Health & Wellness

Sunken Eyes: Causes, Symptoms, Effects, And Treatment!

Have you noticed that vibrant eyes give out energy vibes? Of course, no one likes looking exhausted all the time!


Written by Rachel Davis

On Apr 25, 2023 – 8 minutes read

Sunken Eyes Causes, Symptoms, Effects, And Treatment!

Audrey Hepburn once said, “The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides”. True, right? Men or women, we just love to have beautiful, expressive eyes. But what happens when they appear hollow or exhausted? It can affect both our external appearance and internal confidence. If you’re here, we guess you are looking for solutions for your sunken eyes.

Worry no more. We got you! Read on to know about the causes, effects, symptoms, and some home remedies. 

What Are Sunken Eyes?

It is a type of eye condition that affects the area of the skin behind the eyes. Sunken eyes can cause around-eye hollowness, under-eye dark circles, and dark shadows on the lower eyelids. There are many factors that can cause this disease. The common ones include:

  • Lack of hydration
  • Lack of sleep
  • Any underlying medical condition 
  • Aging
What Are Sunken Eyes?

Because the skin behind the eyes is so sensitive, it may sometimes seem hollow with black shadows under the region. If you have sunken eyes, you will most likely notice the following:

What Deficiency Causes Sunken Eyes?

Sunken eyes can occur in people who are malnourished in general. Deficiency of vitamin C, K, or iron can cause this condition. According to Google, eating vegetables like watermelon, celery, and cucumber can assist. Essentially, the flushing removes extra water, which helps to minimize puffiness and dark circles beneath the eyes.

What Are the Symptoms of Sunken Eyes?

It is also known as “tear trough hollows” or “under-eye hollows.” Most individuals will see sunken and dark eyes by their late 30s and early 40s. If your sunken eyes deepen despite your efforts to get more sleep and drink more water, or if other symptoms accompany them, you should see a doctor.

You will most likely observe sunken eyes when you look into the mirror. While the precise look varies from person to person, the main characteristics are:

Tell your doctor if you have any additional symptoms, such as nasal congestion,(1) itchy eyes, or exhaustion, or if you have recently lost weight. Your doctor may conduct lab tests based on your symptoms to determine what’s causing your sunken eyes.

What Causes Sunken Eyes?

A variety of factors may cause sunken eyes. Most of the time, it is not seen as a medical issue. Some of the most common reasons are:

Aging

We lose fat and bone density throughout our bodies, especially our faces, as we age. The supporting pillars that keep everything together are likewise deteriorating. The skin thins and becomes more transparent as it loses collagen. The procedure includes a hollowing of the face around the eyes.

Dramatic Weight Loss

Weight loss can also be a reason for sunken eyes. Losing fat around the eyes can result in blood vessels being more visible, which can make the area under your eyes look sunken.

Genetics

You might blame your parents for your eye woes. If other members of your family have black eyes, it can just be a genetic trait.

Poor Sleep

Sleep deprivation or a lack of sleep is a widespread issue in today’s culture. Getting fewer than seven hours of undisturbed sleep might harm your looks.

poor sleep

Sinus Infections

Sinus inflammation (2) or infection, known as sinusitis, may cause your eyes to seem dark and hollow. Other signs of a sinus infection include pressure, discomfort, and nasal congestion. If you believe you have a sinus infection, you should see your doctor.

Smoking

Smoking also can be a cause of sunken eyes. In the case of an additive smoker, this habit can be a group of enzymes called MMP, which can, in turn, reduce the collagen in our body. Collagen is a protein associated with the elasticity of our skin. That is higher the collagen, the more youthful your skin appears. Therefore, when the college level is decreased the skin will appear sagging, thus causing sunken eyes.

How Do I Get Rid of Sunken Eyes?

A sunken eye is caused by age, poor lifestyle choices, a lack of relaxation, and excessive sun exposure. Although it needs specialized medical treatment, you may alleviate the dark circles and eliminate the sunken eyes with minimum effort. Sunken eye exercise can also help you get rid of it up to some extent. Other ways you can try are:

Sleep Like a Log

Fix your sleep schedule and get enough sleep to help your sunken eyes recuperate. Schedule your bedtime and wake-up times and adhere to them. Make it a point to get at least 7 hours of sleep every day. 

Almond Oil to Your Rescue

The skin behind the eyes is particularly prone to nutrition loss. Apply almond oil beneath the eyes many times each day. Almond oil is high in Nutrient E, (3) which is a skin-nourishing vitamin.

almond oil

Alternatively, you can use vitamin E pills. Purchase an OTC vitamin E pill, tear it open, and apply the oil to the eyes.

Raw Potatoes Juices 

Slice the potatoes and apply them to the afflicted area for around 20 minutes. Alternatively, you may apply raw potato juice straight to the hollow places. The skin will soften, and the pigmented patches will improve noticeably.

Green Tea Bags 

High in antioxidants and flavonoids, green tea bags improve eyes by increasing blood circulation and can help with sunken eyes. Improved blood circulation replenishes the sore and darker skin. It also calms the nervous system and relaxes the eyes. You may alternate between using heated and cold tea bags. It is preferable if you can use green tea bags. 

Sunscreen With Moisturizing Properties

Never go outside in the sun without using good quality sunscreen. To avoid additional harm to the eyes, invest in a high-quality moisturizing sunscreen. Look for sunscreen with an SPF of above 30.

sun cream

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is a natural moisturizer, and It improves skin tone and radiance. It may treat dark circles with sandalwood paste or essential oils. In any case, it reduces dark circles, calms tired skin, and provides regenerated skin.

Cold-Water Spray

Here’s another way to enhance blood circulation in your face and thereby reduce the appearance of sunken eyes. Spray cold water over your face. Even flowing water would suffice! During summers, wash your face several times a day to get rid of dirt and sweat. 

Cucumber Juice

Cucumber is an essential component of every eye-healing treatment. Rest your eyes by laying sliced cucumber on them, and you will awaken with fresh, refreshed, and lively eyes. You can even use cucumber juices twice or thrice a week on your face to keep it glowing and oil-free.

Creams

There are several Sunken eyes creams available in the market. These creams are designed to tackle under-eye cosmetic problems. Apart from it, petroleum jelly will assist you in keeping your eyes from contacting your face. Petroleum jelly is believed to hydrate the skin and even fight aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines. Simply massage it into your under-eye region. Allow it to sit for a day.

How Are Sunken Eyes Treated in a Hospital?

Due to aging, major and minor surgical therapies are available for people with sunken eyes. Of course, no operation is without hazards, so be cautious and educated if you’re thinking about having surgery.

Dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Perlane require injecting hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring material, into the tissue behind the eye. Fillers are normally painless and take a few minutes to inject, but they don’t stay forever, so you’ll need to have the treatment performed every year or two.

How Are Sunken Eyes Treated In A Hospital

One may improve sunken eyes with cosmetic surgery such as brow lifts, blepharoplasty (lower eyelid surgery), and facelifts. These procedures are more intrusive than dermal fillers and need a longer recovery period. They may, however, provide a more long-term cure to the eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid Sunken Eyes?

Other than maintaining a larger bodyweight than you may be used to as you age in the expectation that the fat in your face would remain there under the eyes, which it may not —you can’t.

Is it true that losing weight causes hollow eyes?

In general, hollow eyes are more likely to be caused by aging and heredity. However, when you lose fat, you lose fat globally—that is, from your face and your body—so severe weight loss may exacerbate the look of hollowness.

Sunken eyes: How can I get rid of them for good?

Unfortunately, in non-surgical terms, we can do nothing to correct the look of sunken eyes permanently. However, a lower blepharoplasty (also known as a lower-eye lift) might surgically enhance the region’s appearance. A year of cautious therapy with injectable fillers should enhance the region.

What are the most effective tear-through exercises?

Some individuals believe that face workouts for the eyes may help, but we are not persuaded. We do not confirm how well they work because the volume loss around the eyes is mostly caused by fat loss, not muscle loss. When you consider how we lose bone in the tear trough as we age, it’s difficult to see how any activity can promise to enhance volume in the eye region.

Can I heal sunken eyes with skincare?

No, skincare will not assist in volumizing a face that is beginning to seem haggard. It will only make the skin seem softer and less wrinkled. Some lotions and cosmetics claim to have a ‘plumping’ effect, but they mean plumping up the skin but they will not rebuild the volume that has been lost under the surface.

Conclusion

Sunken eyes are a regular part of the aging process for most individuals. Therefore the main issue is your physical appearance and self-esteem. Dermal fillers and moisturizers are ways to help make them look better. If you have other symptoms besides sunken eyes, you should see your doctor.

  1. WebMD LLC. (2005 - 2022). How to Treat Nasal Congestion and Sinus Pressure. [Online] Available at:

    https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-congestion
  2. Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Sinus Infection. [Online] Available at:

    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis
  3. ResearchGate GmbH. (2008-2022). The nutritional and health benefits of almonds: a healthy food choice. [Online] Available at:

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250058086_The_nutritional_and_health_benefits_of_almonds_a_healthy_food_choice

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Rachel

Hi! I am Rachel; a mom and a hair and makeup artist. I am very old-school and I love sharing my experiences on parenting, marriage, and daily life hacks. What is more fun than that! I believe that to take care of anything, you have to love and give your heart and soul to it. Writing has been my passion ever since I was little and it’s the best way I express myself – my thoughts and dreams. Here, I write about everything that I love.

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