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Bags Under Eyes: Causes and Methods of Get Rid of Dark Circles

It is commonly thought that dark eye circles are due to a lack of sleep and being tired. While this can be the case, there are many other underlying reasons that could be the cause. If you find it is affecting your appearance, it may be an indication that you need to explore remedies that could involve lifestyle changes or medical advice.

Reasons for getting Bags under the Eyes

If you want to get rid of dark circles under your eyes, it is best to find the root cause instead of always treating the symptom. Typically, you will notice puffiness, mild swelling, or a darkened skin tone below the eyes.

Through the aging process, muscles weaken, and fatty tissue diminishes causing the skin to become thinner and to sag, particularly around the eyes. Although it is rare for bags under your eyes to be a symptom of a serious disorder, you still want to be able to rule out potential health conditions and make positive lifestyle changes that reduce the frequency and severity of bags and dark circles.

Common causes

Eye puffiness is more prominent in the morning, which can be temporary or last for hours. If you don’t suffer from any severe eye conditions or diseases, these are some of the possible causes that result in those baggy looking eyes. Identifying the cause will help find an effective dark circles remedy:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Allergies
  • Smoking
  • Aging
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Diet deficiency
  • Touching, rubbing your eyes too often
  • Genes
  • Thyroid issues
  • Dehydration
  • Fluid retention
  • High salt intake
Woman with under-eye patches

Check Your Health

The first step to healthy living is avoiding substance abuse, drinking enough water, getting exercise, having good sleeping habits, and following a balanced and nutritious diet.

There are several things to eliminate and include in your lifestyle that can impact your health for the better, which in turn will reduce the dark rings and bags under your eyes.

In some cases, opting for one of the new procedures for under eye bags, such as chemical peels, fillers, or laser therapy can be an effective solution. However, the following ways are the easiest methods to try first before spending money on treatments that you could otherwise resolve at home.

Sleep

If you have a pattern of going to sleep late or having disrupted sleep, try exercising and using calming and de-stressing techniques that will induce sleep for longer.

UV Rays

Reduce sun exposure to your eyes and face, and always use a high-factor sunscreen.

Home Remedies

There are several home remedies that help remove dark circles under the eyes, which include using a cold press, or thickly cut chilled slices of cucumbers, or almond oil mixed with vitamin E, or soaking and chilling tea bags, which are gently placed over the eyes for at least 10 minutes.

Diet

A poor diet lacking in essential vitamins and minerals is often the cause that affects the body’s physiology and functioning, and causes the stubborn bags under our eyes. Vitamin C, E, and K, and Iron and Lycopene are important vitamins rich in antioxidants that are integral in preventing damage caused by free radicals.

These elements help with blood circulation, collage production, reduce pigmentation, and promote skin and eye health. Great sources of foods high in these vitamins include guavas, tomatoes, oranges, cabbage, papaya, green leafy vegetables, legumes, and almonds.

When to see a doctor

If you have severe and painful swelling and discoloration, it may be time to visit a medical professional who will test you for an infection, allergies, or thyroid disease. Your doctor will determine if it’s necessary to refer you to an eye specialist.

Woman with concealer

Cosmetics

Another reason for dark circles could also be the use of cosmetics, the way in which they are applied, and an incorrect skin care routine. Prolonged use of retinol products have also been known to exacerbate puffy eyes and dark rings under the eyes.

Additionally, when cleansing to remove make-up, you may not realize it, but rubbing the skin too hard can damage the eye capillaries and cause inflammation, making the dark circles under your eyes worse.  Quality make-up removers shouldn’t need a tough scrub to get rid of eyeliner, mascara, and powders. Always be gentle with your skin, especially the delicate areas under your eyes.

Using cosmetics to conceal dark circles and bags

Skin-lightening creams, concealers, eye creams, make-up, and special techniques can all help minimize the appearance of those puffy, dark eyes.

  • Keep an eye gel cooled in the refrigerator, so whenever you apply it, you get a soothing effect that helps constrict the blood vessels.  
  • Include the use of an eye mask in your daily skin care routine and afterwards hydrate the area around the eyes with a light eye cream.
  • Use a concealer that has orange undertones, which offers the best coverage for dark circles as the orange counteracts the dark circles. You can also use a concealer that matches your skin tone.
  • Use a white or nude eyeliner that brightens the eye area. You can also add a highlighter on your brow bone and inner parts of the eye area to open your face and detract from the dark areas.
  • Apply the concealer to the shadow and don’t try to cover the actual eye bag. Using a small and angled brush, apply the concealer just in the crease of the bag. Alternatively, use the pad of the ring finger, which is the weakest finger, so you don’t apply too much pressure.
  • Another technique for applying concealer is to do it in a triangle that starts from under your eye and goes down your cheek. It’s not about using a huge quantity of concealer because that will look obvious, it’s about the way it’s applied that makes a difference.

Adding a smidge of red lipstick to the eye bags and dark circles then covering it with foundation will help neutralize the baggy eye appearance.

When is it better to peel your face skin?

As the seasons shift, you may start noticing changes to your skin. When it’s colder, the skin is more prone to cracking, dryness, and inflammation. In contrast, when it gets warmer, your skin is more susceptible to sunburn and may feel greasier. Different seasons need different skin care routines, and a chemical face peel is a good place to start.

Best Times for Face Peels

While it’s not possible to control weather, it is possible to control your skin health. Although deep face skin peeling is generally not recommended during summer, there are lighter peels that can be done in spring and there you can adjust your skin care routines for different seasons to maintain optimal skin health.

In the warmer months, it is better to switch to lighter moisturizers and lotions to minimize an oil build-up and clogging of the skin, as well as regularly applying sunscreen. When moving from summer to autumn and then winter, you can start incorporating thicker face and body creams and serums to improve skin hydration.

In the colder months, it is also advisable to avoid long, hot showers, and overexposure to cold air and internal heating to prevent triggering issues like scaly skin on the face. However, self-care regimes are not always sufficient in treating skin problems, and that’s when face peels are highly effective.

Types of Peels

There is a wide choice when it comes to facial peels as they each use different ingredients and focus on treating different skin conditions. You can also choose from some of the best chemical peels for wrinkles that are effective as an anti-aging treatment that stimulates collagen to minimize facial lines and wrinkles.

Depending on your skin issue will also determine whether the treatment is applied superficially or applied to penetrate deeper layers of the skin.

  • Light or superficial chemical peels gently exfoliate the outer layer of the skin using mild acids.
  • Medium peels target the outer and middle layers of the skin are aimed at treating pigmentation issues and sun damage.
  • Deep peels penetrate deep into the skin layers to help with severe issues like acne.
Facial peeling

When is it better to do a chemical face skin peel?

Facial peels focus on removing dead skin cells to stimulate new cell growth and to increase the production of collagen and elastin that keeps the skin feeling supple and looking revitalized. Anyone can go for a facial peel to improve skin texture and tone, alleviate wrinkles, and treat sun damage.

However, if you have frequent breakouts and pigmentation that affects your appearance, you will see a great benefit from having a skin peel. Additionally, if you suffer from excessive dry peeling skin on the face, or flaky nose peeling, a chemical facial can help increase hydration and restore damaged skin cells.

The only time you should avoid face peels are when you are pregnant, sunburned, have open sores or an active infection.

Seasonal Face Peels

Because chemical peels remove the outer layer of the skin, sensitivity is heightened, and the treated area will peel. Avoiding the sun and caring for the skin properly is important to prevent infection and get the most out of your treatment.

Before Summer

Autumn, winter, and up to early spring are ideal for getting facial peel treatments because it is easier to avoid high sun exposure, and the air has less moisture, which helps the healing process and decreases the risk of sun damage. Chemical peels require multiple sessions for best results, so going for treatments during the cooler months offers the right time to get your skin ready for the summer.

After Summer

During the hot summer months, when time is mostly spent outdoors, your skin is subjected to UV rays that can cause skin tone changes, hyperpigmentation, and skin cell damage. Start treatment at the end of the season to help reduce the effects that the summer sun can have on your skin.

Frequency of Face Peels

During a facial peel, chemical solutions are applied to the skin, which causes the skin to blister and then peel off. The result is newer, smoother looking skin with regenerate skin cells.

Depending on the type of skin peel will depend on the frequency of sessions between treatments. For light peels, wait at least 4 weeks before the next session, while medium to deep peels can be applied once every 4 to 6 months.

Beautiful woman with clean skin

How is the procedure performed?

Whether you’re having a chemical peel for dark spots, wrinkles, acne, or dry T-zone peeling, the procedures are generally the same although the duration of the process may vary from 30 to 50 minutes.

  • The face is first cleaned, and you will be given protective eyewear.
  • In some cases, a topical anesthetic might be applied to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
  • The chemical solution is gently added to the face, which may cause sensations of stinging or burning. For even results
  • After a certain time, the chemical solution is removed, and a neutralizing solution may be applied.

It is important to prepare for a chemical peel by not applying make-up or retin-A products to the skin at least 2 days prior. You should also let your practitioner know if you are taking medication and if you have any existing health conditions so they can determine possible side-effects or complications. It is common to experience temporary redness, swelling, or dryness.

After the procedure, avoid strenuous and busy activities, and keep hydrated. Refrain from using warm and hot water on your skin as cooler water will soothe any stinging sensations. Your skin’s barrier will be initially compromised, so avoid exfoliating, and use quality, hydrating cream and a high-factor sunscreen.

Do not visit steam rooms or saunas as it will aggravate the skin and prolong the healing process. When your skin starts to feel normal again, you can resume your skin care routine to ensure the benefits of your skin peel are long-lasting.