A little advice about dark circles

[mudrostz]

Hello there,

I have recently gone to see my doctor about dark circles/bags that are on my face. They are sunken in and very very purple. My doctor just dismissed me immediately without asking me any questions about my lifestyle, habits, onset etc. She said that I have them because that is the way my face grew out (ie: having thin skin around the eyes).

However, I am unsure if I believe this as I know there are potentially other factors involved. I get around 8 hours sleep (although sometimes I feel like I overslept), drink enough water, have a decent diet). I was worried that there might be something medically wrong?

I am a person who used to stay up late (before bags became permanent). I've had this condition for the past 2 years. I remember I would only have this condition if I stayed up late/didn't sleep enough. At some point I remember sleeping 8-8 and a half hours and within a few days the bags cleared up. Eventually I stayed up late again and under slept developing the bags again. Then one day (a month or so later) I decided to go to bed on time. I would sleep 8 hours every night and since that day the dark circles have never cleared up. If anyone has any information on why I may have developed these bags, I would appreciate it if you could help me.

I am positive the condition is not hereditary. I also notice that when I sleep for maybe 5-6 hours the dark circles are more bluish-pinkish instead of being that harsh dark purple colour. I'm not sure then if sleeping 8 hours is too much possibly? Before, I would sleep an average of 7 hours or so and I had dark circles/discoloration that were not as bad as in the last two years.

I think my doctor said that the bags are normal because under my eyes the area is slightly sunken in (making the veins etc more visible). However, my eye area is only sunken in like that when I don't get enough sleep. But after constantly sleeping 8 hours, the skin shouldn't be like this.

If anyone has any info which could benefit me, please tell me. Thank you for any and all replies! Much appreciated!

[uttoransen]

usually on cases like this the general advice is to drink plenty of water, eat foods rich in fiber/anti-oxidants and other stuff... read less books specially no sleep reading, that's the worst posture to read a book, less television watching etc. From your first post, it looks like you are already maintaining good healthy lifestyle, so that narrows the scope of giving suggestions actually :(

firstly, let us know if you have any other condition like depression/high pressure/thyroid/diabetics... next, also perhaps sometimes less exercise can cause these things, so are you working out enough, i mean at least walking/running...

looking foreword to your reply,

[y34963]

I don't think lack of exercise or the position you sleep at night is the cause of your dark circles. Lack of sleep may make them worse if your are prone to them but I don't believe it is the main cause. Exercise may help you sleep more but many of us do not need 8 hours sleep a night. Eating antioxidant rich foods such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are very good for your skin I am not sure it will get rid of your dark circles but eating them certainly would not hurt that's for sure and it is extremely healthy for you as well.

Dark cicles can be hereditary and I believe this is what your doctor was trying to tell you in his/her own way. There are many products on the market that can help get rid of or deminish them though. Xtend life make a nice serum you may find helpful but there are others on the market too. Vitamin K is well know to reduce dark circles.

With regard to puffiness, try putting slices of raw potatoes or cucumbers on your eyes for about 10 minutes every morning after your shower. Just give yourself enough time to lay down and relax before putting on your moisturizer for your face and eyes. You will notice a great improvement. Also, Garnier makes a nice roller for puffiness and dark circles you may find helpful.

[y34963]

Oh yes, it may appear at any time. Just because it may be hereditary doesn't mean you will have something from birth or at an early age. In your case your dark circles may not be hereditary but you never know as we are a combination of two families.

My advice to you is to find a product, that will work for you for your dark circles. I mentioned Garnier roller (which works for both puffiness and dark circles), Clinique makes a good one, and there are numerous others on the market. You will have to find one that works for you as we are all different and what works for someone else may not work for you.

Try to get a good rest every night and drink lots of water, at least 8 glasses a day which will keep you hydrated and may help with the puffiness as well.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[sampath]

I read that keeping tomatos on the dark circle of the eyes helps to get rid of it. I haven't tomatoes tried it as yet, but I am sure it works.