Bags and dark circles under the eyes are a problem familiar to women of all ages. How dark spots form, is it possible to finally get rid of them, how to do this and whether eye cream will help in this situation - we are looking for answers to all questions in this article.
- Causes of dark circles under the eyes
- What does the color of circles under the eyes mean?
- How to prevent dark circles
- How to get rid of dark circles under the eyes
- Eliminating the problem with cosmetics
Causes of dark circles under the eyes
It is generally accepted that circles under the eyes appear due to lack of sleep and fatigue, which means that all that is needed to eliminate the problem is proper sleep and rest. In fact, the nature of the origin of blue can be different, let's consider the possible reasons.
Age-related changes
After 30 years, collagen production in the body begins to decrease, as a result of which the skin around the eyes, initially thinner than in other areas of the face, loses density. Due to the fact that the skin becomes thinner, dark circles under the eyes appear even in those who did not encounter this problem in their youth.
Lack of sleep and overwork
It's no secret that after sleepless nights, dark circles become clearer and more noticeable. This is due to a disruption in the functioning of blood vessels.
Heredity
Whatever one may say, dark circles under the eyes in most cases are a matter of genetics. From your mother and grandmother you can get:
thin transparent skin;
tendency to hyperpigmentation - for example, Easterners often synthesize melanin at a faster rate than Europeans.
Allergy
Problems with the skin around the eyes may be the body's reaction to the release of the hormone histamine, a neurotransmitter. When interacting with an allergen from food or cosmetics, it is activated, resulting in irritation and swelling.
What does the color of circles under the eyes mean?
Under-eye circles come in almost every color of the rainbow. Let's figure out what's what.
Blue and purple
Usually the cause of circles of this shade is lack of sleep and/or aging - with age, blood vessels become more fragile.
The mechanism for the formation of such circles is as follows: the breakdown products of hemoglobin exit through the vascular wall into the surrounding tissues and stain them blue.
Products with caffeine and vitamin C will help alleviate the situation.
Yellow or brown
The reason for their formation is the active production of melanin in the area around the eyes. It is produced in increased quantities due to:
genetic characteristics of the skin;
In this case, cosmetics containing vitamin C, retinoids, eperulin and procysteine are effective.
Reds
Red circles under the eyes may mean:
release of histamine into the general bloodstream;
increased blood supply to blood vessels as a result of blood stagnation.
In the first case, the cause of the formation of circles will be an allergy, in the second - eye strain, for example, from working at the computer for a long time.
To prevent red circles under the eyes, products with vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid) are suitable, and cosmetics with eperulin, allantoin and panthenol will help soothe the skin after an allergic reaction.
Bags under the eyes
Genetics, again, is mainly responsible for the tendency to edema. But eating chips at night or drinking a cup of tea before bed can trigger the appearance of bags under the eyes in the morning. If puffiness is your problem, try to avoid drinks and salty and spicy foods a few hours before bed.
Caffeine has a pronounced drainage property, so cosmetics containing it should appear in the arsenal of everyone who knows first-hand what swelling and bags under the eyes are.
How to prevent dark circles
All the recommendations listed below are simple and universal; they are suitable for people of any age and all skin types.
Get enough sleep
This advice will not help in all cases, but if your “bruises” are caused by lack of sleep, their appearance will be prevented by that same “beauty sleep” from 22.00 pm to 4.00 am - at this time the production of the sleep hormone melatonin is maximum. A full night's sleep improves tissue oxygenation and increases the outflow of dark venous blood. It is better to sleep in a well-ventilated room at a temperature of 18–20 degrees.
Don't drink too much tea or coffee at night
These drinks retain moisture in the body, preventing normal microcirculation, which will certainly manifest itself in dark circles and puffiness in the morning. If you like to drink tea in the evening, it is better to do it two to three hours before bedtime.
Don't have a salty snack before bed
Salt also retains water in the body and impairs blood circulation. As a result, the eyelids swell, and blood vessels begin to show through through the thinned, stretched tissues.
Moisturize your skin
Moisturized skin retains a high level of renewal longer, which means that all age-related changes slow down. Dark circles under the eyes will also get a reprieve.
Wear glasses and contact lenses
Constantly squinting will not only give you early wrinkles around your eyes, but will also give you red circles under your eyes. And there’s no need to even talk about how dangerous it is for your eyesight to neglect glasses or contact lenses.
Apply eye cream correctly
Do not apply it too close to the mucous membrane - not all components of the formula can interact well with it, some can cause irritation.
Distribute the cream with your ring finger over the orbital bone, as if drawing a circle from the inner corner, with slightly patting movements. With this scheme, the skin around the eyes is less stretched and is not injured.
The fewer wrinkles there are on the skin, the lighter the texture of the product should be: at 25 years old, you don’t need a thick anti-aging balm.
How to get rid of dark circles under the eyes
And yet, is it possible to get rid of dark circles for good? The bad news: blue discoloration caused by genetic characteristics cannot be completely removed or prevented. The good news is that we have some recommendations to help you.
General recommendations
Is it possible to get rid of dark circles under the eyes at home? Completely - no, but something can be done.
Choose your cosmetics wisely. In the list of eye cream ingredients, look for:
extracts with a draining effect, such as seaweed or horse chestnut.
All these components accelerate blood flow, improving the removal of dark venous blood from the capillaries. Products with vitamins C and A will help lighten yellow pigmentation, and proper hydration and stimulation of the synthesis of natural proteins (collagen and elastin) is necessary for every skin type.
Protect your skin from the sun. UV rays not only promote the appearance of unwanted pigmentation in the eye area, but also release free radicals, which leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin molecules in skin cells.
To protect your skin and prevent its condition from worsening, do not forget about sunglasses and creams with SPF.
Salon treatments
Since dark circles under the eyes are one of the most common problems, beauty salons offer a wide range of services to help solve them.
Lipofilling - filling the voids around the eyes with your own fat. First, fat is removed from the patient using lipoaspiration, usually from the hips and knees, then it is cleaned, prepared for transplantation, and injected into problem areas using needles. This method is suitable for those whose problem is thin skin under the eyes. But it is worth considering that fat is prone to resorption over time.
Dermotonia - massage using vacuum. This procedure has a draining effect and can reduce swelling of the eyelids, as well as accelerate the synthesis of collagen and elastin, the lack of which can cause age-related dark circles around the eyes.
Mesotherapy — it uses individually selected cocktails based on hyaluronic acid, vitamins, amino acids, which are injected under the skin. This way they work much more effectively than in cream. This procedure is quite well tolerated and has a short recovery period.
Eliminating the problem with cosmetics
Below in the table are several cosmetics recommended for use in the eyelid area.
The skin around the eyes is very sensitive and thin, so it quickly reacts to various negative factors.
The reason is that in this area the epidermis is 5 times thinner than in other parts of the body, while subcutaneous fat is poorly developed and there are practically no sebaceous glands. In addition, the skin around the eyes experiences additional facial stress.
The vessels in this area are located close to the surface, so they often shine through the skin, creating the appearance of circles. A negative reaction of the skin around the eyes can also manifest itself in the form of wrinkles and bags.
Why do dark circles appear under the eyes?
There can be many reasons for the appearance of circles under the eyes, and it is not always a disease:
- The most common cause of dark circles and bags under the eyes is overwork or lack of sleep. At the same time, the skin becomes gray and dull, and the vessels located under its surface become more clearly visible;
Under-eye circles can be caused by improper care using cosmetics that are not suitable for your age category or skin type;- Also, circles under the eyes often appear in those people who frequently rub their eyes. In this case, blood circulation in the paraorbital region (i.e., near the eyes) increases, and the vessels appear more clearly;
- The cause of dark bags in the eye area can be heredity. Too thin skin, increased pigmentation or the presence of very closely located vessels are often inherited;
- Sitting in front of a computer or TV for a long time can provoke the appearance of bags under the eyes;
- Darkening under the eyes often appears in people who abuse caffeine, alcohol, nicotine or drugs;
- It is worth noting that the appearance of circles can provoke natural aging of the skin, during which it becomes flabby and blood vessels appear more clearly.
Diseases that cause circles and bags to appear
Often, dark circles and bags under the eyes can also signal the presence of changes in the body caused by various diseases:
- Kidney diseases (pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, tumors). In this case, the process of removing fluid from the body is disrupted, which provokes its retention and, as a result, the appearance of edema. With kidney disease, circles under the eyes become more noticeable after sleep. Kidney disease may be accompanied by difficulty urinating, fluctuations in blood pressure, as well as pain in the back or lower abdomen, fever or chills. Non-inflammatory processes can occur without visible symptoms, and subsequently cause renal dysfunction. Their only sign may be darkening under the eyes, therefore, if they appear for no apparent reason, it is necessary to get tested;
- Pancreatic diseases (acute and chronic pancreatitis). In this case, in addition to bags under the eyes, pain may appear in the left hypochondrium, increasing after eating, and nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation may also often occur. With pancreatic diseases, the skin becomes dry or too oily and quickly becomes covered with pigment spots;
Helminthiasis. They often cause the appearance of circles and bags under the eyes and are accompanied by abdominal pain, frequent bloating and indigestion, as well as increased fatigue;- Diseases of the nose (sinusitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, rhinitis). In this case, the patient experiences severe headaches, which intensify in the evening or when tilting the head forward. In some cases, a runny nose is mixed with pus, the temperature rises, and chills and dizziness appear. The dark area under the eyes is clearly visible;
- Liver and gallbladder diseases (hepatitis, cholecystitis, cirrhosis). In this case, bruises under the eyes have a yellowish tint and are accompanied by pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, vomiting, and bitterness in the mouth;
- Iron-deficiency anemia. With a reduced level of hemoglobin in the blood, the body's cells do not receive enough oxygen, which causes the appearance of circles under the eyes, dizziness, headaches, and weakness;
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system. As a result, the area under the eyes acquires a bluish tint. Such ailments are accompanied by pain in the heart, tachycardia, bradycardia, fluctuations in blood pressure, dizziness;
Methods of disposal
If the cause of darkening under the eyes is health problems, then you can get rid of them only with the help of special treatment that will eliminate the cause of the disease. If the circles are a cosmetic defect, then the following remedies will help:
Chamomile ice. In order to prepare it, you need to pour 5 g of dried flowers into 250 ml of boiling water and let it cool. Then you need to strain the product, pour it into ice molds and put it in the freezer. If there are circles and bags under the eyes, you need to wipe the skin with ice cubes: this will improve blood circulation, tones the skin, and improve its condition;- Potato. Raw potatoes are grated and applied to the eyelid area for 20 minutes. This will help improve blood circulation, remove bruises and relieve fatigue;
- Tea. If you need to quickly get rid of circles under the eyes, you need to brew two bags of green tea, squeeze them lightly and place them in the freezer for 20 minutes. Then they are applied to the eyelids for a quarter of an hour. After this, perform a light eyelid massage and apply a nourishing cream.
In some cases, to eliminate bags under the eyes, you should seek help from a beauty salon for lymphatic drainage massage or mesotherapy.
There are cosmetics that will help you quickly get rid of dark and black circles, if they are not the result of a disease. These include MDL Complex and Ridulisse C. You can also use a transdermal patch or use a concealer.
Circles and bags in newborns and infants
The presence of dark circles and bags under the eyes in infants may indicate not only a genetic predisposition, but also serious pathologies. First of all, their appearance may indicate problems with the kidneys or cardiovascular system.
Often the appearance of circles in newborns indicates infection with helminths or infectious diseases. The skin around the eyes of a child is the thinnest and most sensitive, so it quickly reacts to problems in the body.
Darkening under the eyes of a newborn can be a consequence of oxygen starvation in the prenatal period or birth trauma.
If such a problem occurs, you should not put off visiting a doctor, because only a specialist can find out the cause and prescribe adequate treatment.
In this article we will look at why dark circles under the eyes occur. Main causes and treatment.
Recommendations for home therapy. Cosmetic ways to disguise the problem. And also how to quickly remove dark circles and bags under the eyes using popular folk recipes. Tips for prevention.
List of the main reasons why dark circles appear on the eyes
The problem is relevant for people of different age groups. The modern rhythm of life causes a number of visual problems. The following provoking factors can be identified:
- Emotional stress and stress. Due to anxiety and psychological stress, the entire body is exhausted. Stress weakens the immune system, which is why many diseases begin. By the way, bruises under the eyes can be an individual feature of the body. When it comes to how to get rid of dark circles under the eyes, special attention must be paid to the psychological state of the patient. If the cause is stress, then the unpleasant symptom disappears by itself. A slightly bluish tint appears in the area under the eyes. They remain for about a week after a strong disturbance.
- Insufficient sleep and rest. One of the most common reasons. It is important to understand that bags under the eyes are not just a visual defect, they indicate a serious malfunction in the body. With a lack of sleep, chronic fatigue syndrome begins and the load on the heart increases. There is a malfunction in the functioning of the brain, the nervous system weakens over time. To restore the body, you need to sleep at least 7 hours a day. Time is also important: it is better to rest from 10 pm to 6 am. During this period, the nervous system is restored and a sufficient amount of endorphins is released. With a lack of sleep, the eye muscles become overstrained, and the skin of the face becomes paler from a lack of oxygen. With constant lack of rest, dark circles do not go away for a long time. And then auxiliary means are needed. For example, a cream against dark circles under the eyes or an ointment. But such cosmetic preparations only temporarily reduce bruises. Lack of sleep has a negative impact on the functioning of all organs.
- Vitamin deficiency and improper diet. The lack of nutrients negatively affects the condition of the skin. Dark circles under the eyes often appear after strict diets.
- Bad health habits. The use of drugs, alcohol-containing drinks and smoking lead to intoxication of the body. The condition of the skin can be used to judge the functioning of the entire body. This results in rashes, uneven complexion and circles under the eyes. Quite soon, the body’s blood circulation is disrupted, and tissue oxygen starvation occurs. As a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, circles under the eyes often become chronic. Bad habits provoke various diseases: atherosclerosis, heart and liver problems. In this case, in addition to lifestyle correction, comprehensive treatment is also necessary.
- Hereditary factor and age. The skin around the eyes is especially delicate. With age, the amount of subcutaneous tissue decreases, so the skin becomes thinner and the capillaries are more visible. In addition, chronic diseases worsen over time. Often such problems are associated with the functioning of all internal organs. With systematic therapy, it is possible to remove dark circles under the eyes. During illness, it is better to take extra care of your skin. When a person does not know why there are dark circles under the eyes: there are no visible pathologies, the body functions normally, then it is worth considering a genetic predisposition.
- Prolonged work in front of a computer. When sitting in front of a monitor, the visual analyzer becomes tense. As a result, vision rapidly deteriorates, fatigue increases, and dark circles and puffiness appear under the eyes. The capillaries break, which is why there is a slightly bluish tint under the eyelids. There may also be redness and burning in the eye area, and increased tearing. In this situation, it is necessary to minimize exposure to the computer and TV.
- Poor quality of cosmetics. The wrong choice of cosmetics leads to dark circles under the eyes. It is better if all products have a quality certificate, undergo dermatological control and are selected taking into account all the individual needs of the skin. Sensitive skin also develops peeling, severe itching and other unpleasant symptoms. The right gel or patches for bruises under the eyelids can not only prevent the problem, but also cope with its first manifestations.
Among all the above options Long-term work at the computer and lack of sleep lead the way. From a medical point of view, it is necessary to separately consider possible diseases. For example, dark circles under the eyes in men can occur due to problems with potency.
Dark circles under the eyes in childhood
In a child, dark circles under the eyes indicate serious disorders in the body. A malfunction of the circulatory or lymphatic system is expressed in darkening of the above-mentioned area.
If the bruises have a brown tint, we can talk about intoxication of the body (poisoning). And with adenoids, in addition to changes in the shade of the skin, the patient notices intermittent breathing and wheezing during sleep.
Dark circles under the eyes can also appear with chronic tonsillitis in a child. This is an infectious disease that requires immediate treatment.
In order not to serve as a provoking factor, qualified assistance is necessary, since self-medication is unacceptable for children.
Impact of diseases
Dark eyelids are a common symptom of health problems. Diagnostics and medical history will help the specialist determine what disease the circles under the eyes indicate.
Kidney damage of an infectious or non-infectious nature provokes fluid retention in the body. This causes bruises and bags under the eyes. In this case, the following signs are observed:
- problems with urination;
- pain in the lumbar area;
- blood pressure increases;
- A laboratory test reveals an elevated level of protein in the blood.
It is typical that the symptom appears in the morning, as more fluid accumulates in the body during the night. If left untreated, the bruises become more noticeable and persist throughout the day.
- Dark circles and bags under the eyes are often caused by an allergic reaction. There is also itching and a feeling of a foreign body in the eye. The patient rubs this area more often, causing spots and irritation to appear. Sometimes swelling of the eyelids occurs. When the allergy is eliminated, the symptom disappears. The area around the eyes acquires a dark shade due to atopic dermatitis. It is characterized by relapses, so the problem appears from time to time.
- Pathologies associated with the liver lead to an increase in skin pigmentation. A yellowish tint is usually noticeable due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. Gallbladder disease causes the same effect. But in this case, there is a bitterness in the mouth, pain in the area of the right hypochondrium and disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In such a situation, you can hide the symptom using a corrector for dark circles under the eyes. But gallbladder pathologies are treatable, so it is better to undergo a course of therapy.
- Dark circles under the eyes of a child may occur due to parasites in the body. In this case, taking appropriate medications helps.
- With anemia, the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases. This can be an independent problem or accompany other diseases. In this situation, only treatment will help remove dark circles under the eyes. They do not go away even after a long sleep. The patient also has increased fatigue, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath. Another typical symptom is pale skin.
- In diabetes, blood glucose levels increase. There are 2 reasons: lack of insulin and lack of tissue response to it. As a result, tissue nutrition is disrupted or damage to the kidneys, retina or blood vessels develops.
Poor circulation also causes under eye circles in women or men. This begins due to venous stagnation. A typical diagnosis is vegetative-vascular dystonia. It happens at any age. The risk increases with stress, diseases of the nervous system and sleep disorders.
Pathology occurs with problem vision. Especially during the inflammatory process. In addition, the patient complains of excessive tearing, burning, itching and swelling of the eyelids.
Diagnostic features
It is necessary to visit a therapist and an ophthalmologist. Afterwards, clinical and laboratory tests are prescribed. If the results of the examination do not reveal any violations, then a repeat visual examination is carried out.
Diagnostic examination methods:
- general urine analysis;
- visual inspection;
- tests for sugar levels and blood biochemistry.
Additional diagnostic techniques may be required:
- biopsy;
- ultrasonography;
- radiography.
If there are no problems with sleep and sufficient rest, signs of fatigue should disappear. If this does not happen, then it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination of the entire body. Circles and wrinkles under the eyes often indicate serious vision problems or liver-related pathologies.
Features of treatment
It is important to adjust your daily routine: walks in the fresh air, a balanced menu and enough sleep. For example, dark circles under a child’s eyes occur during periods of illness or when immunity is low. At home, you should adhere to the following skin care rules:
- cosmetic products must have a good shelf life;
- it is important to wash off decorative cosmetics before going to bed;
- impurities remain on the skin even after toner or micellar water, so you need to wash them off with additional running water;
- Washing in a contrasting way will help remove dark circles under the eyes. The temperature should range from cold to moderately hot.
Elimination of this defect is possible with the help of therapeutic procedures. For example, effective exercise and massage. An ointment aimed at improving blood circulation in the eye area will also help. It may have a slight cooling effect.
Cosmetology procedures
Cosmetic procedures help quickly get rid of dark circles under the eyes. This can be done either by a specialist or independently. You need to pay special attention to moisturizing and nourishing the skin.
Various oils are effective for dark circles under the eyes at home. List of especially useful species for this problem:
- olive;
- grape seeds;
- avocado oil;
- Shea Butter.
It is better to use them before bed on slightly damp skin. After 30-40 minutes, remove the residue with a damp disc.
Homemade face masks will help nourish the skin with all the necessary substances and speed up blood circulation in the tissues. Moreover, their ingredients are quite inexpensive.
You can get rid of dark circles under the eyes at home by making compresses.
To do this, just prepare a decoction of chamomile or string. These plants are great for soothing sensitive skin. For long-lasting results, they must be kept on the eyelids for about 15 minutes daily. And for those who do not want to waste time preparing decoctions, patches for dark circles are suitable.
Such tools can be used even while on the road or at work. Therefore, patches are popular among office workers. The price is reasonable; allergic reactions usually do not occur. They also tone sensitive skin and improve blood circulation.
This is one of the easiest ways to get rid of dark circles under the eyes at home. Compresses in combination with additional cosmetic attributes provide a quick visual effect and good skin condition.
Using masks for dark circles
A homemade mask for bags and dark circles under the eyes made from cucumbers is one of the most popular options. It is necessary to blot cotton pads with fresh vegetable juice.
Keep in the eyelid area for 15 minutes. For a more lasting result, you can add a few drops of peach oil. Repeat the procedure 1-2 times a week.
Cottage cheese will help quickly remove dark circles under the eyes. It needs to be ground into a plastic paste and placed in the suffering area. Keep it for 20 minutes. It is better to clean with a cotton pad soaked in a decoction of green tea.
Another homemade mask for dark circles is made from potatoes.
The following components are required:
- 1 medium potato;
- 1 teaspoon of any vegetable oil.
If desired, replace the butter with oatmeal in the same quantity. The mask should have the consistency of thick sour cream. Grate the potatoes on a fine grater, then add butter or flour. Keep on skin for 20-30 minutes. Repeat 2 times a week. Professional products will help enhance the effect of home cosmetics.
For example, a cream against dark circles under the eyes. It must contain active ingredients of natural origin to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction in the eyelid area.
Use of cosmetics
Depending on the cause, therapy takes varying amounts of time. For women, treatment is combined with visits to a cosmetologist. He prescribes various ways to deal with the problem.
These include sessions in the clinic and proper home skin care. For example, a serum for dark circles under the eyes or a filler.
The specialist knows how to quickly remove bruises and shadows under the eyes. Camouflage sessions are often done. The procedure is aimed at long-lasting results. It makes it possible to get rid of circles as quickly as possible.
To begin with, the cosmetologist thoroughly cleanses the skin and injects an anesthetic. When the drug begins to act, you can begin to inject pigment into the upper layer of the epidermis.
The duration of the entire procedure is about 60 minutes. It all depends on how large the area of bruises is and their intensity. The camouflage of dark circles under the eyes does not harm your health. Contains components of plant origin.
Anesthetic cream helps combat discomfort. The final result is visible after 30 days. But among the disadvantages one can note the high price. The camouflage of dark circles under the eyes gives the face freshness, but only masks the existing problem, so it is impossible to do without therapy.
You can also consult a makeup artist. He will take into account all skin characteristics and wishes. As a result, he will choose the best concealer for dark circles under the eyes, taking into account the needs of the client.
It is important that it not only matches the color parameters and texture, but also does not dry out the skin, since many representatives of this group of products have this drawback.
Properly done makeup is the fastest way to get rid of dark circles under the eyes.
Prevention
To prevent this defect, you need to pay special attention to your daily routine. A sufficient amount of oxygen must be supplied to the body. You need to sleep at least 8 hours.
The remedy for dark circles under the eyes hides the marks after a sleepless night, but fatigue negatively affects both the functioning of the heart and the state of the nervous system. External manifestations disappear after a long rest.
Another important nuance is a sufficient amount of physical activity. They improve blood circulation throughout the body, so the complexion becomes much smoother.
As for special products, it is better to use cream for dark circles under the eyes after 25 years. It will moisturize the skin and hide the first visible signs. But it is better to select funds with a specialist.
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