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Can Massaging Dark Circles Help Them?
Dark circles result when blood collects beneath your eyes, whether because of age, genetics, allergies or a lack of sleep 1. If undereye bags accompany your dark circles, massaging them can relieve the swelling. Using a massaging motion to apply a cold compress can also lessen discolorations. But rubbing dark circles that are caused by allergies may make them worse. A doctor can help determine the root cause of your dark circles.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Identification
As you get older, your skin loses firmness and becomes thinner. This makes the blood vessels under your eyes look more obvious, which leads to dark circles 1. Your skin’s internal structure also weakens with age, and this can cause fluid to collect under and around your eyes, forming undereye bags. Dark circles and undereye bags often appear together. Additionally, allergies and nasal congestion make your blood vessels swell, which can cause puffiness and dark circles to form.
- As you get older, your skin loses firmness and becomes thinner.
- Your skin’s internal structure also weakens with age, and this can cause fluid to collect under and around your eyes, forming undereye bags.
Function
Yellow Bags Under Eyes
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Using the tips of your fingers to massage undereye bags disperses the collected fluid, which helps lessen the puffiness under and around your eyes. Doing this massage with a cold compress or washcloth can also improve the look of your dark circles, says Eric Donnenfeld, M.D., an associate professor of ophthalmology at North Shore University Hospital and Cornell Medical College. He states that the cold temperature temporarily tightens blood vessels and lightens the area under your eyes.
Advantages
Dark circles and puffiness that are caused by age, genetics and a lack of sleep can benefit from a massage with a cold compress. These types of eye problems lessen when the trapped fluid is flushed out and the blood vessels are constricted. The combination of cold and massage causes the swelling to diminish and discolorations to lighten.
Disadvantages
Allergic Reaction: It Looks Like I Have a Black Eye
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If your dark circles and undereye bags are caused by allergies, rubbing or massaging your eyes can bruise the already swollen vessels and make the darkness worse, says ophthalmologist Robert Mirsky 1. He recommends using eyedrops designed to relieve allergies or asking your doctor about oral allergy medications.
Considerations
Dark circles are defined as round areas of pigmentation beneath both eyes 1. If you have discolorations under only one eye or dark circles that seem to be getting worse, the Mayo Clinic advises that you speak with your doctor to determine whether there are any underlying medical causes 1.
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References
- MayoClinic.com: Dark Circles Under Eyes
- Sarkar R, Ranjan R, Garg S, Garg VK, Sonthalia S, Bansal S. Periorbital hyperpigmentation: A comprehensive review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(1):49–55.
- Vrcek I, Ozgur O, Nakra T. Infraorbital dark circles: A review of the pathogenesis, evaluation and treatment. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2016;9(2):65–72. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.184046
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. What are allergic shiners?
- Mukherjee, Pulok & Nema, Neelesh & Maity, Niladri & Sarkar, Birendra. (2012). Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber. Fitoterapia. 84. 10.1016/j.fitote.2012.10.003
- Marini A, Grether-beck S, Jaenicke T, et al. Pycnogenol® effects on skin elasticity and hydration coincide with increased gene expressions of collagen type I and hyaluronic acid synthase in women. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2012;25(2):86-92. doi:10.1159/000335261
- Ahmadraji, Fatemeh & Shatalebi, Mohammad. (2015). Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of an eye counter pad containing caffeine and vitamin K in emulsified Emu oil base. Advanced biomedical research. 4. doi: 10.10.4103/2277-9175.148292.
Writer Bio
Lynne Sheldon has over 12 years of dance experience, both in studios and performance groups. She is an avid runner and has studied several types of yoga. Sheldon now works as a freelance writer, editor and book reviewer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and art history from Boston University and recently completed her Master of Fine Arts in writing from Pacific University.