“Dark Circles” or “Under Eye Bags” refers to the darkening of the skin around the eyes, which can make a person look older, tired, and depressed. It usually happens due to a pigment named as “Melanin”, which gives our skin varying degrees of brown shades. Dark circles are caused when there are too many melanin producing cells in the skin,around the eyes.
What causes under eye bags & what are different methods of treatment?
There are several causes of this symptom, but mostly it may be a result of personal habits, certain types of skin conditions or heredity, or certain illnesses or infections. Let’s talk about each of these causes in detail.
1. Heredity
This is the most common reason of having under eye bags. People get dark circles under their eyes because their parents or grandparents have chronic eye bags. It is in your genes. If you have it inherited, then there are various treatments which you can use to get rid of them. Firstly, a physical examination is required to determine your health issues. Your doctor can run various tests to determine other underlying health issues that are causing your dark circles. Secondly, rubbing of topical Vitamin C under eye scan help to reduce them. Vitamin C encourages skin cell regeneration, and helps to reduce inflammation and brighten dark areas. With regular use, your hereditary eye bags will be less noticeable. You can find Vitamin C available topically in a variety of different lotions, serums and creams.
2. Skin Allergies / Infections
Allergies are a common cause of skin discoloration under the eyes. Dark circles are so common with allergies that they are sometimes called “allergic shiners”. Allergies cause a histamine release in the body, which may result in the appearance of under eye bags. To avoid dark circles which occur due to allergies,we must get an allergy test and should try to reduce them. Food allergy can also be another reason of getting eye bags. A consumption of healthy balanced diet, with vitamins C, E, K and plenty of water can help reduce dark circles. Fruits and vegetables, especially cabbage, spinach, and other leafy green vegetables are a good source of healthy diet. Reduce salt intake. Excess salt causes the body to retain water in unusual places, and this can result in puffiness under the eyes. Allergies can also be caused by commercial beauty products, such as under-eye creams or mascaras. It is commonly advised that before applying any cosmetic product, get checked for skin patch test to avoid symptoms of dark circles.
3. Aging
The skin around the eyes is normally thinner and looser than skin elsewhere on the body. As we get older, it becomes even looser and thinner, making the bags under the eyes unavoidable. This allows fluid to collect, causing a puffy appearance. Veins under the skin can create the dark appearance of the skin.You can get rid of it by having best possible diet, regular exercise that allows the body to sweat out excess fluid and improve blood circulation, and having plenty of sleep. Some people opt for cosmetic surgery, a procedure called blepharoplasty, to get rid of bags, while others use anti-aging topical creams and lotions to reduce dark circles and puffiness.
4. Other Factors
Menstruation, pregnancy, hormone imbalances, smoking cigarettes, sinus congestion, inadequate sleep and stress/anxiety can all cause dark eye bags. Even some medications which widen the blood vessels contribute to the condition. However, these situations are temporary.
There are plenty of natural remedies that you can use to get rid of under eye bags. Cool cucumber slices, a cotton ball dipped in potato juice, crushed mint leaves, a teaspoon of tomato and lime juice, leaving castor oil overnight, and cool teabags can really help relieve stressed out eyes, and make you look fresh and young.