispositions for dark circles often have exacerbating issues as well. So most of us can lessen – if not eliminate – the offending crop-circle look. Yet your success depends on the cause of YOUR situation.
Frankly, dark circles are not that easy to rid oneself of, but they can be improved. Remember that you may have more than one cause. We might wish to simply blame it all on age and suffer with it. No judgement here if that’s your decision. Still, there may be times you wish to ‘put down your bags….lighten the load…..erase the signs.’ Whatever way you think of it, here are some ideas for improvement.
- Get more sleep. My repetitive, old saw, but what a rejuvenator sleep is; if not a magic elixir, it’s still an elixir. [See Napachino ideas.]
… - Include more fluids in your day, and ones that are non-caffeinated or non-alcoholic. [See One-Trick to Avoid Dehydration from Caffeine or Alcohol.]
… - Reduce computer, tablet, phone, and TV screen-staring time. During the day (if at the computer) set an alarm reminding you to stand and look away – or move a bit – every 20 minutes. If engrossed in TV or a movie at home, occasionally stand up and move to another position from your seat to allow your eyes a different focus.
… - Natural or OTC allergy meds may help. If you are certain you have “allergies” (with the typical symptoms of sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes) and are not currently using a treatment, some formulations may help dark circles. [See Seasonal Allergies Big or Small – tips for treatments.] These remedies do not help improve the shady spheres if allergies are not the underlying culprit (or one of them).
… - Keep alcohol use to one drink/day or less.
… - If you still smoke, designate someone to slap you on the fanny each time you reach for the pack. No, I am not encouraging violence, but something has to get your attention. By this time, everyone knows possible approaches to stop. One that may not have worked for you in the past may work now. I am reminded of a Tony Robbins saying “the past does not equal the future.”
… - If you suspect you suffer from iron-deficiency, have a blood test. It is not uncommon. [A 2014 study of periorbital hyperpigmentation, published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, stated that half of their 200 subjects with dark circles had iron-deficiency anemia. Treatment was reported to improve, if not eliminate, the darkness for many of the patients.]
You, or your health care provider, might determine an iron supplement is necessary. You may also wish to simply up your quota of iron-rich foods (such as shellfish, spinach, beans and lentils, pumpkin seeks, quinoa, dark chocolate, soybeans, raisins and other dried fruits, and if so inclined, red organ meats).
… - Cold compresses are one solution I have personally tried for puffy eyes. I’ve seen some slim success with this (and that below) at least for a temporary period. The cold compress decreases swelling and shrinks dilated blood vessels. Even if only short-lived, it’s simple. Ice in a washcloth for 20 minutes over your eyes and that’s it. Don’t expect miracles, but it’s cheap, easy and a tiny bit effective.
… - Cold Tea Bag compresses have worked better for me than the ice alone. Caffeine and antioxidants in the tea are said to shrink blood vessels and reduce fluid retention by stimulating blood circulation. Brew the tea (black or green) as usual in hot water for 5 minutes. Chill the used teabags for 15-20 minutes in refrigerator and apply to eyes for 15-20 minutes. Rinse afterwards if you wish. Again, the change in look is temporary, but you might get a few more days of less puffiness, replaced by a glimmering glow.
… - Cosmetic make-up. I am including this only because a “concealer” (hopefully one you are not allergic to) is my preference over the next (last) possibility. Men can use this too, but I realize it’s not their first thought for a solution. If using make-up, remember the eye skin is very thin. Choose a fluid type concealer, perhaps with a foam applicator, instead of one that demands you drag your finger along the sensitive area as you blend it into your skin.
… - Medical Treatment. Dermatologists or Cosmetic Surgeons address age-induced under-eye circles and thinning tissue from two usual approaches. Those are either “live with it” or consider targeted treatment. The latter may include “fillers” (due to loss of collagen), laser therapy or chemical peels (to reduce pigmentation). More extreme measures can include medical tattoos, but I am choosing not to go there. There is also the possibility of fat removal (for “smoother surface,” which I find counter-intuitive), or surgical implants of synthetic products.
I rather hope that these medical treatments are the last options, just as they are in last place on my list. They’re invasive, expensive, risky, and often with long-recuperation periods. Still, in extreme cases, we need to be grateful for the advances in cosmetic surgery. For some it can certainly improve the spirit along with the appearance.
FINAL THOUGHT
As mentioned, for any of us with puffy or dark-circled dyes, the cause can be unclear or multi-fold. Dark circles aren’t the end of the world. They may simply be an issue of vanity. Still, they tend to have an unhealthy look, which is not encouraging of, nor inspiring to, our effort to age with pizzazz. If we wish to reduce them, it’s best to approach the plan as non-invasively as is effective. Start slow. Begin with the tips above. You may get a whole new light approach to this dark issue.
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Title collage photo credits: Older man with mustache Image by Michele De Vivo from Pixabay; Close up man’s blue eye, Image by Daniel Costel Dană from Pixabay; Older woman with dark eyes Image by Daniel Kirsch from Pixabay; Woman with hands on ears Photo by William Krause on Unsplash
Thanks for this interesting information! Smoking even if you have stopped long ago, can come back to bite you in unsuspected ways, such as bladder cancer. Tjis just happened in my wife’s family and it is a shock! Don’t smoke!
Good advice for all. If we could offer an easy fix, people would be better off. No miracles on the horizon.