Under-eye Bags Weighing you Down?

Consistently waking up with bags under eyes or dark circles can be infuriating. Especially if you’ve had enough sleep the night before. There are many reasons why people get dark circles or bags under their eyes. It could simply be in your genes or it could be your lifestyle, but don’t be discouraged; there are ways to help diminish the appearance of dark circles and bags under eyes.

Bags Under Eyes? Common Reasons:

Allergies

When allergy season hits, usually spring and summer, and sometimes fall, for those who suffer, it can be a nightmare. Allergies can cause side effects such as puffy eyes and dark circles. If you are one of the many who suffer from seasonal allergies, try to pinpoint the allergens you are sensitive to. Then you’ll be able to figure out which things to avoid and which medications may work best for you. Antihistamines help a lot of people, but they don’t always work. Some dermatologists recommend a cortisone cream a few times a week in conjunction with your regular eye cream. This combination can help reduce under-eye puffiness. But most of all, avoid scratching and rubbing eyes when you have allergies. Doing so can cause trauma to the skin, resulting in even larger or heavier bags.

Lack of Sleep

It can be hard to make sure you get enough sleep every night, but it’s very important. Set a deadline for yourself to ensure you’re in bed by a certain time each night. Getting less than 8 hours of sleep a night can increase the swelling and puffiness and cause the blood vessels to expand, which creates a dark tint around your eyes.

Remedies

Eye Creams

Morning and night, eye creams help in the fight…. against dark bags under eyes, that is. The skin under your eyes is much more sensitive than the rest of your body. Because of this, you’ll need to give that area a little extra TLC. Eye brightening creams will brighten, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. After washing your face with a gentle cleanser, dab a little under your eyes, and you’ll look much more awake than normal. It is equally important to cleanse your face before bed and apply an eye cream specifically intended for nighttime use. These creams, in particular, should contain retinol. Most of the time, they will plump and hydrate the skin. If you store your eye cream in the refrigerator, it may also be more powerful in reducing puffiness and boosts circulation under your eyes – plus, the cold feels pretty amazing! Some recommended eye creams that are suggested to use day and night are Olluminate Eye Repair from ZO and TNS Eye Repair from SkinMedica.

Sunscreen

We all now realize that to keep your skin looking healthy, sunscreen is a must – especially here in Colorado! Even when it’s not sunny outside, your skin is still exposed to UV rays. The skin under your eyes is especially sensitive to the sun. Not only that, but a lot of sun exposure can make your body produce more melanin, resulting in darker circles. Therefore, before you apply any makeup, be sure to use at least an SPF 15 on your face, neck and chest. There are many sunscreen options available, but some products we suggest include Total Defense and Repair or Essential Defense from SkinMedica or sunscreens from EltaMD Skincare.

Concealer

A great way to diminish the appearance of those bothersome dark circles is simply to cover them up. With all of the products on the market, it’s very easy to find something that will work wonders for your skin tone. Be sure the color you choose is not too light, as this can actually make your circles stand out even more. A good rule of thumb for choosing the correct shade for your skin, especially under eyes, is to use one – two shades lighter than your regular foundation. We suggest I CONCEAL by Image or some of the sunscreens from SkinMedica and Elta, as mentioned above, which come in tinted versions – a “twofer” for your under-eye dilemma.

Dermal Fillers

Under-eye areas that are common concerns for people consist of tear troughs, bags under eyes and under eye hollows. For many people, dermal filler treatments can help smooth the transition between the lower eyelid and cheeks and provide a safe and effective alternative to surgery. Dermal fillers are cosmetic injections, typically made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally found in the skin. A couple of dermal fillers we tend to use are Restylane and Juvederm, but you will want to schedule a skin evaluation with one of our Denver medical skincare professionals to determine which dermal filler might be right for you.

Cleansing

Lastly, it is highly important that you remove any makeup at the end of each day. If left on overnight, your pores will become clogged and it could lead to acne and other skin issues. When removing makeup, make sure you are extra gentle. The skin under your eyes is super sensitive. If you’re too rough, it may cause inflammation and broken capillaries. When washing your face at night, be sure to use a gentle cleanser. Again, there are many options available, but we recommend cleansers from ZO, SkinMedica and Image.

To understand which products would work best for you and your skin, come in for a FREE Skin Evaluation with one of our Denver Skin Essential Specialists! Call 303-647-1215 to book your appointment!