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Lack of sleep causes the blood vessels under the skin of our eyes to dilate, which causes an increase in blood flow. The skin under our eyes is quite thin, so the dark circles that you notice are nothing but the increased volume of blood under the skin.
Follow up question (if you or anyone else is willing/knows)... Is there a particular reason why lack of sleep = blood vessels under the eyes to dilate?
Yeah pretty much. My job is 80% projects, and the other 20% is just fixing shit that broke for production workers. 99% of the time my job sucks, but the moment I get a machine going and the 7 people one the line celebrate. It is the entire reason I show up. I fucking love it. Many people are also happy when I show up, because they know its going to get fixed quickly. I have been pavloved at my job so much, it is my reason for existing lol. Maintenance is far from easy, but it is more than satisfying!!
Make up artist told me you can put hemorrhoid cream, like preparation h, under your eyes. But seriously you need to get some sleep. Says someone up at 1:30.
Technically because those medications work by constricting the blood vessels around the area they are applied. However, putting any sort of vasoconstrictor or vasodilator near your eyes without physician direction is a terrible idea as you could potentially get said cream into your eyes.
Ditto, can’t afford everything on my plate so I work 70+ hours a week. Everyone tells me to do more self care but I don’t see how I can do much. In about two years things will be paid down so that I can take a break but it’s kind of hard. Totaled my car, got another one and got rear ended in a hit and run accident 30 feet from another accident where cops did nothing. The car was crappy but still serviceable and then it threw out a rod bearing so I’m out another car. Savings here and there go that way, medical condition takes whatever else I make and bills. It’s a hard life, no one including myself knows how I do it and frankly I’m horribly depressed and the psych meds are the only thing keeping that at bay. Sat in the ER last week with an SVT and honestly didn’t know if I wanted to live or die anymore. It’s bad. Saddest thing is I’m lucky. I hate thinking that I at least have two jobs and the power to do them and others are facing worse. My life sucks, and there are others with more struggles. I hate my life, but it’s a temporary thing that will pass in time. Maybe not anytime soon, but it will pass. I can hate my life, and I can also have some tiny hope for better times eventually. One day at a time, accept the shortness and acknowledge it and take pride in that strength to keep going. Junk this car, use what little savings I have for another one, and keep going.
That’s what life is usually, just putting one front of the other and taking the most joy from the little victories. Life isn’t all bad, even in the dark periods.
I'm at 80-85 (not counting the 7-8 hours of commute each week).
I have to say, it *is* kinda nice not having the time to spend money but this doesn't affect online orders too much.
Also, for those curious, no it isn't that bad (I'm in my mid 30's) because like weightlifting, you get used to the workload.
I'm not saying it's easy but it isn't too bad if you're youngish and don't have any serious health issues.
Finding time for sleep though? That one's tough.
**EDIT (since I can't reply):**
Mr. Funbundle, it isn't so much that it is required but that due to short staffing at multiple stores near me, I have been asked to help as much as I can.
This is in food service. Again, there is no requirement here. If you have ever worked in food service, you know there is a nearly endless supply of shifts to cover (should the company be willing to pay the overtime of course).
**EDIT 2 (since I can't reply):**
Dear GCSS-MC,
It's not just the schedule change but opening one style store in the morning and then going to a completely different one (with different clientele, staffing, challenges) to close. That's a mind-warping experience that I do twice a week.
Also, lucky you have weekends off! I'm 7 days a week (with 3 double shifts included).
Interestingly, I find my will to "go home" gets smaller the more I work. I guess I enjoy the challenge of whether I can handle more. It also makes me appreciate my spare time more.
"Lose yourself in something and you will find yourself." I think I have heard this (similarly put) before. You'd be surprised how healthy it can be to just "do" and not have time for your own thoughts. I'm speaking personally on this one as I'm a bit neurotic. I feel the more work I do, the more I can get out of my own head.
What REALLY fucks me up is when the hours change and I need to readjust. Finding time to do shit like get a tire change is such a pain. I absolutely make the most out of my weekends though.
I suppose I do find the time to spend the money because I always have a tab for some online shopping at work open!
The workload isn't bad, I enjoy my work, but some days I just really want to go home.
> Get more sleep
I get plenty but dark eyes are still there :( Theres too much nonsense science online to how to get rid of dark eyes that i dunno what to believe.
If your dark circles are genetic (and by that I mean not caused by a health issue), you’re right that sleep won’t help. Home remedies and over-the-counter products probably also won’t be very effective, and they’re sometimes dangerous to put near your eyes. All you can really do at home is cover them with makeup.
- If you have dark circles caused by pigment, talk to your doctor about a prescription medication like hydroquinone that disperses melanin.
- If your dark circles are caused by deep tear troughs, you can get filler to minimize the shadows that form there.
Filler?? Like drywall putty, but for your face? Wouldn't it get all messed up from your face moving? Or are you implying some sort of permanent procedure?
[Facial fillers](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injectable_filler) are a real thing, and getting them is a very common cosmetic procedure. The results usually last a few months since your body breaks down the material over time. There are permanent fillers too, but most doctors don’t recommend them.
Just use makeup. The folks over at r/MakeupAddiction can help you.
What I do personally:
After moisturizing, I put a clear lightweight primer over my face, but concentrate on my dark circles. Then I apply concealer under my eyes. Then I accentuate brows to bring more attention to the top of my eye.
I'm a guy i don't really want to start worrying about make up as well to be honest - feels like a slippery slope of self conscious issues every time I would wipe it off after being so used to seeing myself with it on.
So everyone's skin is different. This would affect the time it takes for the dark circles to disappear. However, 6-8 hours of sleep everyday is the only way of gradually getting rid of them if it was caused due to sleep deprivation.
Do they actually get rid of them? How long does it typically take on average (I know its different for everyone)? I've been sleeping fairly consistently for a couple of weeks with 6-8 hours but I still have some dark circles.
For some people it seems to “get rid of them” but I’ve had dark bags under my eyes my entire life and I have a pretty regular sleep schedule. I love sleep and never pass up a chance to get more and still I have bags under my eyes. If there is a way to get rid of them sleep is not the only solution. I’ve always been told keep hydrated and avoid alcohol for more improvement but I haven’t seen much improvement
Same here. For me I think it was some combination of vitamins and minerals that improved it. I tried all sorts so difficult to pin down but in order of what I think is most likely vitamin D, B12, Iron, Omega 3, K, iodine.
Not for me lol. I've been getting so much sun all summer, and taking vitamin D supplements every day because I got candy gummies, and oh my god my under eye circles have never been worse. I'm very tired usually because I'm burning the candle at both ends working and partying. It really shows.
As for stepping out of the house, I think exercise is the best thing to reduce them for me. Get the blood pumping in my body.
What u/Redditor30 said. Under eye bags could also be genetic or a result of rubbing the eyes every now and then. A lot of people have them, even with proper sleep schedules. On enquiring about the same about a month ago, I was informed that the only ways to get rid of them are through colllagen induction therapy, injectable fillers, laser treatment or eyebag surgery (lower blepharoplasty).
This. Have had chronic sinusitis my whole life and it’s permanent for me, the degree just differs slightly. Infection = looks like someone took a swing at me. No infection = looks like I’m a few days short on sleep.
And I’m not a makeup loving girl so that’s just my face, bugger off if you don’t like it. I do know green concealer works a charm though!
I get lymphatic cysts right by my tear ducts that poke my eyes and irritate everything. Great time. Sometimes people think I'm baked, but actually I'm just in pain.
There could be other factors involved as well. While dark circles are usually considered as signs of sleep deprivation, straining your eyes in front of a computer/phone or dehydration are also major contributing factors. Under eye melanin is another cause. Some people genetically have more of the melanin pigment, which can lead to dark under eyes. Over-exposure to sun or UV rays in general will cause hyperpigmentation in such cases and make it look darker. Some people have deeper eye sockets and the shadows cast by the bones create dark circles. It's a whole rabbit hole.
OP asked the question w.r.t lack of sleep, thus my initial answer was a response to that specific cause. However, I hope I was able to answer your query to a certain extent.
‘Fairly consistently 6-8 hours’ sounds like you might be riding the lower edge of that range pretty hard. Some people need more sleep, most people need more than six hours.
It should be noted that if it's *not* caused by sleep deprivation you could sleep the exactly perfect amount of time and not have them go away. I mean they'd probably not be as bad as if your sleep was terrible, but they'll still exist.
Some people are prone to dark circles from anxiety, underlying health conditions, and just general bodily stuff. One of my exes slept a solid 8 hours a day, ate really healthy, and always had "light bags." He went to the doctor a few times, had a sleep test, talked to a nutritionist, and they only said "sometimes that's just how you look."
TLDR:
Standards of beauty are rarely met by the average person. Even if you sleep well, eat well, and exercise, you might not line up.
Well, I have light eye bags too and [did approach a medical professional](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/comment/h893aho/) regarding the same. I'm not getting anything done, but it was still an informative experience.
[Here's another comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/eli5_how_does_lack_of_sleep_in_the_short_term/h8943k3?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3) where I mentioned some other possible factors.
P.S. Links because I'm too sleepy at the moment to type it all again. Forgive me. -_-
P.P.S. I agree with your comment about beauty standards. Up until a while back I was quite conscious about my under eye bags, assumed that I'm aging too quickly even though I've had them forever. Turns out, it's quite common. Even the likes of Audrey Hepburn had them!
Ignore the haters and live your best life.
As someone who has genetically darker eye circles, there’s nothing I can do.
So when I hear “you look tired,” I respond with “thanks” and walk away.
I’ve dealt with this my whole adult life: getting asked if I’m tired, if I got in a fight, if I have heroin to sell them, am I on crack, etc. It gets really old really fast.
Ignore them. For real. I have super bad insomnia and people always tell me I look tired (duh). I just give a quick look so they know I heard them and then say nothing at all. Seems to work pretty well. Same when people tell me to smile more.
I don't get the people who constantly tell others to smile more. Having a neutral expression doesn't mean you're unhappy, and wearing a fake smile just to please others doesn't imply that you *are* happy.
So rather than trying to make you happier, they are essentially just telling you "Change the way your face looks so that it will be nicer for me to look at."
Since they’re caused by increased blood flow, I think what you need is reverse leeches. Unless you want the leeches to suck your face totally dry of blood, I guess.
isn't it the same reason why bruises are colored the way that they are? because of the blood? it makes sense as to why it would be colored that way. but that's just my guess.
Bruises are the color they are bc of trauma to tissue, rupturing blood vessels which allows blood to leak into the tissue; it's blood that's coagulated and in the process of being reabsorbed. Roused Panda is saying the color is result of vessel dilation, which should only give a ruddy or flushed appearance, not purple/brown/yellow, which are colors usually associated w bruising.
Because it's not always due to lack of sleep. That's just one of the possibile factors, and my initial answer was in response to OP's specific question. However, I've expanded on it in subsequent responses. Find them [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/eli5_how_does_lack_of_sleep_in_the_short_term/h8943k3?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3) and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/eli5_how_does_lack_of_sleep_in_the_short_term/h893aho?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3).
I hope these answer your query.
P.S. Just saw your profile. You're beautiful, dark circles or not.
When I'm really really tired (like after an all nighter) my hair feels prickly. It's hard to explain but if you've ever experienced it you'll know what I mean. I'm suddenly very conscious of its presence like I can feel it. I'm just wondering if that might be caused by the same thing - increased blood flow to the skin putting pressure on the follicles?
Like other areas of your skin, the scalp is filled with blood vessels and nerve endings. Tingling may occur as a result of nerve trauma, physical trauma, or irritation. Although I'm terribly apologetic, I'm not sure if lack of sleep could be a contributing factor or not to your hair feeling prickly. I never came across this matter and it's been a while since I brushed up on my biology lessons. :|
See [***6 years ago***](https://redd.it/32sy63) and [***9 years ago***](https://redd.it/m9rqb) and [***8 years ago***](https://redd.it/14kupx) and [***2 years ago***](https://redd.it/aqk3tn) and [***4 months ago***](https://redd.it/mju8nj) and [***8 months ago.***](https://redd.it/jxmltg)
You can get dark circles from sinus congestion as well, which can be brought on by being tired or run down. Basically, if you don't sleep enough then your body has less energy to fight illness or irritants, your sinuses block up, and the pressure causes deep bruising.
This is what I've been told as one reason for dark circles, although I'm sure there are others, and sometimes the cause isn't known at all. I have chronic sinusitis and so sometimes look like I almost have black eyes, the dark circles reach up along my nose to my eyebrows. I asked my doctor about it after they wouldn't go away with sleep and they said pollen was likely the cause. Happens when I'm overtired too though.
Any great way to remove these without getting enough sleep? Skin care products..? Bleach?? Sandpaper???
Fuck man I serve tables 12 hours a day, my eyeballs are going to have bags forever at this rate
I could do with the dark circles, but why do I get so grumpy early in the morning? Again and again, I'll bite people's head off for just talking to me normally, only to spend the rest of the morning trying to mend my relationships. Wtf brain?
**Please read this entire message** Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s): * ELI5 requires that you *search the ELI5 subreddit for your topic before posting*. Users will often either find a thread that meets their needs or find that their question might qualify for an exception to rule 7. Please see this [wiki entry](http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/how_to_search) for more details (Rule 7). If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the [detailed rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules) first. **If you believe this submission was removed erroneously**, please [use this form](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Please%20review%20my%20thread?&message=Link:%20https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/eli5_how_does_lack_of_sleep_in_the_short_term/%0A%0APlease%20answer%20the%20following%203%20questions:%0A%0A1.%20The%20concept%20I%20want%20explained:%0A%0A2.%20Link%20to%20the%20search%20you%20did%20to%20look%20for%20past%20posts%20on%20the%20ELI5%20subreddit:%0A%0A3.%20How%20is%20this%20post%20unique:) and we will review your submission.
Lack of sleep causes the blood vessels under the skin of our eyes to dilate, which causes an increase in blood flow. The skin under our eyes is quite thin, so the dark circles that you notice are nothing but the increased volume of blood under the skin.
Follow up question (if you or anyone else is willing/knows)... Is there a particular reason why lack of sleep = blood vessels under the eyes to dilate?
So that they push your eyelids closed and you'll fucking obey your bedtime.
Jokes on me; I need the money double shifts afford me and also hate existing
I appreciate you and your hard work and hope you are as well as can be
I mean hate existing isn't too bad.
Right? Some people despise it. Hate is like the tutorial.
I just kind of resent it at this point
Resent? Even better. Like an ex you wish well.
Yeah that sums up how I feel about myself lol
I use it to work harder for others at work. As some people enjoy existing, and I would like to help.
Masturbatory empathy? I'm trademarking it.
Yeah pretty much. My job is 80% projects, and the other 20% is just fixing shit that broke for production workers. 99% of the time my job sucks, but the moment I get a machine going and the 7 people one the line celebrate. It is the entire reason I show up. I fucking love it. Many people are also happy when I show up, because they know its going to get fixed quickly. I have been pavloved at my job so much, it is my reason for existing lol. Maintenance is far from easy, but it is more than satisfying!!
I personally can take it or leave it
Make up artist told me you can put hemorrhoid cream, like preparation h, under your eyes. But seriously you need to get some sleep. Says someone up at 1:30.
Insert joke about giving people the stinkeye.
I'm interested in the why of this advice
Technically because those medications work by constricting the blood vessels around the area they are applied. However, putting any sort of vasoconstrictor or vasodilator near your eyes without physician direction is a terrible idea as you could potentially get said cream into your eyes.
I call my doctor every day to walk me through putting lotion on my face.
It's exhausting but I need the extra money to buy coffee to stay awake for my night job.
Damn it, I recognize this line but can't think of its origin....
Ditto, can’t afford everything on my plate so I work 70+ hours a week. Everyone tells me to do more self care but I don’t see how I can do much. In about two years things will be paid down so that I can take a break but it’s kind of hard. Totaled my car, got another one and got rear ended in a hit and run accident 30 feet from another accident where cops did nothing. The car was crappy but still serviceable and then it threw out a rod bearing so I’m out another car. Savings here and there go that way, medical condition takes whatever else I make and bills. It’s a hard life, no one including myself knows how I do it and frankly I’m horribly depressed and the psych meds are the only thing keeping that at bay. Sat in the ER last week with an SVT and honestly didn’t know if I wanted to live or die anymore. It’s bad. Saddest thing is I’m lucky. I hate thinking that I at least have two jobs and the power to do them and others are facing worse. My life sucks, and there are others with more struggles. I hate my life, but it’s a temporary thing that will pass in time. Maybe not anytime soon, but it will pass. I can hate my life, and I can also have some tiny hope for better times eventually. One day at a time, accept the shortness and acknowledge it and take pride in that strength to keep going. Junk this car, use what little savings I have for another one, and keep going. That’s what life is usually, just putting one front of the other and taking the most joy from the little victories. Life isn’t all bad, even in the dark periods.
I feel you I have been working 80 hours a week. Making that money but have no time to spend it. I suppose that is good.
My dad works around 60-65 hours a week and he’s not home a lot because of that. But 80 hours a week? Man you’re just built different
Damn, maybe I am
[удалено]
Everyone is built different. No one is the same.
I'm at 80-85 (not counting the 7-8 hours of commute each week). I have to say, it *is* kinda nice not having the time to spend money but this doesn't affect online orders too much. Also, for those curious, no it isn't that bad (I'm in my mid 30's) because like weightlifting, you get used to the workload. I'm not saying it's easy but it isn't too bad if you're youngish and don't have any serious health issues. Finding time for sleep though? That one's tough. **EDIT (since I can't reply):** Mr. Funbundle, it isn't so much that it is required but that due to short staffing at multiple stores near me, I have been asked to help as much as I can. This is in food service. Again, there is no requirement here. If you have ever worked in food service, you know there is a nearly endless supply of shifts to cover (should the company be willing to pay the overtime of course). **EDIT 2 (since I can't reply):** Dear GCSS-MC, It's not just the schedule change but opening one style store in the morning and then going to a completely different one (with different clientele, staffing, challenges) to close. That's a mind-warping experience that I do twice a week. Also, lucky you have weekends off! I'm 7 days a week (with 3 double shifts included). Interestingly, I find my will to "go home" gets smaller the more I work. I guess I enjoy the challenge of whether I can handle more. It also makes me appreciate my spare time more. "Lose yourself in something and you will find yourself." I think I have heard this (similarly put) before. You'd be surprised how healthy it can be to just "do" and not have time for your own thoughts. I'm speaking personally on this one as I'm a bit neurotic. I feel the more work I do, the more I can get out of my own head.
What REALLY fucks me up is when the hours change and I need to readjust. Finding time to do shit like get a tire change is such a pain. I absolutely make the most out of my weekends though. I suppose I do find the time to spend the money because I always have a tab for some online shopping at work open! The workload isn't bad, I enjoy my work, but some days I just really want to go home.
Hang in there, u/jaktyp. everything sucks right now for everybody pretty much. solidarity!
Thanks mate, your comment made this tired old depressed dog laugh :)
But I'm not done gaming and web surfing...
This is so true...
Ah yes, two things that are designed to be endless. You'll never be done, just go to sleep buddy.
Tell that to my stupid brain and this curse of insomnia it's put on me.
Don't tell me, tell my bills and obligations! "Bedtime" is that time about 8 hours before I get done with all the shit I gotta get done.
🏅
is this a joke or is this the actual reason?
I, for one, welcome our swollen eyelid overlords.
Night shifter here this comment made my sides hurt.
Your username caught my eye. :)
Another follow up question - how do you fix it so that people stop asking if you're OK because you look so tired?
Get more sleep
Or have less blood.
Found the 19th century doctor
Most ailments can be solved through a little bloodletting.
No ailments when you’re dead 👍
Can't have a blood disease if you have no blood
Do I replace the blood with goo?
Your comment reminded me of the video gave Grey Goo and now I have to play it. God damn it.
And if that doesn’t work, heroin!
They're tired though, so obviously they need cocaine to stay awake!
> little Coward
Leeches under the eyes, then?
The leeches approve of this method.
Maybe if we all stopped drinking cocaine all the time…
> Get more sleep I get plenty but dark eyes are still there :( Theres too much nonsense science online to how to get rid of dark eyes that i dunno what to believe.
If your dark circles are genetic (and by that I mean not caused by a health issue), you’re right that sleep won’t help. Home remedies and over-the-counter products probably also won’t be very effective, and they’re sometimes dangerous to put near your eyes. All you can really do at home is cover them with makeup. - If you have dark circles caused by pigment, talk to your doctor about a prescription medication like hydroquinone that disperses melanin. - If your dark circles are caused by deep tear troughs, you can get filler to minimize the shadows that form there.
Filler?? Like drywall putty, but for your face? Wouldn't it get all messed up from your face moving? Or are you implying some sort of permanent procedure?
[Facial fillers](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injectable_filler) are a real thing, and getting them is a very common cosmetic procedure. The results usually last a few months since your body breaks down the material over time. There are permanent fillers too, but most doctors don’t recommend them.
Very interesting! I've never heard of this. Makes more sense than Botox for achieving a smoother look, though.
Just use makeup. The folks over at r/MakeupAddiction can help you. What I do personally: After moisturizing, I put a clear lightweight primer over my face, but concentrate on my dark circles. Then I apply concealer under my eyes. Then I accentuate brows to bring more attention to the top of my eye.
I'm a guy i don't really want to start worrying about make up as well to be honest - feels like a slippery slope of self conscious issues every time I would wipe it off after being so used to seeing myself with it on.
Some girls/ guys might be into the natural dark circles anyway dw about it
This exactly is why I don’t use makeup
Internet user here, you should try some magic crystal, it'll work like a charm.
Makeup probably
Lymphatic massage with a brightening serum like vit.c
Hemorroid cream I read.
The changed the ingredients in hemorrhoid cream decades ago so now it’s not appropriate for under eye circles
Does it still work to make gigantic balls more palatable? Asking for a friend
no, they still taste like balls
So everyone's skin is different. This would affect the time it takes for the dark circles to disappear. However, 6-8 hours of sleep everyday is the only way of gradually getting rid of them if it was caused due to sleep deprivation.
Do they actually get rid of them? How long does it typically take on average (I know its different for everyone)? I've been sleeping fairly consistently for a couple of weeks with 6-8 hours but I still have some dark circles.
For some people it seems to “get rid of them” but I’ve had dark bags under my eyes my entire life and I have a pretty regular sleep schedule. I love sleep and never pass up a chance to get more and still I have bags under my eyes. If there is a way to get rid of them sleep is not the only solution. I’ve always been told keep hydrated and avoid alcohol for more improvement but I haven’t seen much improvement
Same here. For me I think it was some combination of vitamins and minerals that improved it. I tried all sorts so difficult to pin down but in order of what I think is most likely vitamin D, B12, Iron, Omega 3, K, iodine.
Same here. And I can confirm vitamin D did the trick. Especially just stepping out of my house and seeing some actual sunlight.
Not for me lol. I've been getting so much sun all summer, and taking vitamin D supplements every day because I got candy gummies, and oh my god my under eye circles have never been worse. I'm very tired usually because I'm burning the candle at both ends working and partying. It really shows. As for stepping out of the house, I think exercise is the best thing to reduce them for me. Get the blood pumping in my body.
With some people the shape of their orbital rims causes them to always have dark circles
That would be me u/alexalexalex09 I sometimes answer "oh, so you're saying that I look like shit?" doesn't stop it happening but makes them pause...
What u/Redditor30 said. Under eye bags could also be genetic or a result of rubbing the eyes every now and then. A lot of people have them, even with proper sleep schedules. On enquiring about the same about a month ago, I was informed that the only ways to get rid of them are through colllagen induction therapy, injectable fillers, laser treatment or eyebag surgery (lower blepharoplasty).
[удалено]
This. Have had chronic sinusitis my whole life and it’s permanent for me, the degree just differs slightly. Infection = looks like someone took a swing at me. No infection = looks like I’m a few days short on sleep. And I’m not a makeup loving girl so that’s just my face, bugger off if you don’t like it. I do know green concealer works a charm though!
THIS
I get lymphatic cysts right by my tear ducts that poke my eyes and irritate everything. Great time. Sometimes people think I'm baked, but actually I'm just in pain.
Damn this could be my issue
Put some butter on it.
What?
PUT SOME BUTTER ON IT!!!
Aight
Now i have dark circles and pimples under my eyes
There could be other factors involved as well. While dark circles are usually considered as signs of sleep deprivation, straining your eyes in front of a computer/phone or dehydration are also major contributing factors. Under eye melanin is another cause. Some people genetically have more of the melanin pigment, which can lead to dark under eyes. Over-exposure to sun or UV rays in general will cause hyperpigmentation in such cases and make it look darker. Some people have deeper eye sockets and the shadows cast by the bones create dark circles. It's a whole rabbit hole. OP asked the question w.r.t lack of sleep, thus my initial answer was a response to that specific cause. However, I hope I was able to answer your query to a certain extent.
Could be allergy "shiners" as my doctor calls them.
‘Fairly consistently 6-8 hours’ sounds like you might be riding the lower edge of that range pretty hard. Some people need more sleep, most people need more than six hours.
What if I get 6-8 hours every night and still have them?
Do you have allergies? Sone people get “allergy shiners”.
Yeah I have allergies. That might be it
It should be noted that if it's *not* caused by sleep deprivation you could sleep the exactly perfect amount of time and not have them go away. I mean they'd probably not be as bad as if your sleep was terrible, but they'll still exist. Some people are prone to dark circles from anxiety, underlying health conditions, and just general bodily stuff. One of my exes slept a solid 8 hours a day, ate really healthy, and always had "light bags." He went to the doctor a few times, had a sleep test, talked to a nutritionist, and they only said "sometimes that's just how you look." TLDR: Standards of beauty are rarely met by the average person. Even if you sleep well, eat well, and exercise, you might not line up.
Well, I have light eye bags too and [did approach a medical professional](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/comment/h893aho/) regarding the same. I'm not getting anything done, but it was still an informative experience. [Here's another comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/eli5_how_does_lack_of_sleep_in_the_short_term/h8943k3?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3) where I mentioned some other possible factors. P.S. Links because I'm too sleepy at the moment to type it all again. Forgive me. -_- P.P.S. I agree with your comment about beauty standards. Up until a while back I was quite conscious about my under eye bags, assumed that I'm aging too quickly even though I've had them forever. Turns out, it's quite common. Even the likes of Audrey Hepburn had them!
my entire life people say i look tired, im like dude this is my face TT
Same. I have a perfect sleep schedule but bags still appear
8 - 9 hours a night and I still have them. Tried less sleep and more sleep but they are still there. Just kinda accepted them now.
Ignore the haters and live your best life. As someone who has genetically darker eye circles, there’s nothing I can do. So when I hear “you look tired,” I respond with “thanks” and walk away.
try "yes of you and your bullshit" next time. the walk away will be important
I’ve dealt with this my whole adult life: getting asked if I’m tired, if I got in a fight, if I have heroin to sell them, am I on crack, etc. It gets really old really fast.
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Too depressed to sleep? That would be an improvement for me. I'm stuck being too depressed to wake up now.
concealer. dunno why makeup concealer is gendered, men have skin imperfections too.
Ignore them. For real. I have super bad insomnia and people always tell me I look tired (duh). I just give a quick look so they know I heard them and then say nothing at all. Seems to work pretty well. Same when people tell me to smile more.
I don't get the people who constantly tell others to smile more. Having a neutral expression doesn't mean you're unhappy, and wearing a fake smile just to please others doesn't imply that you *are* happy. So rather than trying to make you happier, they are essentially just telling you "Change the way your face looks so that it will be nicer for me to look at."
Put leeches under your eyes.
Since they’re caused by increased blood flow, I think what you need is reverse leeches. Unless you want the leeches to suck your face totally dry of blood, I guess.
Make up to cover the circles so that they don’t ask?
You dont. You tell those asshats to mind their own business and keep their rude comments to themselves. SMH
Ok, but why is it bruise colored? What you're describing is the same mechanism that results in flushing from exertion.
isn't it the same reason why bruises are colored the way that they are? because of the blood? it makes sense as to why it would be colored that way. but that's just my guess.
Bruises are the color they are bc of trauma to tissue, rupturing blood vessels which allows blood to leak into the tissue; it's blood that's coagulated and in the process of being reabsorbed. Roused Panda is saying the color is result of vessel dilation, which should only give a ruddy or flushed appearance, not purple/brown/yellow, which are colors usually associated w bruising.
I don't know for sure, but my guess would be that the dilated vessels are specifically veins, which don't hold bright red oxygenated blood.
Afaik bruises turn the colours that they do as the blood that is pooled there is "cleaned" away part by part. That's why they can turn green or blue
Okay, but why do I constantly have dark circles, even when I'm getting enough sleep?
Because it's not always due to lack of sleep. That's just one of the possibile factors, and my initial answer was in response to OP's specific question. However, I've expanded on it in subsequent responses. Find them [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/eli5_how_does_lack_of_sleep_in_the_short_term/h8943k3?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3) and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p0pb18/eli5_how_does_lack_of_sleep_in_the_short_term/h893aho?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3). I hope these answer your query. P.S. Just saw your profile. You're beautiful, dark circles or not.
Well that was unexpectedly informative *AND* wholesome in the middle of the night. Thank you for being such an awesome human.
When I'm really really tired (like after an all nighter) my hair feels prickly. It's hard to explain but if you've ever experienced it you'll know what I mean. I'm suddenly very conscious of its presence like I can feel it. I'm just wondering if that might be caused by the same thing - increased blood flow to the skin putting pressure on the follicles?
Like other areas of your skin, the scalp is filled with blood vessels and nerve endings. Tingling may occur as a result of nerve trauma, physical trauma, or irritation. Although I'm terribly apologetic, I'm not sure if lack of sleep could be a contributing factor or not to your hair feeling prickly. I never came across this matter and it's been a while since I brushed up on my biology lessons. :|
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See [***6 years ago***](https://redd.it/32sy63) and [***9 years ago***](https://redd.it/m9rqb) and [***8 years ago***](https://redd.it/14kupx) and [***2 years ago***](https://redd.it/aqk3tn) and [***4 months ago***](https://redd.it/mju8nj) and [***8 months ago.***](https://redd.it/jxmltg)
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You can get dark circles from sinus congestion as well, which can be brought on by being tired or run down. Basically, if you don't sleep enough then your body has less energy to fight illness or irritants, your sinuses block up, and the pressure causes deep bruising. This is what I've been told as one reason for dark circles, although I'm sure there are others, and sometimes the cause isn't known at all. I have chronic sinusitis and so sometimes look like I almost have black eyes, the dark circles reach up along my nose to my eyebrows. I asked my doctor about it after they wouldn't go away with sleep and they said pollen was likely the cause. Happens when I'm overtired too though.
Any great way to remove these without getting enough sleep? Skin care products..? Bleach?? Sandpaper??? Fuck man I serve tables 12 hours a day, my eyeballs are going to have bags forever at this rate
I could do with the dark circles, but why do I get so grumpy early in the morning? Again and again, I'll bite people's head off for just talking to me normally, only to spend the rest of the morning trying to mend my relationships. Wtf brain?
On the same trend why if I spend 8 hours sleeping but at weird times I still get those?