Dark Circles During Pregnancy: Everything You Need To Know

A woman’s body undergoes a number of changes during pregnancy. From mood swings, morning sickness, swelling in the feet, and migraine to pigmentation and undereye dark circles, pregnancy can be a trying time for women even though it’s the most beautiful time in a woman’s life.  

Dark circles during pregnancy can be worrying but it’s not uncommon. Listed below are some of the causes of undereye dark circles during pregnancy.

What Causes Dark Circles During Pregnancy?

Melasma or skin darkening during pregnancy is very common and it could be one of the reasons for dark circles during pregnancy, but there are other reasons that may cause it.

Lack Of Sleep 

Lack of sleep or insufficient sleep is another common reason for undereye dark circles during pregnancy. When you don’t get adequate sleep, it leads to stress on the eyes and does not give enough time for the skin to rebuild and recover. 

Lack of Exercise 

When we exercise regularly, it helps the blood carry oxygen to the body, providing the body with the required quantity of oxygen. This keeps the body and skin healthy. When there is a lack of exercise, oxygen synthesis is reduced, causing the blood’s colour to become bluish-black. This makes areas of the skin appear darker. 

Fluid Retention 

One of the most common issues a pregnant woman faces is fluid retention or water retention. This causes inflammation, which leads to the accumulation of blood in the affected areas. It can also lead to undereye dark circles If the areas under the eyes are inflamed.

Hormonal Changes

The skin under the eyes is thin and highly delicate as compared to the other parts of the body. Since a woman’s body goes through constant hormonal changes during pregnancy, it affects the blood vessels causing them to dilate. When the blood vessels under the eyes are dilated, it makes the skin appear darker. 

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How to Prevent Undereye Dark Circles During Pregnancy

Some of the simple and easy ways to prevent undereye dark circles during pregnancy are:

• Drink enough water to stay hydrated
• Exercise regularly
• Use a natural undereye cream regularly
• Massage the area under the eyes gently to relax the nerves
• Eat food that is rich in vitamin C
• Get adequate sleep 
• Meditate to reduce stress
• Avoid creams that contain chemicals and toxins

Do Dark Circles Go Away After Pregnancy?

Like most pregnancy-related pigmentation, undereye dark circles too diminish post-pregnancy. However, as mentioned above, sleep deprivation and lack of exercise are the two main causes of dark circles. Therefore getting enough rest and sleep post-pregnancy is very important, though it may sound unrealistic when you have a newborn at home. Take short naps to catch up on the sleep. Exercising regularly, staying well hydrated, getting adequate sleep and using a natural undereye cream will help the pigmentation and dark circles go away quicker. 

However, the intensity of the pigmentation during pregnancy may be related to some medications, pre-existing conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, and even environmental factors pre-existing conditions. Most pregnancy-related skin pigmentation is usually resolved within a year post-delivery, but if the pigmentation is severe and persists for longer, then it is advisable to see your doctor.

Cover image source: freepik