10 Things that can cause under-eye bags and circles
What causes bags under the eyes? While weariness is a common cause of under-eye dark circles, there may be more serious underlying causes.
You may camouflage under-eye bags and circles using cucumber slices and cold tea bags, as well as concealing them with cosmetics, but this is just a temporary fix.
The dark circles are caused by the blood vessels that lie just below the skin showing through and, puffy eyes are caused by an accumulation of fluid beneath the eyes.
So, if you have ever wondered what actually causes these things to happen, read on, and you will find ten things that can cause under-eye bags and circles.
1. Sorry, but it could just be your age
As you get older, the skin loses some of its ability to regenerate and its elasticity. Dark circles under the eyes are the result of the light reflecting the color of the blood vessels that are visible under the thin skin under the eyes and, when you get older, the skin can become even thinner, which is why you often see elderly people with dark circles under their eyes.
2. It could be in your genes
Dark circles can also be caused by your genetic makeup, and it is often common in people with darker skin. This results from periorbital hyperpigmentation, which is a condition where more skin pigment, melanin, is produced in the skin beneath the eyes. Unfortunately, it is a condition that can be quite severe but is almost impossible to treat.
3. Food allergies
While not everyone with a food allergy will suffer from puffy eyes and dark circles, it can be one of the symptoms. If unbeknown to you, you do suffer from a previously undetected food allergy, then an allergy could be putting a strain on your liver, dark circles under the eyes are a symptom of this condition.
4. What causes bags under the eyes? Overeating salt
Puffiness under the eyes could simply be the result of your having too much salt in your diet. When you get puffy eyes, the result of an accumulation of fluid under the skin, and too much salt in your diet will cause fluid retention, which will show under the eyes.
5. Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep can indeed make dark circles under the eyes more pronounced. This is simply because, when you haven’t had enough sleep, your skin can look pale, and that will allow the color of the blood underneath the skin under the eyes to show through more efficiently.
6. Toxins in the body
What causes bags under the eyes? Dark circles under the eyes can also signify that toxins are not being appropriately expelled by your body. This could be an indication that you require a full-body detox or, at the least, be re-thinking your lifestyle and your diet.
7. Kidney dysfunction
Puffy eyes can be the result of kidney problems, but there will usually be other associated symptoms. Kidney problems will usually lead to a general puffiness around the eyes and not just underneath the eyes.
It would also usually be accompanied by swollen fingers or ankles. If you suspect that you have issues with your kidneys, then you seek the advice of a doctor and don’t try and treat the symptoms yourself by taking diuretics.
8. It may just be apparent in the mornings
It is worth mentioning that puffy eyes and dark circles will naturally be more apparent in the mornings, and you may just have to give it an hour or so to wear off. When you are sleeping, fluids and blood pool under your eyes, but this will disperse of its own accord once you are standing upright again.
9. Excessive rubbing of the eyes
If you scratch your eyes a lot or rub them hard, that can cause dark circles to appear. Harsh treatment of the thin skin under your eyes can cause the blood vessels to dilate or rupture, and that will create the same effect as a bruise under your eyes.
10. Dermatitis
More often than not, puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes are a harmless annoyance. Sometimes, if it is accompanied by an itchy rash or flaking skin, then it could be a sign of dermatitis. Generally, though, unless it is unusual for you to have dark circles under your eyes if you see a doctor, it is most likely hereditary, so you can blame your ancestors!
Such important factors as a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, regular exercise, plenty of sleep, and daily hydration (by drinking plain water) can significantly improve under-eye bags and circles, and luckily makeup exists too!
What causes bags under the eyes?
Stay beautiful!