8 Reasons We Get Bags Under Our Eyes

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

If people are always telling you that you look tired when you have had a full night’s sleep, or suggest that you should try wearing makeup, and you already have some on, you may be the recipient of bags under your eyes. Everyone gets them sometime, but if you find yourself constantly reaching for the concealer, you may want to find out what the underlying problem is. Here are 8 reasons you may have bags under your eyes.

 

1. Allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may find out that your baggy eyes are a result of leaky capillaries. The histamines that are released from the allergens result in swollen blood vessels around your eyes. If it is allergies that are causing the bags, you may also find that your eyes are also watery, your nose may be stuffy, and you may suffer from a headache that reaches from your cheeks to your eyebrows. In addition to the allergies themselves, the itchy feeling may cause you to constantly rub your eyes which also contributes to bags under your eyes.

 

2. Too much sun

If you spend too much time out in the sun trying to get a tan, you will find that your skin is becoming thin and damaged from the exposure. Thin skin will only make the bags easier to see.

 

3. Retaining fluids

If you have a tendency to retain fluids, you may find that on days you consume too much salt the bags under your eyes are even more pronounced. Cutting down on sodium and salty foods should help cut down on the appearance of bags under your eyes right away. If you regularly drink a lot of alcohol you will become more dehydrated. When you replenish your fluid level you will find the bags deepen because the skin under your eyes is trying to build itself back up again.

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Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

4. Lack of sleep

This is a bit of a Goldilocks situation: Not getting enough sleep will leave you with bags under your eyes but so will sleeping too much. Find the right number of hours to sleep that will make you feel rested and at your best so when you wake and you won’t have to endure deep dark bags under your eyes.

 

5. Getting older

As if getting older doesn’t bring enough uncomfortable changes, as you age the ligaments and muscles under your eyes are unable to properly hold the fat deposits under your eyes. Instead, they will begin to shift and you will develop puffy eyes and oftentimes fat will accumulate on your eyelids. In addition, the elastin and collagen levels begin to break down as you get older and that increases your chances of developing baggy eyes.

 

6. Losing weight too quickly

If you are overweight dropping a few pounds is usually a good thing. Dropping weight too fast could make you lose the nice lines you have in your face and make you appear to have a hollow appearance. This will also showcase newly developed bags under your eyes. Don’t be afraid to put a couple of pounds back on just to fill out your face so you can lose those bags.

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Stress - business person stressed at office. Business woman hold

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7. Stress

Stress is the cause of many illnesses and diseases and you can add bags under your eyes to the list.  When you are stressed out, you tend to tighten up your body and ultimately the blood vessels around your eyes are going to become constricted. When this happens the blood flow is going to become affected and you will be surprised at how quickly your eyes display deep dark circles.

 

8. Genetics

The main reason people have bags under their eyes is due to heredity. If your mom and dad have them chances are you will too. If you are having a hard time living with your bags you might want to consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who may be able to provide you with a permanent solution. Make sure to check the results they have achieved with other patients. Instead of the costs involved with a permanent solution, you could probably find a dependable concealer that could help you on a day-to-day basis.

 

READ ALSO: Keep Your Eyes Healthy In The Workplace Infographic

 

Things you can do to get rid of those bags under your eyes

If you have bags under your eyes and it is not genetic, there are some things you can do to try to get rid of them.

  • For temporary relief try putting cold slices of cucumber or chilled tea bags on your eyes, lay down and relax. You can also put a couple of spoons in ice water or the freezer and apply them to your eyes if you don’t have any cucumbers handy.
  • Look into taking a collagen supplement. Increasing your collagen levels will help take away your bags and cut down on the aging of your skin.
  • Stop adding salt to your foods and eliminate processed foods that have a high amount of salt such as chips, soups, certain olives, and high sodium protein including ham, bacon, and tuna.
  • If you smoke, start working on quitting. Smoking cuts down on your circulation and constricts the capillaries around your eyes as well as in other areas of your body.
  • Check to see if you have any allergies. With a simple diagnosis and the proper medication, you may be able to see what you thought were genetic bags under your eyes disappear.
  • Take your eye makeup off each night before you go to bed. This will alleviate any additional irritants getting into your eyes and causing any puffiness.
  • Check into the many concealers on the market that can easily remove the look of dark circles and puffiness in an instant. Check to see the customer reviews to find out what really works and what doesn’t.
  • Get a good night’s sleep and try adding an extra pillow to elevate your head so that it is a little higher than normal.

References:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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