In most cases, sunken eyes are a cosmetic, not a medical, problem. They can make you look tired and worn out, which can lead to insecurity.
This article explains the causes of sunken eyes and offers tips on how to correct them through lifestyle changes, cosmetic treatments, or surgery.
What are sunken eyes?
Sunken eyes (also called tear troughs) are a genetically determined or acquired condition characterized by dark circles and depressions under the eyes. They can make you look unattractive and tired and can negatively impact your social and psychological well-being.
Symptoms of Sunken Eyes
Sunken eyes manifest as one or more of the following symptoms:
Dark circles under the eyes
Dark circles under the lower eyelids
Depressed eye area
Sunken eye sockets
Drooping lower eyelids
Thin, translucent skin and visible blood vessels under the eyes
Note: You can find our recommendation for the best eye creams for dark circles here.
What Causes Sunken Eyes?
Common causes of sunken eyes are medically harmless and include:
Genetics: Genes determine the position of the eyes in the eye sockets, so the appearance of sunken eyes can be hereditary.
Aging: As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin smooth and firm. This loss is the primary reason why our skin becomes thinner and looser, and the bones of the eye sockets recede, creating a hollow appearance.
Nutrient deficiencies: Malnutrition and an unhealthy diet cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which contribute to collagen loss and the appearance of sunken eyes. This is especially true for people deficient in vitamins C, K, E, B12, and iron.
Dehydration: Insufficient fluid intake leads to collagen loss, thin, dry skin, and potentially sunken eyes.
Sun exposure: UV rays accelerate collagen breakdown and contribute to many signs of premature skin aging, including sunken eyes.
Sleep problems: Lack of sleep and sleep interruptions often cause dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.
Weight loss: The face is one of the first areas of the body to lose volume when losing weight. This can exacerbate dark circles, especially with rapid weight loss.
Smoking: Nicotine breaks down collagen and elastin, causing sagging, dark circles, and puffiness under the eyes.
Allergies: Seasonal and other allergies cause nasal congestion, which leads to dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.
Sinusitis: Similar to allergies, sinusitis can affect the skin under the eyes, causing them to appear sunken.
Horner’s syndrome: This rare neurological syndrome affects one or both eyes. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as drooping eyelids and constricted pupils.
Thyroid disorders: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause symptoms of sunken eyes, such as dark circles and sunken eyeballs. How to get rid of sunken eyes naturally:
There are several ways to naturally reduce or eliminate sunken eyes, depending on the cause.
Change your lifestyle:
Specialized skincare achieves the best results when combined with lifestyle changes. Try to eliminate or reduce harmful habits and introduce healthy ones to improve your skin’s appearance and overall well-being.
Drink plenty of water: Experts agree that about eight glasses of water a day is optimal. Adequate hydration, combined with a moisturizing eye cream, rejuvenates the skin around the eyes and reduces the appearance of tired, puffy eyes.
Eat a nutrient-rich diet: Nutrient-rich foods promote collagen production, help eliminate toxins, and improve skin tone and texture. Eat at least four servings of vegetables daily, especially leafy greens such as broccoli, cabbage, celery, and lettuce.
Get enough sleep: During sleep, the body eliminates toxins, reduces inflammation, and regenerates. Scientists recommend seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep per night for overall well-being and a refreshed appearance.
Quit smoking: Tobacco smoke leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. After quitting smoking, you will notice a rapid improvement in your skin’s appearance. Giving up this harmful habit helps reduce dark circles and also lowers the risk of lung cancer and other serious illnesses.
Using Home Remedies
Experience has shown that some home remedies can refresh the eye area and reduce dark circles.
Tea Bags: Boil two tea bags for five minutes and place them under your eyes after they have cooled. Tea contains antioxidants and flavonoids, which promote blood circulation and provide a temporary refreshing sensation. Cucumber Slices: Place a cucumber slice under each eye to refresh the area and reduce dark circles. Treating Sunken Eyes
In addition to improving your lifestyle habits, a more effective cosmetic solution can be helpful. The following products and treatments are excellent for correcting sunken eyes.
Skincare Products
Daily skincare is important to prevent signs of aging and maintain a smooth complexion. If you have sunken eyes, add an eye cream to your skincare routine. Use ingredients that moisturize and reduce dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles:
Hyaluronic acid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Retinol
Caffeine
Alastin Eye Restorative Treatment is an excellent product for the delicate eye area and counteracts the aesthetic concerns of sunken eyes.
Sunscreen is the best prevention against all sun-related skin problems, including sunken eyes. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ as the last step in your morning skincare routine. Elta MD UV Daily is among the best sunscreens due to its strong protection and moisturizing properties and is recommended by many beauty magazines.
Note: Read our guide to choosing the best sunscreen.
Non-surgical cosmetic treatments
If targeted skincare and lifestyle changes don’t bring improvement, consult an aesthetic doctor or esthetician about non-surgical treatment options for sunken eyes. The Vibrant Skin Bar team recommends the following treatments.
Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers are injectable treatments in which sunken areas of the face are filled with a gel-like substance to restore lost volume. Fillers for dark circles often contain hyaluronic acid, which moisturizes, plumps, and rejuvenates the skin. The treatment is minimally invasive, quick, and requires no downtime.
Laser treatment: A laser delivers light energy to the skin, stimulating collagen production, regenerating cells, and improving various skin problems. Laser treatment for sunken eyes helps restore lost volume and smooth the eye area.
Microneedling: Microneedling is another popular cosmetic treatment for the eye area. It uses very fine needles to create micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production. Microneedling effectively reduces dark circles, puffiness, and other signs of aging. PRF and EZGel Injections: PRF and EZGel, a new generation of anti-aging injectables, are made from your own blood and contain a high concentration of platelets and growth factors that are slowly released into the tissue to rejuvenate the skin. They are excellent for treating tear troughs.
Massage: Facial massage and lymphatic drainage effectively promote blood circulation, remove toxins, and improve skin problems such as dryness and dark circles. Those who wish to avoid invasive treatments can try this holistic approach.
Cosmetic Surgery:
For those who desire long-term results for sunken eyes, cosmetic surgery is the best option. While it carries higher risks and a longer recovery time than non-invasive cosmetic treatments, the results are significantly more impressive. Surgical methods for sunken eyes include:
Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty): This procedure removes excess skin and fat tissue around the eyelids.
Autologous fat transfer: In this procedure, fat is taken from another area of the body and injected into the eye area. Tear duct implants: In this procedure, silicone implants are inserted into the tear ducts.
Medications:
If allergies or sinusitis are causing dark circles under the eyes and a tired appearance, medications such as antihistamines or antibiotics, which treat the underlying cause, can provide relief. Discuss the best solution with your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
Sometimes sunken eyes are a sign of a more serious condition that requires medical attention. If dark circles and puffiness don’t disappear after months of using the tips mentioned above, or if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as a stuffy nose, pain, fatigue, and sudden weight loss, you should consult your doctor. They will assess your overall health and order lab tests to determine the cause of your condition.
Sunken Eyes: Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions and answers will help you assess your condition and find the best solution for your sunken eyes.
What causes sunken eyes?
Sunken eyes can be caused by harmless genetic or lifestyle factors (such as bone structure, aging, or lack of sleep) or they can be a sign of an underlying condition (e.g., sinusitis, thyroid disease).
What deficiency causes sunken eyes?
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause sunken eyes. Commonly lacking nutrients include vitamins C, E, K, and B12, as well as iron. Note: Learn which vitamins and minerals are the best antioxidants for skincare and how they contribute to improved skin appearance.
Are sunken eyes a sign of dehydration?
In some cases, sunken eyes are due to dehydration. If this leads to dark circles under the eyes, drinking more water and using artificial tears can provide relief.
What is the difference between ptosis and enophthalmos?
Enophthalmos is a medical term for sunken eyes caused by conditions such as bone fractures, sinusitis, vascular problems, etc., and requires medical treatment. Ptosis is a medical term for drooping of the upper eyelid caused by muscle atrophy due to aging, injury, or eye disease.
Conclusion:
Sunken eyes can affect self-esteem and sometimes lead to anxiety and depression. There are many ways to improve your complexion yourself. However, if you don’t see results, we’re here to help.
Our fantastic team at Vibrant Skin Bar is happy to advise you on fast, safe, and effective solutions for your skin concerns. Contact us today and begin your journey to younger, more radiant skin!