Ask Dr. Jean: How to prevent having 'panda eyes'

Updated On: March 29, 2022, 11:54 AM
By Dr. Jean Marquez, Contributor
@drjeanm
eyebags
Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash
Hi Doc Jean! Is it true that my habit of sleeping late is what's causing the dark circles under my eyes?

Lack of sleep may cause dark circles under the eyes. Pooling of blood under the eyes due to tiredness can cause a bluish or dark tinge especially for those who have fairer skin.

You may also need to look into what you put on your face. Strong chemicals in soap, toners, and face creams can make your under-eye area darker. Some of the chemicals that can cause these are salicyclic and glycolic acids, tretinoin, erythromycin and hydroquinone. Toners that are alcohol-based can also dry out your skin. At the same time, you have to make sure that you are using sunblock on your eye area which has thinner skin.

If you have allergies, you may develop itchiness in your eye area and have the urge to keep rubbing your eyes. Allergies and skin asthma can cause irritation, which in turn can cause hyperpigmentation. You will want to avoid your allergy triggers and eye strain from working or spending too much time focused on your gadget screen. Constant rubbing causes irritation, then pigmentation.

Aging is another cause--as we age, the lack of collagen and loss of fat causes thinning and sagging of the skin. The bone around the eye becomes thinner, which causes further sagging and folds on the under-eye can cause shadowing and a darker appearance.

Genetics is another factor to look into. Dark under-eye circles are more noticeable in those with Asian-Indian descent and those with lighter skin and it might have a purple or reddish tint. For those with medium skin tones, the under-eye area may appear blue or black, and those with darker skin will have under-eye areas that look brown or even greenish.

My dark under-eye area is making me look so frazzled and sleep-deprived. What can I do to have a fresher, more youthful look?

The first step is to find the cause of the under-eye circles. If it is caused by an allergy, you have to treat the allergy and avoid your allergens.

Make sure to protect your under eye area with moisturizers that are especially formulated to hydrate that delicate part of your skin. It helps to develop a good skin care habit that includes applying moisturizer twice daily. You can switch it up with a lighter moisturizer with an SPF for daytime, and a combination of heavier moisturizer and eye cream before bedtime.

woman putting eye mask

Keep the skin under your eyes properly hydrated. / Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels

I also want to give this reminder to never sleep with makeup on. Use a gentle makeup remover and use gentle sweeping and blotting motions instead of rubbing your face. Your eye area has among the thinnest and most sensitive skin, so you should care for it very gently.

Then, when you go to sleep, try to sleep on your back. Having a pillow to support your head will help to keep fluid from accumulating under your eyes. Make sure that your pillows and other beddings are clean, to avoid dust and dust mites that can trigger allergies too. Make sure that you get a good night's sleep. The recommendation is at least seven to eight hours daily.

Aim for a healthy diet that avoids excess salt. Sodium causes bloating that can make your eyes look puffy. A diet rich in Vitamin C can help with collagen production that makes you look healthy and glowing. Stress can affect your sleep and you may try techniques such as meditation to help you relax.

I'm tired of having to apply concealer to hide my dark under-eye circles. What are the more advanced treatments that I can try?

If your under-eye area is really bothering you, you can consult with a board-certified dermatologist and ask about the proper mode of treatments. If the cause of your under-eye darkening is your veins, your dermatologist can recommend a long pulse ND-YAG laser. If the pigmentation stems from allergies and irritation, the dermatologist will treat the allergy then use a pigment laser afterwards.

Tixel 2 treatment can help stimulate collagen, smoothen, and lighten the skin in the periorbital area, while a Long Pulse ND-YAG Laser is used to close the veins to give a fresher appearance.

Looking fresh and youthful needs a holistic approach. Aside from the clinical treatments, having a healthy lifestyle that includes getting adequate sleep and having a proper diet is important.

Dr. Jean Marquez
@drjeanm
Dr. Jean Marquez is a clinical, cosmetic, and functional dermatologist. She is one of the pioneers in lasers, anti-aging treatments, and Restorative Dermatology in the Philippines. She is a fellow of Philippine Dermatological Society; medical director and founder of Dare Clinic; and a host and regular resource person of medical television show Pinoy MD on GMA-7.

Stories You Might Like

Anne Curtis
NEWS
9 hours ago
Anne Curtis' support for vaccines was emphasized by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, an organization supporting access to immunization.
dost science pinas on gtv
NEWS
9 hours ago
'Science Pinas' premieres on GTV this Saturday.
Bianca Pagdanganan
FASHION & BEAUTY
9 hours ago
A new milestone for another Filipino Olympian.
NPC SEAL
We use cookies to ensure you get the best browsing experience. By continued use, you agree to our privacy policy and accept our use of such cookies. For further information, click FIND OUT MORE.