Why your eyes have dark circles — and what you can do to get rid of them: experts
Nobody wants to be a bag lady.
To some extent, under-eye bags and dark circles on genetics. But as holiday stress weighs you down, experts also advise cutting back on a few unhealthy habits to reduce their appearance.
Your individual biology — genetics, anatomy, lymphatics and the vascular system — as well as skin health and aging all play a role in under-eye bag appearance, dermatologists say.
“Some of it has to do with facial anatomy,” UK-based dermatologist Dr. Cristina Psomadakis told Daily Mail. “For example, if you have a prominent forehead, inset or bulging eyes, this can cast shadows on the under eye area that is perceived as darkness. A good tip is to have someone check if that skin remains dark with your head tilted back.”
But your under-eye area also thins as you age, making the skin less elastic and droopy, said Dr. Sabrina Shah-Desai, an aesthetic oculoplastic surgeon, who noted that certain people — like those of “Indian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Far East Asian origins” — are more prone to dark circles.
“Youthful, taut skin reflects light well, giving it luminosity; however increasing loss of collagen and hydration with worsening laxity in the skin makes the under-eye area appear duller,” she explained to Daily Mail.
“Years of sun damage, exposure to high energy visible (HEV) light (from smartphones and computer screens) and environmental pollutants leads to hyperpigmentation of the eye area.”
But all hope is not lost, even if you sit in front of a computer all day or lounge in front of the TV a bit too often.
“One of my top tips is to avoid caffeine and alcohol as both are stressors to the body and cause dehydration, which may worsen fine lines,” said Shah-Desai, who also emphasized the importance of a good night’s sleep — every night.
Additionally, in the face of the ongoing nicotine craze in young adults, doctors urged against vaping or smoking.
“Smoking can deplete the body of vital antioxidants and dry out the skin while leaving it looking dull,” Shah-Desai warned.
And, on the topic of dryness, Psomadakis highlighted hydration as the key to keeping skin plump and youthful, in addition to removing makeup entirely at night.
“For those with a lot of puffiness in the morning, sleeping with your head elevated can help,” she added.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, allergies can also create puffiness around the eyes, and reducing those allergy symptoms — such as taking an antihistamine — could also reduce the appearance of eye bags.
If all else fails, the AAO advised less invasive methods, such as using concealer and color-corrector to lighten the under-eyes or placing a cool compress to reduce inflammation. Cosmetic procedures like chemical peels or injecting fillers could also help and should be discussed with a qualified dermatologist.
Experts previously dished to The Post the importance of incorporating Vitamin C and E, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, SPF and moisturizer into a skincare routine to protect the skin barrier for a supple complexion all winter long.
“[Our skin] is the first line of defense against the cold and wind, so we need to ensure the skin barrier is healthy and supported,” explained Katie Matten, Global Head of Education of skincare brand RATIONALE, who advised “gradually” adding in each new product over time.
