The appearance of under-eye dark circles and puffy eyelids may overwhelm you. For some people, dark circles, like blonde hair, come as part of a genetic package, while for others, these symptoms appear and fade in relation to everyday activities. The causes of dark circles and bags vary, but mostly they are due to blood vessel coloring in relation to skin pigmentation, under-eye fluid retention and age.
Heredity
Many individuals who have dark circles under their eyes inherit them from family members who also have dark circles. In fact, several different genetic factors contribute to the likelihood of the appearance of dark circles. For example, as the skin of the lower eyelid becomes thinner and more see-through, the blood vessels beneath the eyelid surface become more prominent, providing the dark bluish coloring of dark circles. Also, certain individuals’ skin cells produce more melanin when exposed to the sun, creating the appearance of dark circles in relation to tanning.
Genetics plays less of a role in causing baggy eyes. One way it may enhance the appearance of bags is by exaggerating the elasticity of skin cells. The more loose your skin appears, the more likely you are to gather fluids and fats, which weigh down your lower eyelids as “bags.”
Fluid Retention
While you sleep, especially if you lie flat on your back, fluids gather beneath your lower eyelid, creating the puffiness associated with bags. This can be heightened by certain previous-day activities such as eating salty foods, which enhances the water-retaining properties of cells, and drinking too many liquids prior to sleeping, according to research reported by the Mayo Clinic. Fortunately, Dr. Mary Stefanyszyn, an associate surgeon at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, says fluid retention and eye puffiness will diminish as the body begins absorbing excess liquids during the first few hours of waking up.
Aging
As you get older, the skin beneath your lower eyelid loses collagen, fat and its general elasticity. As a result, the thinning of the eyelid amplifies the darkening of the underlying blood vessels. Also, the looseness of the skin promotes the sagginess that causes baggy-looking eyelids. In fact, DarkCircles.net says any fat or fluids collected beneath the lower eyelid may bulge out as your skin begins to thin and sag with age.
Medical Issues
Allergies can cause puffiness as your eyes water up in reaction to a harmful stimulus such as a poisonous plant, animal fur, pollen or dust. In addition, hormonal changes during menstruation can increase fluid retention. As for dark circles, weight loss due to a medical condition or eating disorder can contribute to the thinning of the eyelids, enhancing the darkness of the blood vessels. Furthermore, any prevention of blood flow, including a clogged nose or reduction in blood circulation, may boost fluid retention and enlarge the underlying blood vessels, causing both bags and dark circles, respectively.
About this Author
Sky Smith has been writing on psychology, electronics, health, and fitness since 2002. He graduated from the University of Florida with honors in 2005, earning a B.S. in psychology and statistics with a minor in math. He writes articles for LIVESTRONG and eHow.
