Video Story
Watch VideoThere might be a reason why those bags are under eyes when you wake up
Dr. John
We've all gotten them from time to time, but do dark rings under your eyes mean your tired, and what can you do about them? Dr. John has the answer.
It's true, you see someone with dark circles and what's the first thing you think, they're tired, right.
But that's another one of those medical myths. Those dark circles don't come from lack of sleep, but more from how you sleep, and some medical conditions you might have.
It's a very common condition and one that can cause you to not want to look in the mirror right after you wake up. But those "bags" more often than not come from the fact we all sleep horizontally or flat in our beds. That lets the fluids in your body get to places gravity during the day keeps them from, mainly your face. And one of the best places for them to build up after a good nights sleep is right under your eyes. Add to this a lack of makeup and the strong bathroom lights first thing in the morning and you can see those dark circles loud and clear when you look in the mirror.
A few other things can help make those bags a little worse. Congestion, a cold or even sniffles from allergies can all help add a little more bagginess and darkness under your eyes. If those bags seem to come on suddenly and don't want to go away, you also need to think of a couple of medical conditions, especially kidney or liver disease.
But what can you do to lighten up those dark circles? First make sure you get your allergies under control, that's probably your best step. Then cut out salt from your diet, and finally, try sleeping with a thicker pillow if your neck can take it, that'll cut back on fluid to that area.
