Dark circles and puffiness, often called “eyebags,” beneath the eyes are common during adolescence. This discoloration is noticeable because the skin under the eyes is the thinnest on the entire body, measuring only about 0.5 millimeters thick. This extreme thinness makes underlying structures, such as blood vessels and bone contours, more visible. While often associated with aging, these changes at age 13 usually stem from a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors that are rarely serious.
The Most Common Lifestyle Contributors
A primary cause of under-eye discoloration in teenagers is chronic sleep debt, common during the academic and social pressures of middle school. When the body lacks sufficient rest, blood vessels in the thin under-eye tissue dilate. This dilation, combined with the paleness of fatigue, makes deoxygenated blood appear darker, resulting in a bluish or purplish shadow.
Dietary habits also influence the appearance of puffiness, or edema, around the eyes. Consuming foods high in sodium causes the body to retain water to balance the salt concentration. This fluid accumulation is noticeable beneath the eyes, where the delicate skin easily swells, creating the characteristic “bags.” Similarly, inadequate water intake, or dehydration, can cause the skin to lose plumpness. This makes the orbital bone contour more prominent, causing the eyes to appear sunken and shadowed.
Excessive screen time contributes to the issue through multiple mechanisms. The blue light emitted by these devices can interfere with melatonin production, disrupting the sleep-wake cycle and sleep quality. Furthermore, staring intently at screens reduces blinking, leading to eye strain and dryness. This strain causes localized vascular congestion, where blood pools, making the vessels beneath the thin skin appear engorged and dark.
Physiological and Environmental Factors
Sometimes, dark circles are simply a matter of inherited anatomy or skin pigmentation. Genetics dictates the thinness of the skin around the eyes and the density of the underlying tissue. Individuals who inherit naturally thin under-eye skin or a deep tear trough (the groove between the lower eyelid and the cheek) may have permanent shadows created by light reflecting off their bone structure. The darkness can also be caused by periorbital hyperpigmentation, a genetic predisposition to increased melanin production in the lower eyelid area, which is more prevalent in darker skin tones.
Chronic allergies and sinus problems are a frequent, non-lifestyle cause known as “allergic shiners.” Nasal congestion, often due to hay fever or dust allergies, slows the drainage of blood from the small veins around the sinuses and eyes. This venous stasis causes the blood to pool and the vessels to dilate, creating a purplish, bruise-like discoloration visible through the skin. Since teenagers often rub itchy eyes, this physical irritation can compound the issue by increasing inflammation and local pigmentation.
Adolescence is defined by significant hormonal shifts, which can indirectly affect under-eye appearance. Rapid fluctuations of hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, can influence the skin’s overall pigmentation and sleep patterns. Elevated cortisol, a stress hormone, can lead to fluid retention and inflammation. Changes in melanin can also trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, contributing to darker circles.
Practical Strategies for Improvement and When to Worry
Addressing lifestyle factors is the most direct way to improve the appearance of eyebags and dark circles. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule that provides the recommended 8 to 10 hours of rest is foundational. This allows blood vessels to constrict and fluid to drain. To aid fluid drainage further, try elevating the head slightly while sleeping using an extra pillow, which prevents fluid from pooling in the lower eyelids.
Simple physical interventions can provide immediate, temporary relief by reducing puffiness and constricting dilated blood vessels. Applying a cold compress, such as a chilled teaspoon or a cloth-wrapped bag of frozen peas, for about ten minutes can shrink the vessels and lessen the dark tint. Remember to actively take breaks from digital screens, following the 20-20-20 rule—look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes—to reduce eye strain and blood pooling.
While under-eye darkness is almost always harmless, a few specific signs should prompt a conversation with a healthcare professional. If the dark circle or swelling appears suddenly and only under one eye, it may indicate a localized infection or trauma. A doctor’s visit is warranted if the dark circles are accompanied by systemic symptoms like extreme fatigue, paleness, unexplained weight loss, or swelling that does not resolve. These might suggest an underlying condition such as a severe allergy, anemia, or a kidney issue.