Perhaps the baby kept you up all night. Probably not the best idea to mix cocktails and french fries at happy hour. Maybe genetics is to blame. We’ve all been surprised by a bathroom mirror in the morning that reveals dark circles under our eyes.
Does your hair look like you won a haggard chic beauty contest? Several factors can cause your dark circles including skin composition, pigment, and melanin. Fat pads (aka eye bags) can be herniated or hollowed out by thin skin, hyperpigmentation, or hollow tear troughs.
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Don’t Rub Your Eyes.
One reason to be careful how you remove your makeup is to avoid rubbing your eyes too hard. Frequently rubbing your eyes can exacerbate allergies and dry eyes. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, says that rubbing triggers melanin production, resulting in dark blotches under the skin.
Circles can get worse for a variety of reasons. Too much salt and alcohol, insufficient sleep, and smoking can worsen them. Lastly, we are not getting any younger, and aging exacerbates dark circles.
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Remedies That Can Help
Treatment is possible, at least temporarily. A cold compress on your eyes is one of the best home remedies. A dermatologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Jeannette Graf, said the compresses reduce puffiness by constricting blood vessels. You can steep and chill black or green tea bags or cucumber slices to cool you down. Alternatively, when your dark circles are rough, cosmetics can help.
Dermatologist DiAnne Davis said that makeup or concealers could be a quick fix for pigment deposition undereye circles. In the long run, you should limit salt and alcohol consumption, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated. Consider placing a second pillow to elevate your head while sleeping.