Sleep is a commodity that many working mothers can only dream of because they have so much to do. Unfortunately, lack of sleep means visible dark circles that we struggle to hide or at least improve. But is the lack of sleep the only culprit in this battle against having a tired appearance? Recent studies show that sleep isn’t the only thing to blame for dark circles.
The skin around your eyelid is called periorbital skin. Dark circles or periorbital dark circles under your eyes are a result of the thin layer of skin below your eyes showing blood vessels and the blood they contain more clearly than anywhere else on your body.
What are the causes?
When the body is tired, production of the chemical cortisol is dramatically increased to help give you the energy you need to stay awake. Among many other things, cortisol actually increases the volume of blood in your body, which causes blood vessels to engorge in order to accommodate the higher volume. When these blood vessels are engorged, they are easier to see, even on people that have thicker skin below their eyes.
Other causes
- Heredity- some people are born with thinner skin below the eyes which gives an appearance of constant dark circlesOld age
- Periorbital hyperpigmentation- a condition that results in more melanin being produced by the skin below the eyes, resulting in it appearing to be a darker color.
- Oxidization- blood vessels around your eyes could get damaged, blood leaks out of the vessels, resulting in puffy dark circles under eyes.
- Food Allergies- One of the potential side effects of having a food allergy can be overall puffiness. In some people that include the whole face and even under the eyes.
- Diet high in salt
- Iron and B12- People with low iron levels have been reported to suffer from under eye circles.
- Thyroid- Low thyroid levels may result in puffiness.
- Eczema
- Sun exposure, which prompts your body to produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
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Some Common solutions:
Detoxify
Many people tend to consume the same foods with little variety. One of the key signs of food allergies is an overall sensation of puffiness and increased water retention or dark circles under the eyes. If you suspect food allergies check with your doctor and remove the most commonly allergenic foods, (i.e. sugar, dairy, yeast, peanuts, corn, soy..) from your diet for a two-week time period. After two weeks you can begin to add in one food item per day to test your reaction to it. If symptoms return, you know that particular food should be excluded from your daily diet.
Many people tend to consume the same foods with little variety. One of the key signs of food allergies is an overall sensation of puffiness and increased water retention or dark circles under the eyes. If you suspect food allergies check with your doctor and remove the most commonly allergenic foods, (i.e. sugar, dairy, yeast, peanuts, corn, soy..) from your diet for a two-week time period. After two weeks you can begin to add in one food item per day to test your reaction to it. If symptoms return, you know that particular food should be excluded from your daily diet.
Keep good sleeping habits
Lack of sleep can really affect your body’s ability to function properly and overall facial appearance. During sleep, tissue fluid is drawn from our blood and enters our body tissues. As we start our morning activities, the tissue fluid is squeezed back into lymphatic vessels and into our blood circulation. When we don’t sleep enough, this process is stunted and fluid is stuck in the tissues and your face appears puffy.
Lack of sleep can really affect your body’s ability to function properly and overall facial appearance. During sleep, tissue fluid is drawn from our blood and enters our body tissues. As we start our morning activities, the tissue fluid is squeezed back into lymphatic vessels and into our blood circulation. When we don’t sleep enough, this process is stunted and fluid is stuck in the tissues and your face appears puffy.
Check your thyroid
If you have puffy eyes and also experience lack of concentration, stubborn weight loss, hair loss and fatigue, you may want to check your thyroid. Patients with low thyroid levels often have puffy periorbital area.
If you have puffy eyes and also experience lack of concentration, stubborn weight loss, hair loss and fatigue, you may want to check your thyroid. Patients with low thyroid levels often have puffy periorbital area.
Iron and B12 status
Your B12 should measure 600 or above to be considered optimal, while the optimal ferritin (iron) level should be over 70. If your levels are below these amounts, your doctor may prescribe supplements and suggest to also take vitamin C which helps with the absorption of iron.
Your B12 should measure 600 or above to be considered optimal, while the optimal ferritin (iron) level should be over 70. If your levels are below these amounts, your doctor may prescribe supplements and suggest to also take vitamin C which helps with the absorption of iron.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps with blood coagulation and circulation. Since poor circulation can increase the appearance of dark circles, consuming enough foods high in vitamin k such as liver, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and strawberries, may lighten the circles under your eyes. Many eye creams also contain vitamin K and vitamin A for this reason.
Vitamin K helps with blood coagulation and circulation. Since poor circulation can increase the appearance of dark circles, consuming enough foods high in vitamin k such as liver, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and strawberries, may lighten the circles under your eyes. Many eye creams also contain vitamin K and vitamin A for this reason.
Common Home Remedies For Dark Circles
- Try a cold compress, two chilled teaspoons or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a soft cloth to temporarily reduce dilated and discolored under-eye blood vessels.
- Elevate your head with two or more pillows to prevent puffiness that develops when fluid pools in your lower eyelids.
- Cucumbers have a subtle, mild skin lightening effect, which is why placing cucumber slices on the eyes is used to diminish dark circles.
Dark circles may be a sign of inadequate sleep, however, persistent dark circles may warrant a visit to your doctor in order to rule out other possible health concerns.