The eyes are the window to the soul.
They are one of the first things people notice about you.
Bright eyes and good skin health under your eyes can give you a more appealing look.
Unfortunately, some people are faced with the issue of sunken eyes or dark circles.
The appearance of sunken eyes can make you look tired and exhausted, even if you may not be.
Of course, sunken eyes or dark circles are nothing to be embarrassed about or something that should affect your confidence in any way.
However, sometimes they can point toward an underlying issue.
Keep reading to help you better understand dark circles or sunken eyes and the different treatment options that are available to help combat their presence.
What Are Sunken Eyes?
While sunken eyes are not usually a cause of major concern, they are medically known as tear trough deformity or tear trough hollows and can point towards an underlying condition.
While your eyes may not actually sink into your sockets, the delicate skin under your eyes can give your eyes the exact appearance of sunken eyes.
While the formation of dark circles is related to blood vessels appearing far more prominent due to thin skin.
Usually, sunken eyes appear due to normal life changes.
One reason for sunken eyes is aging; as we age, we lose fat, so while you may still have healthy skin, you may look like you have hollowed-out eyes or dark circles.
Additionally, with age, you lose bone density and collagen, which contribute to sunken eyes.
While sunken eyes usually affect the physical appearance of older adults, they can form in the younger population.
When the cause behind sunken eyes is treated, they will easily disappear.
However, if you experience other symptoms, you may need to see a doctor so they can provide medical advice.
What Causes Sunken Eyes?
The best way to get rid of sunken eyes is to get to the root of the cause.
There are many causes of sunken eyes, like sinus infections, not getting enough sleep or reduced collagen production.
1) Sinus Infections
A sinus infection can lead to the formation of sunken eyes as well as other symptoms.
Nasal congestion is one of the many symptoms of sinus infection.
There are other symptoms like inflammation that can affect the delicate skin of the eyes leading to sunken eyes and causing headaches.
The plus side to sinus infection is that it can be treated.
With the treatment of the infection, you can minimize the appearance of sunken eyes; you may even be able to completely get rid of sunken eyes.
2) Poor Quality Sleep
We all know how important good quality sleep is for your overall health, and as it turns out, the phrase beauty sleep has a real history.
When you are not getting enough sleep, it shows on your face.
This can lead to the formation of sunken eyes.
Occasionally you may be getting enough sleep, but it is not good quality sleep.
You may find yourself waking up in the middle of the night or tossing and constantly turning, which may lead to hollow eyes.
3) Genetics
Another one of the many causes of sunken eyes is the genes you inherit from your parents.
The position of your eyes in your eye sockets has a lot to do with your genetics, which can make you look like you have sunken eyes.
Your genes also affect collagen production, which is why some people are more prone to have sagging skin or thin skin in the under-eye area, giving the appearance of dark shadows under your eyes or sunken eyes.
4) Aging
One of the tell-tale signs of aging is the dark appearance under your eyes and the formation of fine lines.
As one grows older, your body becomes slower and tired.
You may notice a lack of fat around your eye socket, leading to sunken eyes.
Additionally, over time, your body can less create collagen, the most abundant protein that is essential for even skin tone, health, and elasticity.
Without it, your eyes take on a sunken look due to the loss of strength under your eyes.
5) Dehydration
One of the main and easily correctable causes of sunken eyes is dehydration.
According to medical science, if you are feeling thirsty, you are already near dehydration. The main reason for dehydration is not drinking water.
When you do lack water in your body, it affects everything from your skin to your blood circulation.
One way that severe dehydration manifests is dry skin, which can cause your lower eyelid to appear dark and your eyes to look sunken.
To prevent sunken eyes, it is best to stay hydrated at all times.
6) Weight Loss
One of the first places on your body that show this is your face when you lose weight.
As we have already pointed out, the fat around your eye area is what gives it a lifted appearance, with dramatic weight loss that may lead to your eyes appearing sunken in.
Additionally, when people lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time, they may turn to a poor diet, leading to an imbalance in nutrition in their body, leading to sunken eyes.
7) Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamins are an essential part of our body.
They are used in various functions in the body, such as in the synthesis of collagen or in boosting our body’s immunity.
A lack of vitamins in your diets like vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K can lead to sunken eyes.
These vitamins are used for the synthesis of collagen, protection from free radicals, and the formation of clotting factors, respectively.
A lack of these vitamins can lead to changes in the skin due to lack of collagen, increased damage from radicals, or changes in blood flow, all of which can lead to sunken eyes.
8) Trauma
Another major factor in the formation of sunken eyes is damage to the eye region.
This trauma can be due to sun exposure or due to a fracture in the orbital region.
Fractures in the eye area can take a few weeks to heal, but you will be free of your sunken eyes once they heal.
While damage from the sun can be avoided through the use of sun protection like sun cream, hats, and sunglasses, proper sun protection prevents damage to collagen from UV rays and reduces the chances of sunken eyes.
Top Tips to Get Rid of Dark Circles & Sunken Eyes
If you have sunken eyes that are bothering you with their presence, you need not worry; there are many ways to combat their appearance and have your eyes looking their best.
There are different ways in which you can approach the treatment of sunken eyes.
You can target the underlying cause, such as poor hydration or sleep, try home remedies or undergo cutaneous and aesthetic surgery.
Home Remedies
There are a number of treatments that you can try at home. These are remedies that are easily accessible and are relatively inexpensive, unlike cosmetic surgery, which can be pricey.
1) Almond oil
There are many oils that are great for your skin, and some are used to increase brightness, others to improve elasticity.
Almond oil is used under the eyes to minimize sunken eyes.
This is possible due to the presence of vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant and combats the effect of free radicals.
2) Cucumber Slices
We have seen a young lady relaxing in bed or poolside with cucumber slices in her eyes in one movie or another.
It turns out that there is some reality behind these scenes.
The slices are placed on the eyes to reduce swelling and minimize skin pigmentation issues through the cooling effect cucumbers offer.
3) Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another wonderful way to reduce sunken eyes, and it acts as a natural form of bleach.
As it is an acid, it can be used for dead skin removal and lightening hyperpigmentation under the eyes.
4) Water
As we now know, dehydration is one of the main and most easily solved reasons behind sunken eyes.
Drinking water regularly is a great way to prevent your eyes from looking sunken or your blood flow from becoming congested.
5) Tea Bags
Antioxidants and flavonoids are found in tea.
Teabags help reduce sunken eyes’ appearance by increasing circulation and calming the nerves and muscles around the eyes.
You need two tea bags steeped for at least 5 minutes for this to work.
Squeeze off the liquid and make sure they’re not too hot for the thin, fragile skin beneath the eyes.
Ensure that the tea bags are used for a minimum of 10 minutes to reap the maximum effects.
6) Fish Oil
Fish oil contains a healthy dose of fatty acids, which are used in a number of functions in the body, such as increasing the body’s healing abilities and reducing inflammation.
Fish oil can be used topically on the eyes rather than digesting it.
This will reduce the look of darkness under your eyes and minimize the sunken look of your eyes.
You need to open a capsule and use the oil to rub it onto your skin.
7) Healthy Diet
You should attempt to eat foods that will support your overall health as well as the skin of your eyes.
A good diet is one that includes all the essential nutrients, minerals, vitamins, healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Other Treatments
There are a number of other treatments that you can use.
These treatments will be more costly as compared to remedies you can try out at home.
1) Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a medical procedure that is minimally invasive compared to major cosmetic surgery.
Dermal fillers consist of hyaluronic acid.
The hyaluronic acid in dermal fillers is injected into the lower eyelid to combat your sunken eyes.
2) Eye Cream
There are many different eye creams that you can purchase.
A good eye cream contains essential vitamins and other powerful topical substances that are used to reduce the appearance of dark circles or sunken eyes.
3) Surgery
There are many surgeries that can be carried out, from lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to facelifts and brow lifts.
These can all be used to improve any under-eye discoloration or sunken eyes that has occurred due to aging, trauma, or any other cause.
Conclusion
For some people, sunken eyes are part of their genes, and for others, something that develops due to lifestyle habits or trauma.
While they do not affect your beauty in any way, there are a number of things you can do to minimize their appearance.