Dark circles under the eyes in the morning are often caused by an accumulation of lymphatic and blood fluid in the area under the eyes during the night, due to the lying position and gravity, as well as possible dilation of blood vessels.
At night, your body slows down its activity a bit. As a result, your lymphatic system also operates at a slower pace. This means that the fluids naturally present under the skin near your eyes accumulate more easily. They get trapped there rather than being properly drained, causing that infamous swelling of the lower eyelids and visible dark circles when you look in the mirror after waking up. This phenomenon is further exacerbated when you sleep on your stomach or on your side, as gravity helps these fluids to stagnate even more around your eyes for several hours.
While you sleep, your body slows down, and so does your blood circulation. This decrease in circulation causes blood to slightly accumulate in the small vessels under your eyes. The result: a dark coloration appears just beneath your skin, creating the famous "dark circles" effect. Since the skin around the eyes is very thin, these congested vessels become easily visible, giving a tired look upon waking. This phenomenon is even stronger if you sleep for a long time on your stomach or on your side, as gravity enhances the accumulation of blood.
When you don’t get enough sleep, the body secretes more cortisol, a stress hormone that dilates the blood vessels around the eyes. The result: more pronounced and darker dark circles upon waking. Lack of sleep also makes the skin paler, accentuating the shadows under your eyes. The less you sleep, the less time your skin has to regenerate; it then becomes thinner and more fragile, making the dark circles appear even more clearly. In short, a short night is often enough to give you that lovely tired look in the morning for free.
What we eat and the amount of water we drink greatly influence the appearance of our eyes in the morning. For example, eating too much salt at dinner causes our bodies to retain water, particularly around the eyes, resulting in those famous puffiness. Similarly, if we don't drink enough, we can easily become dehydrated at night, which makes the skin under the eyes thinner and accentuates dark circles. Alcohol and coffee also play a part: they deeply dehydrate, leaving the eyes looking darker and more tired upon waking.
Some people naturally have more visible dark circles due to their heredity. Yes, if your parents have them, you are more likely to have them too, as the thickness and pigmentation of the skin under the eyes are genetically inherited traits. With age, the skin gradually loses collagen and elasticity, becoming thinner and revealing more of the underlying blood vessels. As a result, the dark coloration around the eyes becomes even more pronounced over time, even without sleeping less than before.
The skin around the eyes is about four times thinner than the skin on the rest of the face, making it particularly sensitive and vulnerable to the appearance of dark circles.
Green tea has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Applying cooled green tea bags under your eyes for 10 minutes can visibly reduce puffiness and dark circles.
Consuming foods rich in vitamin K, such as spinach or broccoli, can help strengthen capillary walls and thus reduce the appearance of pronounced dark circles.
Sleeping with your head slightly elevated helps reduce fluid retention under the eyes, thereby minimizing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness in the morning.
In general, the dark circles observed upon waking are harmless and simply result from a temporary accumulation of fluids or a decrease in blood circulation during sleep. However, if the dark circles are persistent and accompanied by other symptoms (irritation, unusual swelling, or pain), it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
Yes, allergies can cause or exacerbate dark circles. Nasal congestion caused by allergic reactions leads to the dilation of blood vessels under the eyes, resulting in a dark, shadowy appearance. If your dark circles are accompanied by itching or frequent nasal discharge, consider consulting an allergist.
To reduce dark circles, focus on a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins (notably vitamins C and K), and minerals. Foods such as citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, berries, and almonds can improve blood circulation and strengthen the elasticity of the skin under your eyes.
Yes, several natural remedies can help reduce dark circles: applying cold compresses (such as chilled tea bags), placing sliced cucumber under the eyes, or using aloe vera to hydrate and refresh the skin can often temporarily diminish the appearance of dark circles.
With age, the skin becomes thinner and gradually loses collagen and elasticity, making the blood vessels under the skin more visible. This natural phenomenon partly explains why dark circles become more frequent and noticeable as we age.
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