We've all been there….
Late nights working.
Or studying.
Or maybe it's your turn to take care of the newborn.
Whatever the reason, your lack of sleep is evident.
Not just in your mood or grogginess, but it's written all over your face…literally.
On top of the bags and the red puffy eyes, the twin duffels on your face are in two matching colors, BLACK.
That's right, the dark circles around your eyes are undeniable.
Outside of lack of sleep, what else causes this to happen?
Sometimes men get a great nights sleep and still wake up with the unavoidable darkness.
There are several factors that can play into black bags.
The number one cause? AGE.
This article will tell you several more causes AND 7 tips (including sleep more) to get rid of the pesky dark circles.
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What Causes Dark Circles Under The Eyes?
Lack of rest, poor diet, stress, worry or maybe even genetics could flame this fire of the precocious circles around your eye. Other common causes include:
- Genetics
- Allergies
- Rubbing and scratching from allergies
- Dermatitis & eczema
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Heavy smoking & drinking
- Heredity and pigmentation irregularities
- Sun exposure which causes the body to produce more melanin
- Thinning skin and loss of fat and collagen which makes the blood vessels under your eye more apparent
It's important to note that the skin under the eyes is the thinner than the rest of the face. Over time, the fat cells deplete showing the dark shade of the veins underneath. For this reason, aging is the number one cause but there are several factors that add to it.
We have to remember that the area around the eye is still skin and just like all of the skin on our body, it is sensitive and should be handled with care because it can become inflamed, discolored and bruised.
Dark circles tend to age the appearance of a person. And while wrinkles or gray hair are a mark of modest aging, dark circles are not. If someone is staring wouldn't you prefer the reason to be triggered by interest not induced by unsightly circles? So…
How To Prevent The Dark Circles And Puffy Bags Under Your Eyes?
#1 Drink plenty of water
Dehydrated skin can cause dark circles to appear. The more water you consume, the less chance there is of black eye syndrome.
The easiest way to determine the amount of water intake that would best benefit your system would be to divide your weight in half. The resulting number is the ounces that you should drink per day.
Outside of needing water to live, it also serves several benefits:
- It carries nutrients to the cells which allows the body to stay well hydrated.
- The transportation vehicle to get the vitamins and nutrients to the right places
- Flushes the system and leads to excretion of the harmful toxins
#2 Get more sleep
Not getting enough sleep causes the skin around the eyes to look darker as lack of sleep causes the skin to be paler and reduces circulation.
To combat this, get approximately 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Also, understand that drugs and alcohol can hamper a quality sleep session.
Also, understand that drugs and alcohol can hamper a quality sleep session.
To the best extent possible, remove all sleep barriers and things that will hinder and hamper your ability to rest well.
Also, if you are a night owl and have difficulty getting your Z’s, consider a vitamin that assists with sleep that is easily absorbed into the body.
#3 Use An Anti-Aging Cream
Since the fat deposits under the eyes erode over time, anti-aging creams are a great solution.
They are packed full of ingredients that slow this process down. Over the counter products work great, but if it's a medical condition you may need to look at getting a stronger prescription formula.
Dr. Patricia Farris, M.D. states that “Eye creams are formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eye, so they tend to be thicker. They contain more oil than a regular facial lotion, and they have a lot of active ingredients aimed at the problems we see around the eye.”
Eye creams whether a prescription grade or over-the-counter can potentially have a lasting effect.
#4 Eat well & exercise
Many cosmetic issues are linked to vitamin deficiencies. One of which is dark circles and puffiness which are often associated with lack of vitamin K, deficiency in B12 or inadequate antioxidants.
Vitamin K helps prevent skin discoloration and increases the elasticity of the dermis while Vitamin B12 is essential for the repairing of skin cells.
Eat plenty of fruits, green leafy vegetables, and potassium-rich foods. Also, reduce salt intake. Excessive dietary salt can impair circulation which can cause the blood vessels under the skin to appear bluer and can cause puffiness.
Additionally, regular exercise will increase the blood flow to every part of the body including the eyes. Blood flow will help nourish the skin cells and keep them vital.
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#5 Treat The Allergy
Allergies are well-known culprits of skin discoloration under the eyes. Most seasonal allergies can be effectively treated with over the counter meds. However if the allergy is from a food, a gluten intolerance or chemical, stay away from it!
Often times, people aren't aware that they have an allergy. They continue to eat the same thing as if it's normal routine and have subtle side effects like dark circles.
It's important to get allergy tested and know for sure if you are allergic to an ingredient or not.
Also, don't forget to take care of your sinuses. A stuffy nasal passage can cause the veins around your sinuses to become darkened and result in dark circles under your eyes.
#6 Direct Applications
Use some sort of cold compress over your eyes (not ice).
Drink the tea or not, but definitely, reuse the tea bag. Teas high in caffeine have long been used as a natural treatment for dark circles and puffy eyes. Of course, the tea bags should be steeped as directed, then cooled in a refrigerator or freezer before applying over each closed eye.
If tea bags are not an option for you, chilled cucumbers have also been used and are known to be equally effective.
*But beware of allergies and sensitive skin issues, if you have either, this may not be the route for you.
#7 Plastic Surgery
Sometimes no amount of natural remedies can overcome bad genes. For you unlucky souls this may be the last resort option for you.
Although extreme, what water, rest, and exercise can't fix, surgery may….it may be the solution to overcoming the inherited baggage.
It’s important, however, to do your research on the physician, procedure, and any potential complications that may arise.
While corrective procedures are common, complications are still a possibility.
In Conclusion
Although none of these options are unfamiliar to you, they may come as a welcomed surprise as many times all we need to do is give ourselves a little TLC (tender loving care).
On the other hand, if TLC with eating right, staying hydrated, and getting plenty rest alone won’t do the trick, carefully considering if the root of the problem needs outsourced help e.g. over the counter medicines, eye creams, or quite possibly plastic surgery.
There is no wrong way to deal with this matter except for not dealing with it at all. If you are indifferent or do not know where to start…do yourself a favor and find peace with it until you find a solution that works for you.
There will always be something we are not completely satisfied with that’s outside of our control. And if that’s the case, then your best option is to choose to accept the thing that cannot be changed and fix the things that can.
Click Here To Watch The Video – 7 Tips To Get Rid Of Black Under Your Eye
Want a full guide to men's skincare?
Click Here To Download This FREE 58-Page eBook – The Ultimate Guide To Men's Skincare