How to Prevent Dark Circles & Eye Bags
Every woman has their own kind of stress levels to battle daily. These pressures often result to finding themselves in relentless no-sleep situations wherein the mind and body – with the eyes included – are paying the price.
We fully understand if you’ve Googled “how to prevent dark circles and eyebags” for the nth time out of your frustration to get rid of the dark shadows under your eyes. However, no matter how hard you try, they just keep coming back.
The truth is, there are a lot of possible reasons behind your dark circles and under-eye bags - and as we try to track down its roots, we also reveal some of the information you need to reduce the appearance of these unsightly eye problems.
The Difference Between Dark Circles & Eye Bags
Dark circles and eyebags - although often used alternately - are actually two different things. The key difference is that while dark circles are characterized by the darkening of the under-eye skin, eye bags pertain to the swelling around the eyes.
Dark Circles & Eye Bags: Causes
The bags and dark circles around your eyes is often the result of aging, lack of sleep, stress and working too long in front of the computer. However, it can also be a consequence of:
- Allergies
- Chronic sinus problems
- Excessive salt intake
- Smoking
- Too much alcohol
- Unhealthy diet
Sadly, dark circles may also be hereditary. If you have inherited fairly thin skin, dark eye circles may tend to appear more easily as it reveals the blood vessels underneath. It can also be more obvious for those with lighter skin and might have a purple or reddish tint. For those with medium skin, the under-eye are may appear blue or black, and brown or green for those with darker skin.
How to Get Rid of Dark Circles and Eye Bags
Although it’s definitely not a serious skin problem, and can effectively be concealed with makeup, the unsightly eye bags still keep you looking and feeling sleepless all the time. Experiment with the following tips to see which one will work most effectively in minimizing your eye bags.
1. Sleep on your back. If you often have dark and puffy eyes in the morning, consider sleeping on your back with an additional pillow under your head. It will keep the fluid from pooling in your eyes.
2. Take antihistamines. If the dark circles are somewhat caused by allergies, take antihistamine to reduce the puffiness. It’ll also alleviate irritation so you’ll not have to rub your eyes and make the circles worse.
NOTE: Replace pillowcases regularly to keep dust and dust mites from burrowing in your pillow. These are thought to be the most typical trigger of allergies.
3. Get more restful sleep. Probably the most obvious – yet most neglected way – to reduce the appearance of eye bags is to get an adequate amount of sleep of at least 7-8 hours daily.
4. Avoid excess salt in your diet. The sodium that causes bloat in the body is also the culprit that causes the swelling under your eyes. Cut back on salt to help reduce the bags under your eyes.
5. Stay hydrated. When the body is dehydrated, it reacts by holding as much water as it can, thus resulting to puffy eyes. Avoid bags and dehydration altogether by drinking 8 ounces of water, 8 times daily.
6. Avoid too much alcohol. Excessive alcohol is another culprit that results to dehydration. If you suffer from chronic eye bags, you should take a closer look at your alcohol consumption.
7. Increase intake of vitamin C. Eating food packed with vitamin C helps stimulate the production of collagen – a protein that keeps your skin healthy, hydrated, and glowing.
8. Avoid smoking. Smoking is notorious for causing dark eye circles, and abstaining from cigarettes not only gives you brighter and healthier eyes but will also, of course, improve your overall health.
9. Exercise regularly. Working out stimulates blood circulation that helps you achieve a brighter and younger looking skin. It also releases endorphins, keeping dark eye-causing stress and anxiety at bay.
10. Meditate. Pair your regular exercise with some meditation. It’s also a great way to fight wrinkles and fine lines triggered by stress.
The Skin Care Routine to Fight Dark Circles and Eye Bags
A combination of a healthy lifestyle, good habits and an optimal skin care routine will amplify your efforts to combat dark circles and eye bags. Here are some of the crucial steps you should take note of:
- Use sunscreen and lightening products.
Eye bags and dark circles caused by increased pigment due to rubbing or sun damaged can be diminished by including topical lightening agents in your skin care routine. In addition to this, you should also use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to keep your delicate skin from further damage.
- Apply moisturizer twice daily.
Another fundamental in your good skin care habit: apply moisturizer at least twice daily. You can consider a lighter moisturizer with an SPF for daytime, and a combination of heavier moisturizer and eye cream before bedtime.
- Be gentle with your makeup remover.
Never go to sleep with your makeup on. Use a professional makeup remover by blotting – not rubbing – the solution with cotton pads (preferably) on your face. The skin under your eyes is among the thinnest and most sensitive on the body so you should treat it gently and with utmost care.
Fight Dark Circles and Eye Bags with Skin MD
If you find that these measures are still ineffective, visit us at Skin MD for treatments that can effectively reduce the appearance of dark circles and eyebags. Dark circles can be treated with Restylane skinboosters and eyebags can be reduced by Refirme Skin Tightening.
Now, while you’re at it, it would be best if you also seek the advice of your skin care expert. Here at Skin MD, we offer a wide range of anti-aging solutions – ReFirme Skin Tightening, Syneron Elos Skin Rejuvenation and more – to treats all signs of aging including the appearance of dark circles and bags under your eyes.
Ready to get rid of your eye bags and dark circles? Contact Skin MD today.