Under-eye circles and bags can be really annoying and tough to hide. But, beyond just looking bad, they might signal deeper health problems.
Most of the time, under-eye bags or dark spots are just signs of temporary issues like not getting enough sleep or natural things like aging. However, if these problems get worse or stick around for a long time, it could mean something more serious is going on. Before we dive into that, let’s look at the causes so you can stop worrying unnecessarily.
Thin Skin and Blood Vessels
The thinner your skin is, the more blood vessels underneath will show through. The delicate skin under your eyes is called the periorbital area; it lets blue or violet light pass through.
What happens? The veins beneath your skin look blue and “dark.” As you get older, collagen and elasticity in your skin decrease which makes those blood vessels easier to see. But don’t worry – this bluish tint is only a cosmetic issue and isn’t something to stress about.
Under Eye Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation has many reasons unlike thin skin & visible blood vessels. It can happen suddenly or develop over time. Common causes include:
– Sun exposure
– Genetic factors
– Allergic reactions
– Swelling (edema)
– Hormonal changes
– Aging
This hyperpigmentation might be caused by oxidized blood leaking from nearby blood vessels around your eyes. How do you know if this is happening? If dark spots under your eyes come with swelling (edema), then that’s likely what’s going on! Luckily, this condition isn’t harmful to health & can often be improved with diet changes & lifestyle adjustments.
Under Eye Bags
Swelling under the eyes—often called bags—is common for everyone! When you’re younger these bags usually come from allergies or illness but as you age gravity affects collagen in that thin skin making it saggy while fat builds up there too.
We often blame lack of sleep for bigger bags under our eyes but there isn’t solid scientific proof linking them directly together! Sure lack of rest may make puffiness worse especially in the morning but it’s not necessarily causing it directly!
Under Eyes: Warning Signs of Health Issues
Even though under-eye problems are mostly cosmetic they could also hint at internal health concerns! Your under-eyes might be one of few outside signs showing what’s happening inside! If discoloration or puffiness sticks around longer than usual it’s smart to visit a doctor just in case one of these issues needs attention:
Poor Circulation
As mentioned earlier dark circles & bags could point towards various health issues but poor circulation could definitely be one reason! To check if slow blood flow is an issue gently press on that area; if it looks lighter when you lift your finger then slowly gets darker again after a moment that’s likely due to circulation!
Food Intolerances
According to Mayo Clinic dark circles may pop up because of allergic reactions to certain foods like dairy or preservatives! If you’ve been struggling with those dark spots maybe some common allergy-inducing foods are behind them!
Iron Deficiency
Dark circles alone don’t mean iron deficiency (anemia) but if you’re feeling tired often getting sick frequently along with those circles then it’s wise to check iron levels through a complete blood count test! Low iron affects how well oxygen gets carried throughout body cells leading ultimately back again towards those pesky discolorations!
