Tips For Preventing Under Eye Bags and Dark Circles

Under eye bags and dark circles are a frustrating yet common beauty concern affecting many people. They can make us look worn out or older than we are, so it’s a good idea to prevent them from showing up in the first place.

Fortunately, there are several options for preventing and reducing under eye bags and dark circles, such as staying hydrated, using sleep collagen, or microneedling. 

We’ll provide some simple yet effective tips that can help you avoid or lessen the appearance of these pesky skin issues.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being, but it also keeps your skin looking healthy and taut. When dehydrated, your skin can become dull, uneven, and more prone to fluid retention, leading to a baggy and dark under eye area.

Drink enough water throughout the day to prevent dark circles or under eye bags. Experts recommend drinking around 2.7 – 3.7 liters of water daily to keep skin hydrated and plump. A simple way is to get a reusable water bottle and always have it with you.

Protect Your Skin From the Sun

Exposure to UV rays can cause skin damage and contribute to the development of under eye bags and dark circles. To protect your skin from harmful UV rays, have a summer skincare routine and stick to it. Always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when outside, even on cloudy days.

Additionally, sunglasses aren’t just fashionable. Wearing them helps protect your eyes from UV damage, reducing the appearance of under eye bags and dark circles in the long run.

Use a Sleep Collagen Product

After the age of 25, the amount of collagen the body produces gradually decreases. Collagen is responsible for making the skin look healthy, young and plump, and your body produces most of its collagen at night when it tries to restore damage to the skin from the sun and other stressors. 

To give your skin cells a collagen boost that can help address under eye bags and dark circles, consider using a good sleep collagen product before going to bed. Note that for the sleep collagen to be effective, you should use it continuously for several weeks to obtain the best results. 

Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol might be fun and help you relax, but it has a long list of potential downsides for your overall health, and under eye bags and dark circles are one of them. Alcohol can dehydrate your body and cause the blood vessels under the eyes to dilate, making under eye bags and dark circles more prominent.

To prevent this, limit your alcohol intake or avoid it altogether. If you do decide to drink, drink ample water to stay hydrated and get enough rest the following days to reduce the negative effects of alcohol on your skin and under eye area.

Treat Your Allergies

Allergies can cause inflammation, puffiness, and swelling around the eyes, contributing to the development of under eye bags and dark circles. Thankfully, it’s easy to manage your allergies with allergy medication or other remedies recommended by your doctor. Additionally, when you’re feeling irritated, dry, or have watery eyes due to allergies, avoid rubbing your eyes, which can irritate the skin further and make under eye bags even more noticeable.

Manage Your Stress

Like alcohol and allergies, stress can cause internal and external problems, including skin problems like under eye bags and dark circles. When stressed out, your body releases the hormone cortisol, which contributes to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin. You can incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine, like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to manage stress levels.

Use a Jade Roller

Jade rollers are becoming increasingly popular in the beauty world, and for good reason. This skincare tool is believed to help improve circulation, reduce puffiness, and promote lymphatic drainage, all contributing to a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion and a better-looking under eye area.

The effectiveness of a jade roller depends on how you use it, so make sure you’re rolling in the right direction for your intended purposes, e.g., toward your nose instead of away from it for under eye work.

Use a Quality Eye Cream or Serum

An eye cream or serum can help hydrate and firm the delicate skin around your eyes, reducing the appearance of under eye bags and dark circles. Look for products that contain ingredients like caffeine, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and retinol, which can all help improve the appearance of under eye bags and dark circles. When applying eye cream or serum, use your ring finger to gently pat a small amount of it into the skin, avoiding tugging or rubbing.

Clean Makeup Off Efficiently

Leaving makeup on overnight can contribute to developing under eye bags and dark circles. To prevent this, remove your makeup thoroughly every night before bed. Use a gentle, oil-based makeup remover to dissolve and lift away makeup, then follow up with a gentle cleanser to cleanse the skin. Also, avoid using waterproof or long-wear makeup products, as these can be more difficult to remove and may irritate the skin.

Use a Variety of In-Office Treatments

If you’ve tried the above tips and still have stubborn under eye bags and dark circles, consider trying in-office treatments like microneedling, laser therapy, chemical peels, or injectable fillers.

These treatments may help reduce the appearance of under eye bags and dark circles by smoothing out the skin, increasing collagen production, or reducing inflammation.

For best results, chat with your esthetician about a series of treatments, as these can sometimes be more effective than only one session.

Say Goodbye to Tired Eyes: Start Implementing These Tips Today!

Under eye bags and dark circles can be frustrating, but they don’t have to be a permanent fixture on your face. By following these tips and making simple lifestyle changes, you can prevent and reduce them.

Stay hydrated, protect your skin from UV, and consider supplements like sleep collagen or in-office treatments like microneedling, if needed. If you have any questions about microneedling, contact Spa MD today to learn more.