18th March 2022

Everything You Need To Know About Sunken Eyes: From Top Causes To The Best Remedy 

Last Modified: July 14, 2024

No one wants to walk around with hollowness under their eyes. But what do you do when you have sunken eyes? If this has been a concern, you are in the right place. This post covers everything you need to know about sunken eyes, from hidden causes to the most effective remedies.

How Do You Know If You Have Sunken Eyes

Sunken eyes are characterized by one or several of the following symptoms:

  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Dark bags under the eyes
  • Loose or thin skin under the eyes
  • A hollow-looking space under your lower eyelids
  • A lower eyelid that appears to sag
  • Puffiness of the lower eyelid
everything about sunken eyes

Leading Causes of Sunken Eyes 

The skin under your eyes is the most delicate, making it easily susceptible to changes and damage. Consequently, anyone can end up with sunken eyes in varying levels depending on several factors. Here are common causes of sunken eyes to watch out for.

1. Ageing

Ageing is often blamed for so much. Now, you can add sunken eyes to the list. As you get older, your skin loses collagen, the protein responsible for giving the skin strength and flexibility. One of the first places where collagen loss is most noticeable is the skin under the eyes. As a result, the sensitive skin around your eyes may begin to droop and take on a sunken appearance. 

2. Genetics

Did you know that sunken eyes can be caused by a person's genetics? If you're wondering where your under-eye hollows came from, your parents might be to blame. The position of the eyes in the sockets is due largely to genetics. The eyes' position in the eye socket is genetic. So if some of your family members has sunken eyes, you might be more susceptible to the same than the average person.

3. Dehydration

Dehydration can take a toll on your health and your skin. Dehydration could cause the appearance of sunken eyes. When dehydrated, your skin tissue loses moisture and becomes less plump. The skin around your eyes is already thinner, so any reduction in plumpness is visible relatively quickly. As a result, dehydration can cause your eye area to appear darker, sunken, or hollow.

4. Eye Injury

 Inflammation and swelling from eye trauma can make your eyes look sunken. If you have experienced eye injury recently and are noticing sunken eyes symptoms, you should have your doctor look into that.

5. Significant weight loss

Your weight loss journey might come with an unintended consequence--sunken eyes! When you shed weight, you lose it everywhere, including the fat paddings in your face. As a result, your face becomes slimmer. However, if you lose a lot of weight rapidly or too much at once, your orbital fatty tissue might atrophy. This can give your eyes that hollow effect.

6. Underlying Medical Conditions

While sunken eyes are usually not anything to worry about, there are times when they can be a sign of a bigger health concern. Certain underlying medical conditions can contribute to the appearance of sunken eyes.

A temporary condition like allergies or a sinus infection can make your eyes appear sunken and hollow. On the other hand, more severe health conditions like thyroid disease can cause under-eye hollows. Certain types of cancer may also be the culprit.

You should always seek medical advice for sunken eyes if you are concerned that they indicate a more significant health concern.

underlying medical conditions

How To Get Rid of The Appearance of Sunken Eyes

As you can see, there are many potential reasons behind the appearance of sunken eyes. That doesn't mean you can't do anything about it.

If you want to get rid of under-eye hollows, you need a two-prong approach:

  • Deal with the cause behind your sunken eyes. While this will prevent the condtion from getting worse, it many cases it does little to undo the damage caused.
  • That's why you might need step two. Find a remedy to reverse the effect or, at the very least, minimise the appearance.

Before we get down to it, if your sunken eyes are due to allergies or a sinus infection, talk to your doctor about eye drops, antihistamines, or antibiotics. Using a medication could be all you need to do. If it's due to a different cause, then that might call for a little more work.

Dealing with the cause

Ageing might not be the only thing depreciating your collagen reserves.

  1. If you smoke, quit! At first glance, it might not seem like smoking has much to do with your sunken eyes. But it does! Smoking destroys collagen. As we've already mentioned, collagen is the protein that gives your skin shape and resilience. It provides the structure that keeps your skin from sagging. When it comes to preventing and getting rid of sunken eyes as well as eye wrinkles, you can no longer afford to puff away.
  2. Beauty sleep is real! As you rest, your skin takes the time to rebuild itself. So when you cut corners on sleep, you're robbing your skin out of much-needed recharge. Worse still, you'll end up with dark circles, which only makes sunken eyes look even more apparent.
  3. Drink plenty of water and take it easy when it comes to caffeine and alcohol. These are diuretics and can dehydrate your skin. Also, replinish yor skin mositures with a quality eye cream. We recommend AluminEye as it effectively tackles the appearance of dark circles and puffiness while leaving the skin under your eyes plump and hydrated..
  4. If sunken eyes appear to worsen with time, despite trying these remedies, and if they are accompanied by other symptoms, you should go and see your doctor.

Are you tired of those stubborn under-eye dark circles? Say goodbye to panda eyes and discover effective solutions with our latest article on "How to Get Rid of Under Eye Dark Circles (And What Causes Them)." Learn the top causes behind this common concern and uncover practical tips to banish those shadows for good. 

Don't let dark circles hold you back—click here to access the article and reveal the secrets to bright, beautiful eyes. 

Undereye Filler: The Ultimate Treatment for Sunken Eyes

What if your sunken eyes are due to genetics or ageing? Sadly, you can't reverse any of these two causes. Therefore, you need to find an alternative solution. We recommend undereye filler treatment to smoothen and add volume to the under-eye area.

Our bodies naturally produce hyaluronic acid, so HA dermal fillers rarely cause severe side effects such as allergic reactions and lumps. This is a big plus for the delicate area under the eyes.

Also, thanks to the small surface area of the under-eye region, this non-surgical treatment doesn’t require loads of injections. Your procedure will be done in fifteen minutes and the benefits are noticeable as soon as it’s injected.

Learn more on our under-eye filler treatment page.

under eye filler
Under Eye Filler at Dr Aesthetica

One option people turn to is Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift. This cosmetic surgery can reduce the appearance of sunken eyes by removing the excess skin and fat from around the eyes.

But this option is not without risk. Some of the potential complications include:

  • Difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems
  • Noticeable scarring
  • Injury to eye muscles
  • Skin discolouration
  • The need for a follow-up surgery

That's why we recommend getting hyaluronic acid fillers instead. This treatment option will offer fantastic results with minimal downside. To find out if you are a good candidate for this sunken eye treatment, talk to our friendly staff today.

Post Reviewed by: Dr Baldeep Farmah
Medically Reviewed on: 18th March 2022
Dr Baldeep Farmah is the Medical Director and lead Doctor of Dr Aesthetica, a Medical Aesthetic Clinic.

"We want to empower everyone who walks through our clinic doors, to be able to look in the mirror and see a happier, brighter version of themselves."

For everyone that walks through our clinic doors, you may think you are alone, but you are not. Our patients all have a different story to tell but all come from a similar place.
Make An Appointment

Related Posts

7th March 2023
Tear Trough Filler vs Lumi Eyes: Comparing Non-Surgical Under-Eye Cosmetic Treatments

Do you feel like your eyes give away your age, even though you still feel so young and vibrant inside? If so, you are not alone. Fine lines, wrinkles and under-eye bags can make us look tired, aged, and less confident. Fortunately, there are several non-surgical treatments available here in the UK to help rejuvenate […]

Read More
19th February 2021
9 Top Tips For Making The Most of Your Tear Trough Filler Treatment

Why People Try To Get Rid Of Tear Troughs The eyes are the most striking facial feature. Many men and women find that when their eyes don’t look good, they don’t feel good. Therefore it’s no surprise that the number one complaint people have against tear troughs is how they cause under-eye indented shadows that […]

Read More
21st July 2019
Everything to Know About Getting a Tear Trough Filler

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, minimally invasive procedures such as botox and facial fillers have risen over 180% since the year 2000. People are catching on to the incredibly beneficial and non-painful ways of achieving that youthful look through getting a tear trough filler, cheek fillers, and more. Let's face it, having bags […]

Read More
birmingham medical spa practitioner

Book Your Treatment Today

We value understanding you better, so walk through our doors and tell us your story… and let us turn it into one of happiness, confidence and empowerment. Because why would you have it any other way!?
Book Now
We want to empower everyone who walks through our clinic doors, to be able to look in the mirror and see a happier, brighter version of themselves.
Dr Aesthetica, Unit 1, 1431 -1433 Bristol Rd S, Birmingham, B31 2SU
calendar-full linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram