It is common to believe that dark circles under your eyes are just something you’re born with or a normal part of getting older. In some cases, that may be true, but your daily habits and lifestyle choices play a bigger role than you might have originally believed. Many talk to an oculoplastic surgeon when dark circles become a persistent concern. It is not uncommon for professionals to suggest lifestyle changes as treatment for this common cosmetic concern. Some people do inherit a tendency to have darker under-eye areas, but the factors that have the most impact aren’t genetics; it is due to things you do every day without even thinking about it. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your whole body; this makes discoloration more prominent than anywhere else. Simple modifications to your sleep, diet, water intake, and stress management can determine the severity of your dark circles. When you recognize these connections, you can take control of your dark circles instead of just accepting that they are permanent.

Sleep

Everyone knows that not getting adequate sleep contributes to dark circles, but it doesn’t just depend on the number of hours. The quality of your sleep is just as important as how long you sleep. When you don’t get restful sleep, your blood doesn’t flow as well. This is especially true for the thin skin under your eyes. Your sleep schedule contributes as well. Going to bed and waking up at different times interrupts your body’s natural rhythms. This can affect hormone levels and blood flow, making dark circles more noticeable even when you get enough sleep.

Diet

Your diet plays a significant role in your skin’s health and the appearance of dark circles. High-salt diets can cause your body to retain water, which can make the under-eye area look puffy and darker. Fast food, processed snacks, and restaurant meals often contain higher levels of salt. Not consuming enough water makes dark circles worse, too. When you’re dehydrated, your skin gets thinner, and blood vessels show through more easily. Under your eyes is the first place this becomes obvious.

Eye Strain and Screen Time

Staring at phones, computers, tablets, and TVs for hours strains your eyes and affects the surrounding skin. When you focus on screens, you blink less often, which can make your eyes feel dry and tired. Blue light from screens can disrupt your sleep patterns even when you aren’t looking at them right before bed. Poor sleep quality from excessive screen time creates a cycle in which dark circles progressively worsen.

Environmental Factors

Air pollution and cigarette smoke can irritate the eye area and contribute to dark circles. Allergies can make this issue worse by causing inflammation and prompting you to rub your eyes. The constant itching and watery eyes also damage the delicate skin, worsening discoloration.

Sun Exposure and Skin Damage

Too much sun can damage the thin skin under your eyes, making dark circles a permanent feature. UV rays are harsh on the skin, making it thinner and less effective at hiding blood vessels beneath. The eye area needs protection from the sun just like the rest of your face, but it is often overlooked.

Reducing Your Dark Circles

Your daily choices affect dark circles. This means, with a few modifications, you have the power to improve them. Small modifications in sleep habits, diet, stress management, and skin protection can significantly reduce the appearance of dark circles. The key is in consistency. With healthy habits and a little knowledge, you can improve your dark circles. It takes some time, but if you stick it out, you’ll be glad you did.

Want to reduce the look of dark circles but don’t know where to start? Schedule a consult today.