The under-eye area is a particularly sensitive region of skin that is highly responsive to external and internal stressors in the body. Under-eye bags can often be one of the first indicators of poor quality and insufficient quantity of sleep. Letβs take a closer look at how to address under-eye bags through skin care techniques and improved sleeping habits for the long term.
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What are Under-Eye Bags?
WithinΒ the very thin and delicate skin around your eyes are nets of tiny capillaries that bring blood to the skin. These blood vessels exist all around the body but are most visible around the thinnest areas, including the under-eye region and the lips.Β 1When these capillaries are broken or irritated, the skin under the eyes will noticeably darken. In conjunction, this thin layer of skin also has a weaker skin barrier, making it more susceptible to accelerated aging, sagging, and eye puffiness .Β 1
What causes bags under eyes?
While it is easy to lay blame on sleep entirely for causing under-eye bags, many different factors contribute to their formation.
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Lifestyle habits: Both inadequate and excessive sleep can lead to dark circles or puffy eyelids, casting shadows under the eyes. Dehydration, prolonged screen usage, stress
, and substance use are lifestyle factors that can contribute to the development of dark circles.3 Adequate sleep allows the body to undergo essential repair processes, including the renewal of skin cells and the production of collagen.4
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Rubbing the eyes:
When the delicate skin under the eyes is subjected to rubbing or scratching, it can lead to the tearing of small blood vessels, resulting in a dark and puffy appearance.5
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Genetics: A familial predisposition to dark undereye circles, known as periorbital hyperpigmentation
, can be inherited. Beyond genetic factors, individuals with darker skin tones are more prone to having dark circles.3,5
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Sun exposure:
UV rays account for up to 80-90% of skin aging.6Specifically, sun exposure can trigger hyperpigmentation in the skin that gives it a darker tone. The skin around the eyes is particularly vulnerable to sun exposure, given its thin nature.
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Age:
As individuals age, the skin undergoes changes, losing its elasticity and making blood vessels more noticeable. The natural aging process involves a reduction in fat and collagen content, causing the skin to appear less full and plump and shadows to form around the eyes.3
Why does lack of sleep cause bags under eyes?
Lack of sleep disrupts the natural process of blood vessel constriction. This leaves the blood vessels around the eyes dilated, increasing the amount of blood in the area and causing discoloration.7 This also explains why your eyes get red when you are tired or sleep-deprived. The dilated blood vessels also pool fluid under the eyes, causing puffy skin .8
Many people also habitually rub their eyes when they are short on sleep which can tear the capillaries underneath and further darken the region .5
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How do I get rid of dark circles and eye bags under my eyes?
Luckily, dark circles around your eyes are not permanent, and treating your skin with a little TLC can have an enormous impact on eye bags in addition to general health benefits.
How to improve the appearance of eye bags?
Here are some lifestyle changes you can integrate to improve the appearance of eye bags.
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Sunscreen application: Regular use of a mineral-based facial sunscreen
is effective in preventing additional UV damage to the skin and mitigating the visible effects associated with sun exposure that can worsen eye bags. 6 Read more about why the OneSkin sunscreen might be the perfect fithereto learn more about discover why our new spf outperforms the rest!
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Cold compress:
Placing a cold compress on the eyes can alleviate swollen eyes and constrict dilated blood vessels under the eyes, contributing to a reduction in the appearance of under-eye circles. 9
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Increasing pillow support:
Elevating the head while sleeping can reduce fluid retention around the eyes, consequently minimizing the prominence of dark circles.9,10
Do eye bags go away with sleep?
Your sleep patterns, or lack thereof, can have serious impacts on your overall health and the appearance of under-eye bags. Make sure to consistently sleep at least 7-9 hours per night to minimize the effects on your skin.
In addition to the amount of sleep, the quality of your sleep has an equal effect on your overall skin health
.Β 11 Establishing a consistent sleep routine, where you go to bed and wake up at the same time can help improve your quality of sleep. Keep your bedroom cool and dark with minimal distractions that can keep you up late or wake you up in the middle of your rest. By prioritizing your sleep, you can minimize under-eye bags and improve your overall skin health. To gain a deeper understanding of how your under-eye area is impacted, dive into our article discussing the effects of poor sleep on skin health and overall well-being.
Key Takeaways:
- Under-eye bags can be early indicators of poor sleep quality, insufficient sleep quantity, and reflect the sensitivity of the under-eye skin to both external and internal stressors.
- While sleep plays a role, various factors contribute to under-eye bags, including lifestyle habits such as inadequate or excessive sleep, dehydration, prolonged screen usage, stress, substance use, and genetic predispositions.
- Rubbing or scratching the delicate skin under the eyes can tear small blood vessels, leading to dark eye circles and puffiness. This highlights the importance of gentle care for the under-eye region.
- Sleep deprivation disrupts the natural constriction flow of blood, leading to dilation, increased blood flow in the eye area, and discoloration. This process often results in pooling fluid under the eyes, causing eye puffiness.
- Dark circles are not permanent, and skin care can significantly impact eye bags. Lifestyle changes, including sunscreen application, cold compress, and increased pillow support, can improve their appearance.
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