If you have dark circles and bags under your eyes, you’re probably in a hurry to find ways to get rid of them. Nobody wants to look like a zombie or a raccoon — unless it’s Halloween. On the other 364 days of the year, dark circles and under-eye bags can really cramp your style.
In this post, the skin care experts at SiO will explain the difference between dark circles and under-eye bags in men, cover the causes of these conditions, and then provide 12 simple tips that will help you minimize the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags to reveal smoother, younger-looking skin.
What’s The Difference Between Dark Circles And Under-Eye Bags?
First things first: what’s the difference between dark circles and under-eye bags? The conditions are similar but differ slightly in their appearance.
Dark circles are just what they sound like: those dark half-moons that sit beneath your eyes (and sometimes above, too). Dark circles are pretty straightforward. They are what they’re called.
So what are bags under eyes and what do they look like in men? Under-eye bags are patches of puffy or droopy skin that appear right underneath your eyes. Along with bags under their eyes, men may also experience some skin discoloration.
In other words, you can have both dark circles and under-eye bags at the same time. If this is you, don’t stress. Keep reading to find out how to get rid of these unsightly conditions.
What Causes Those Under-Eye Bags And Dark Circles Men Can’t Stand?
There are several factors that can lead to dark circles and bags under eyes in men. Let’s have a look at the four most common causes.
Allergies
First up is allergies. If you have hay fever or are sensitive to things like dust, pet dander, and smoke, then allergies may be causing the dark circles and bags under your eyes.
This occurs because your body releases a chemical called histamine after an allergic reaction takes place. That extra fluid can lead to puffy eyes, dark circles, and under-eye bags for men.
Too Little Sleep
Inadequate sleep is the most notorious of all the factors that contribute to the dark circles men all want to get rid of. When you don’t sleep enough, the blood vessels underneath your eyes may become dilated, which basically means they fill with extra blood.
The skin underneath your eyes is some of the thinnest you have — approximately 0.5 mm thick, compared to an average of 2 mm thick on the rest of your body. This means that dilated blood vessels are easily seen through the thin skin under your eyes.
Since blood vessels are full of dark red blood, they often appear as black or brown shadows to an outside observer.
Genetics
As with many physical conditions, your genes are a major contributor to the dark circles and bags under your eyes. While you can’t change your DNA, you might feel a bit better knowing you can blame Mom and Dad for your unsightly dark circles.
Aging
Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news, but someone has to state the facts: as you get older, your skin becomes worn out and thin. This occurs because, over time, your skin begins producing fewer of the proteins it needs to stay healthy, plump, and firm.
But there’s good news to be had, as well. With SiO smoothing patches, you can fight and help reverse the effects of aging.
Made from the finest medical-grade silicone, SiO smoothing patches help to boost the moisture content in your skin, giving you a younger, healthier appearance.
Try the SiO For Him FaceLift to treat those wrinkles and bags under your eyes as quickly and easily as possible.
12 Expert Tips For Minimizing Dark Circles And Under-Eye Bags
Healthy skin means good-looking skin and less noticeable under-eye bags and dark circles. There are lots of steps you can take to work toward healthier skin overall.
Whether you want to learn how to exfoliate, need some general skin care tips, or are looking for help in dealing with your forehead wrinkles, we’ve got you covered.
But of course, there are some specific steps men can take to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags and dark circles. So, without further ado, here are our top 12 most effective tips.
1) Apply A Cold Compress
A “cold compress” is just a fancy way of saying “something cold.” You know how in the old days people used to put a cold steak on their eye if they got hit with a baseball? Same idea. That counts as a cold compress.
To keep things really simple: just put cold stuff over your eyes to get rid of dark circles and under-eye bags. You might consider using spoons or a cold cloth you’ve left in the freezer for a while.
You can also use cucumbers if you’re feeling fancy and want the at-home spa experience.
2) Treat Your Allergies
Remember how allergies can cause dark circles and bags under your eyes? It’s for that exact reason that treating your allergies will help you minimize those frustrating issues.
A daily dose of an over-the-counter allergy medicine will normally do the trick. If you’re taking allergy medicine every day and still having allergy problems, it’s time to talk to a doctor.
3) Moisturize
You might be wondering what moisturizing has to do with dark circles. The answer? Pretty much everything.
Regularly moisturizing your skin will help keep it plump and full of moisture, which makes dilated blood vessels less visible. Apply moisturizer at least twice per day.
Another way to keep your skin moisturized, hydrated, and in tip-top shape? Use SiO patches.
They lock in hydration overnight and help your skin retain moisture and collagen, which are both crucial components in maintaining younger-looking skin. But not only that — SiO patches also visibly reduce signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines. That’s a win-win!
4) Protect Yourself From The Sun
The summer months bring lake days and yard work and beach trips with the family. That’s a lot of time outside in the sun — which is all well and good until you start dealing with sunburn and sun damage.
Sun damage is more than just the occasional uncomfortable sunburn. Sun exposure damages your skin on a deeper level and leaves you prone to premature wrinkling.
Fortunately, protecting yourself from sun damage is as easy as remembering to apply sunscreen anytime you’ll be outside.
Another way you can protect yourself from the sun and target the wrinkles around your eyes? Provide your face with some shade. Grab your sunglasses or a baseball cap before heading outside. Your eyes will thank you for it.
5) Be Gentle With Your Skin
No matter how manly of a man you are, you need to be gentle with your skin. This means lathering cleansers on carefully, patting your face dry with a soft towel, and never rubbing or pulling at the skin around your eyes.
Expert tip: It’s generally a good idea to keep your hands off your face, especially if you struggle with oily skin. Your hands can spread oil and germs to your skin, so try to kick the habit of touching your face.
6) Apply Eye Cream
Most guys aren’t really into applying a bunch of skin care products, but if you’re serious about making dark circles and under-eye bags a thing of the past, you need to start a skin care routine and begin using eye cream.
Find an eye cream with retinol and hyaluronic acid, as well as some vitamins (B, C, and E are all great). Just dab a tiny bit around your eyes every morning before starting your day or in the evening before bed.
The other times of the day (when you haven’t recently applied eye cream), try SiO smoothing patches. SiO's Super EyeLift patches for men, included in the SiO For Him FaceLift, are perfect for treating the bags and wrinkles under your eyes.
And remember, your reusable SiO smoothing patches can be applied in the morning, at night, or when you have some downtime, but not immediately following eye cream or other products applied under your eyes.
7) Get Plenty Of Sleep
This is another tip that might seem somewhat obvious but is so important it bears repeating. Get plenty of sleep to help treat and prevent dark circles. Sleep no less than six hours per night; seven or eight hours is ideal.
Expert tip: Sleep on your back with your head elevated to keep fluids from accumulating in the thin skin underneath your eyes.
While we’re talking about sleeping, we’ll go ahead and mention that getting enough sleep is more than just a short-term fix for dark circles and under-eye bags. Skin repairs itself while you sleep, so if you don’t get enough shut-eye, over time you’ll be more likely to develop wrinkles.
8) Watch What You Eat
It’s no secret that your diet has a huge impact on your overall health. This includes your skin. Eat as many fruits and veggies as possible, and cut down on junk food and alcohol.
It’s especially important to keep your salt intake low. Salt helps your body retain moisture, which can lead to a buildup of fluid under your eyes and cause dark circles or under-eye bags.
9) Put Down The Cigarettes
Daily habits (like getting enough sleep and eating right) have a big effect on your skin and on those shadows and bags under your eyes. Smoking is another habit that directly affects your skin.
This unhealthy habit breaks down the components of your skin that slow down wrinkle production. The more you smoke the more quickly you’ll develop wrinkles.
So if you’re serious about doing away with under-eye bags, get serious about doing away with the cigarettes. Your eyes (and the rest of your skin) will be healthier and younger-looking.
10) Make A DIY Face Mask
Don’t think that facial masks are just for women. They’re also for you if you want healthier and more handsome skin.
Using a mask deeply hydrates your face and leaves your skin healthier and smoother in just ten or twenty minutes.
A DIY face mask cleanses your skin of antioxidants and provides it with loads of essential nutrients. Be open-minded and give it a shot, guys. You can make a homemade face mask out of everything from avocado and papaya to yogurt and mud.
11) Gently Massage Your Eyes
Using your ring and pinky fingers, gently massage the skin around your eyes. This helps to keep fluids and blood from building up in your blood vessels. Remember to be gentle. We recommend giving yourself a five-minute eye massage after you’ve applied a cold compress.
12) Try SiO Smoothing Patches
If you want to take your skin care game to the next level, start wearing SiO smoothing patches while you sleep. All you need to do is put them on before bed, get a good night’s sleep, and then wake up to healthier, younger-looking skin. That’s all there is to it!
The reusable patches in SiO's For Him FaceLift are perfect for fighting the bags under your eyes. These patches provide a huge boost of moisture, leaving you with smoother, younger-looking skin. Get started with SiO smoothing patches tonight.
Now you know the causes of the under-eye bags and dark circles you’ve been looking at in the mirror. The ball is in your court.
It’s time to get serious and take care of the skin around your eyes.
Get in bed on time; pay attention to your allergies and your diet; and take care of your skin with sunscreen, moisturizers, SiO patches — and maybe even a mask or eye cream if you’re up for it.
Stop waiting around. Ramp up your skin care game today!
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