Dr Joseph Allen, an optometrist and leading expert in eye health, said there are misconceptions about the causes of bags under the eyes

An eye health expert has debunked some common myths about what causes bags and dark circles under the eyes, revealing that lack of sleep isn’t always to blame. Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast, hosted by Steven Bartlett, Dr Joseph Allen shared his insights.

As an optometrist and leading authority in eye health, Dr Allen is also the creator of the ‘Doctor Eye Health’ YouTube channel and host of the ‘Eye Give A Damn!’ podcast. He explained that there are often misconceptions about the causes of under-eye bags, which are frequently attributed to stress and lack of sleep, but research suggests this isn’t always the case.

Dr Allen clarified that there’s a difference between under-eye bags and dark circles, with the latter often influenced by skin pigmentation. “Having dark circles under the eyes is technically different than having under eye bags. But if you have under eye bags it’ll make the appearance of dark circles worse,” he said.

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The expert also warned that sunlight can darken the sensitive skin around the eyelids. He emphasised the importance of protecting your eyes from the sun with sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat, as the lower eyelid is susceptible to skin cancer, reports the Mirror.

Vascular changes, such as the widening of blood vessels due to allergies, can make dark circles more visible, especially in those with lighter skin tones. Additionally, the shape of your brow and eye socket can create shadows that further emphasise dark circles.

The presence of under-eye bags can exacerbate this issue, according to Dr Allen. Swelling around the eyelids can occur for a variety of reasons, including allergies or consuming too much salt.

Eating salty foods may cause temporary swelling, but using cold compresses can help alleviate it. Dr Allen also pointed out that there is evidence suggesting a high-salt diet can increase the likelihood of waking up with bags under the eyes.

Dark circles under the eyes are often associated with lack of sleep. Research shows that while insufficient sleep doesn’t actually change the appearance of dark circles, it can affect how people perceive their own looks.

Stress and lack of sleep are commonly believed to cause dark circles or puffiness around the eyes. However, recent studies suggest these factors may not directly affect the actual pigmentation of the eyelids. Instead, other physiological changes, such as the release of cortisol and inflammation, could be contributing factors.

Self care remedies:

Mild to moderate dark circles usually improve with some good habits and home remedies, like:

• Using sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Many moisturisers contain sunscreen.
• Avoiding drinking too much alcohol: Alcohol overuse may contribute to dark circles under the eyes.
• Stopping smoking: If you smoke, try to quit. There are many options for stop-smoking services and products to help you quit.

Do cucumbers help with eye bags?

When asked by Steven Bartlett about the effectiveness of cucumbers on eye skin appearance, Dr Allen confirmed their benefits, albeit temporary ones. He detailed that applying cold compresses like cucumbers can briefly diminish dark circles and puffiness by constricting blood vessels and lessening swelling.

“The coolness effect is causing restriction of blood vessels,” Dr Allen remarked. “It’s going to be helping the tissue come down and swelling. Just like if you bang your knee or elbow really hard on something, it swells and there’s a little bit inflammation.

“So putting cold on there can help momentarily.” He did caution against using them for more than 15 minutes to prevent further inflammation.

Do eye creams work?

The doctor also stressed the importance of good sleep, adequate nutrition, and staying hydrated as key preventative measures against dark circles and eye bags due to their overall positive impacts on the body. Concerning eye creams, he suggested those troubled with dark areas and eye puffiness give these products a try.

However, consulting a healthcare professional such as a dermatologist or eye care specialist for superior guidance is advisable. A number of eye creams available are designed to help reduce the visibility of blood vessels and address pigmentation issues, but commitment to regular use over an extended time frame is necessary to achieve noticeable results.

If non-invasive treatments don’t do the trick, there are surgical procedures available that can improve the appearance of under-eye bags and dark circles. These include light therapies to remove pigmentation, hyaluronic acid fillers to lessen shadowing, and blepharoplasty, an eyelid surgery performed by an ophthalmologist.