How To Get Rid Of Stress-Induced Dark Circles

For more than a year now, most people have been working from home.

Health and wellbeing has been uppermost in our minds since the onset of the pandemic. Though larger health issues such as building immunity levels, adopting safety and hygiene to keep Covid-19 at bay and keeping ourselves physically and mentally fit have gained prominence, simple health issues often escape our notice. The tremendous increase in screen time and haywire sleep schedules, have led to a widespread prevalence of dark circles in most people.

For more than a year now, most people have been working from home. This means being parked in front of the computer day in and day out, frequently checking phones for emails or social media notifications, and watching numerous series and movies for alleged ‘downtime’. Activities that were once considered normal such as meeting people and spending time outdoors came to a complete halt for prolonged periods of time. Data have also recorded an increase in junk food consumption and decrease in the frequency of exercise, in this period. These stark lifestyle changes are bound to result in stress. Dark circles that have become prominent during the pandemic are mostly due to stress and excessive fatigue, often exacerbated by genetics or underlying diseases.

Dr Syed Nazim, Dermatologist and Aesthetic & Hair Transplant Surgeon at Royal Lush Clinic, Saket, New Delhi, was consulted by over 500 people in the last year with severe dark circles and puffy eyelid problems. He says, “With time, the skin naturally loses its collagen and begins to grow thinner. Therefore, it is natural to see dark circles under your eyes when you begin to age. Sometimes it can happen through excessive exposure to the sun or other environmental factors. In some cases, dark circles can be caused by allergies or some underlying disease. But for most young people, living in urban metros, the cause is definitely stress, fatigue, and skewed sleeping patterns.”

As such, under eye dark circles have the potential to impact everyone, no matter their age and situation in life. Those living in cities or other urban areas, however, are worst affected as the they might be living alone, working day and night and more often than not, following unhealthy lifestyles. This applies to both men and women.

In this digital age, screen time is the biggest culprit of dark circles. Dr Nazim explains the scientific reason behind this. “The artificial light coming from screens whisks away the moisture of the skin, further leading to the breakdown of collagen which is responsible for keeping the skin tight and young. Due to this delay in the microcirculation of blood, the strain felt on the eyes melts the fat pockets, causing hollows to appear in that area,” he says.

If you have noticed an increase in dark circles and puffy under-eyes, you can follow these tips, shared by Dr Nazim, on preventing and reducing the starkness of their appearance:

· Introduce major lifestyle changes:

Drinking too much alcohol or smoking can lead to puffiness due to extra water retention. So you should limit the intake of alcohol and cigarettes.

· Drink lots of water:

Hydration is the key to many health-related problems. It is imperative to drink at least 8-9 glasses of water every day.

· Limit your screen time:

Try to take frequent breaks from your digital screen. If that is not possible, you can try alternatives, such as switching the screen to night mode on the phone or using yellow light instead. These measures reduce the consequences instantly and to a large extent.

· Get enough sleep:

It is recommended that adults should get 7-8 hours of sleep a day. Sleep relaxes your mind and body. You can also apply an effective under-eye cream 30 to 40 minutes before going to bed. Try to choose products which contain Vitamin K, C , and E.

· Apply Sunscreen:

Exposure to the sun speeds up the process of the breakdown of collagen, so you must apply sunscreen whenever you are planning to step out of your home or wear dark shades to block UV rays. Also, don’t forget to moisturize your skin at least twice daily.

· Try Home Remedies:

You can turn to some age-old remedies if the situation is not too bad. Take a slice of cold cucumber and place it on each eye for 20-30 mins. Cucumbers are packed with vitamin K that can reduce puffiness and will make you feel fresh. Similarly, you can use cold tea bags for 10-15 mins on each eye. This helps in shrinking blood vessels and might reduce fluid retention due to antioxidant and caffeine, additionally reducing puffiness.

· Visit a dermatologist:

The most important point here is to visit a specialist when you first notice signs to stop them from getting worse. There are numerous causes of under-eye dark circles but only a certified dermatologist can help you in understanding the real problem and suggest the right treatment.