How Do Dark Circles Form Under the Eyes?

Natural Aging Process

Dark circles under the eyes, sometimes known as "eye bags," are a common sign of old age. At some point, everyone experiences them. However, some factors can hasten the process, as well as cause more severe cases. Underneath your eyes are storages of fat. This fat is held in place by ligaments. As we grow older, our ligaments loosen throughout our body. This includes the ligaments beneath the eyes. This, mixed with less elasticity of the skin, can cause bags to appear under the eyes.

Sinus Condition

Other factors can worsen the looks of dark circles under the eyes. Some may even cause the circles to appear at an earlier age. One of these factors is sinus problems. A chronic sinus condition causes the areas around your eyes to continuously swell and deflate. Each time this happens, the skin surrounding your sinuses starts to loose elasticity. As the elasticity loosens around the eye, the bags and dark circles begin to form.

Genetics

The darkness of the circles under your eyes quite often comes from genetics. If your family has a history of dark circles forming under their eyes you will be more likely to have those circles as well.

Excess Sun

Too much time in the sun may also contribute to the dark circles. Sunlight can cause hyperpigmentation under the eyes. In other words, as the sun interacts with the natural pigmentation in your skin, the rays can actually darken the color of skin underneath the eyes.

Treatment

There is no fool-proof form of prevention or treatment of eye bags. However, certain health regimens can help reduce the swelling and darkness of baggy circles under the eyes. Cold treatments such as iced spoons and frozen tea bags may help reduce swelling. To tighten skin, Preparation H is also a popular option to help reduce the bags' appearance. For a drastic, longer fix, a surgical eye lift can help relieve eye bags and circles under the eyes for up to 20 years.

Resources

• Additional Resources on Eye Bags