Cosmetologist revealed the causes of dark circles under the eyes and tired look in autumn

The skin around the eyes is one of the first to react to stress, lack of sleep, and seasonal changes due to its characteristics. In autumn, when the daylight hours decrease, the usual regime changes and the heating season begins, dark circles, puffiness and dull skin color may become more noticeable. Lyudmila Elisavetskaya, a cosmetologist and aesthetician, told Izvestia about the reasons for such changes and the care of this area on September 4.

"The skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most vulnerable area of the face, the thickness of its epidermis is only half a millimeter, there are practically no sebaceous glands and subcutaneous fat. At the same time, we blink up to ten thousand times a day, which creates a constant load on this area. That is why she is the first to react to stress, lack of sleep and any changes in the body's condition, demonstrating the effects of overwork in the form of dark circles, swelling and dull color," the expert noted.

With chronic lack of sleep, microcirculation is disrupted in the area around the eyes, which causes cells to receive less oxygen and metabolic products to be excreted more slowly. In addition, the level of cortisol increases, a stress hormone that can contribute to fluid retention and poor blood circulation.

According to Elisavetskaya, due to these processes, the skin can become paler and thinner, and the vessels under it become more noticeable. Depending on the cause, circles under the eyes can have a different shade: bluish is associated with the location of blood vessels, and brownish is associated with a change in skin pigmentation.

In autumn, the condition of the skin around the eyes may worsen due to a combination of several factors. With the beginning of the heating season, the indoor air becomes drier, which is why the thin skin of the eyelids loses moisture faster. The additional load is created by the cold wind, temperature fluctuations and reduced daylight hours.

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According to the expert, stress also affects the condition of this zone through several mechanisms. Under emotional stress, the body produces cortisol, which can trap fluid in the tissues and impair microcirculation. As a result, swelling appears, and the skin loses its elasticity and freshness.

Elisavetskaya noted that the severity of dark circles and edema depends on the individual characteristics of a person. In some people, the problem is related to thin skin and the proximity of blood vessels, in others — with a tendency to fluid retention and features of lymph flow.

Restoring sleep patterns can improve the condition of the skin around the eyes, but not all the features of this area can be eliminated only by lifestyle changes. According to the cosmetologist, the genetic features of the facial structure, age-related changes and the severity of the nasolacrimal sulcus require additional care.

To maintain the condition of the skin around the eyes, the specialist recommends using products with moisturizing and regenerating components. Hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides can be useful in the care, which help to retain moisture and maintain the protective barrier of the skin.

At the same time, it is important to use cosmetics correctly. According to Elisavetskaya, excessive amounts of funds do not accelerate the result, and regularity and proper care are more important.

"It is important to choose products specifically for the area around the eyes, rather than regular face creams, as they have more gentle formulas and are suitable for thin skin," the specialist said.

The cosmetologist also warned that aggressive cleansing, stretching of the skin when applying products and excessive use of active ingredients can worsen the condition of this area.

If dark circles and puffiness persist for a long time and do not depend on rest or care, it is worth contacting a specialist. According to Elisavetskaya, it is especially important to take into account the presence of other symptoms — general weakness, weight changes or other disorders of the body.

On September 2, Elizaveta Shukhman, a dermatologist and cosmetologist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about the risks of permanent masking of bags under the eyes. According to the specialist, the procedure can have a short-term visual effect, however, due to the peculiarities of the skin of the lower eyelid, it is associated with the risk of complications. Among the possible consequences, the doctor named migration of pigment, inflammation, skin tone changes, allergic reactions and difficulties in removing the product. Shukhman noted that camouflage does not eliminate the causes of bags under the eyes, such as hernias of fatty tissue, swelling or decreased skin density.