Bags Under Eyes – Causes & How to Get Rid of Them

Bags Under Eyes – Causes & How to Get Rid of Them

Bags under eyes are one of the most common beauty concerns of the eyes among women and men. The puffy, tired appearance of eyes make you look tired, aged and less energized. 

Understanding the causes of bags under eyes and the treatment options will help you reduce the appearance of bags under eyes and make you look and feel more confident.

What Are Under-Eye Bags?

Under-eye bags, also known as puffy eyes, is a condition in which the skin of the under-eye area becomes inflamed or swollen. While in some cases it may be temporary, in other cases they persist and can get worse over time.

How They Differ from Dark Circles

Dark circles and bags under eyes have different causes.

Dark circles are caused due to poor circulation around the eyes, leading to bluish/purplish appearance in the under eye region. On the other hand bags under eyes are caused due to inflammation or swelling (fluid retention) manifesting as puffy appearance.

Why They Appear with Age

It is normal for bags under eyes to appear with age. 

As we age our skin gradually loses its structural integrity due to reduction of skin elasticity. This results in loss of firmness in the skin, giving the appearance of bagginess in the under eye region.

Moreover, with age, the muscles and skin weakens over time. Due to gravity, these start to sag. This further exacerbates the appearance of under eye bags.

Common Causes of Under-Eye Bags

Bags under eyes can result from a variety of factors, ranging from lifestyle choices to physiological changes in the body. 

Genetics and Ageing 

Genetics plays a major role in the development of bags under eyes. If your immediate family members inherited bags under eyes, you are likely to develop them too.

With ageing, the skin in the eye region becomes thin and loses its elasticity. Due to gravity, there is a downward pull of the skin under the eyes and it tends to sag This makes the bags under eyes more prominent.

Allergies, Fluid Retention, and Lifestyle

If you suffer from allergies (dust, pollen or other allergens), it can lead to inflammation and swelling in the under eye area causing puffiness in that region. 

Bags also appear in the undereye region because of fluid retention. When fluid accumulates, it gives a puffy and swollen appearance. This happens either naturally or due to lifestyle factors such as high salt diet, stress , smoking and alcohol consumption. Fluid retention is usually temporary and is more noticeable in the mornings.

Poor Sleep and Screen Fatigue

Poor sleep exacerbated the appearance of bags under eyes. Going to bed at late hours of the night and missing your precious hours of beauty sleep makes your eyes look tired and the undereye area saggy.

Using screens for long periods of time without taking breaks in between can cause dry eye syndrome. This is because of reduced eye blinking rate and fatigue of the eye muscles. It manifests as sore eyes, redness and puffiness of eyes.

Medical vs Cosmetic Treatments

Bags under eyes are easily treatable with several options available to suit your needs and eye goals. In some cases, it can be a sign of underlying conditions that may require medical treatment. In other cases, cosmetic treatment can be done to reduce or banish the appearance of undereye bags.

Home Remedies That Actually Work

Mild cases of bags under eyes can be managed with home remedies. Here are the most effective home remedies that you can try:

• Cold compress: Applying a cold compress for a few minutes over the undereye area can temporarily reduce the swelling and puffiness. It helps reduce fluid retention by constricting the blood vessels.
• Massage: Gently massaging the area around your eyes using the index finger can help circulate the accumulated fluid. 
• Tea bags: After soaking tea bags (either black tea or green tea) and cooling them, they can be placed over the eyes. They contain tannins and polyphenols which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Cucumber slices: Due to its hydrating properties, application of cucumber slice over the eyes for 15 minutes helps to sooth inflammation of puffy eyes and gives a fresh appearance of the eyes.

Dermatologist or Ophthalmic Treatments

There are various Dermatologist or Ophthalmic Treatments that produce safe and natural-looking results of the undereye area, with minimal downtime.

Medical treatment options include:

1. Allergy management: If your bags under eyes are caused due to allergic reactions, medications are given to tackle the allergies.

2. Medical eye creams: Eye creams containing retinol and caffeine helps to reduce the appearance of undereye bags. These are medical-grade products that require a prescription.

Cosmetic treatment options for bags under eyes are:

1. Tear trough fillers

• One of the most effective treatment options
• Involves injection of dermal fillers (usually hyaluronic acid filler) in the tear trough area
• Leads to smoothening of the undereye area and fills up the hollows under the eyes.

2. Ultrasound therapy 

• Non-invasive treatment option 
• Involves the use of ultrasound technology 
• Promotes the production of collagen in the skin and helps tighten the skin in the undereye area 
• Results in reduced puffiness and sagging of the undereye region

3. Dracula facial for the eyes

• Involves the injection of the person’s own platelets into the undereye area
• Stimulates the production of elastin and collagen in the undereye area 
• Results in firm and toned appearance of undereye area 

Blepharoplasty — Surgical Correction for Severe Cases

If your bags under eyes are severe, or if you’re looking for a treatment with long-lasting results, blepharoplasty is the treatment of choice.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure in which the fat/ muscle/ skin in the lower eyelid are either removed or repositioned. It is performed either under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia. The incisions are made inside the lower eyelid or in the eyelash line, making the scars discreet. The incisions are closed with sutures or left to heal naturally.

It helps restore the contour of the undereye region leading to a more youthful appearance of the eyes. The results are also long-lasting, making it an attractive option for treatment of bags under eyes.

Preventive Eye Care Tips

There are a few lifestyle tips to follow which can prevent the bags under eyes from occurring.

Diet, Sleep, and Hydration for Healthier Eyes

By incorporating the following tips, you are guaranteed to wake up with fresh looking eyes and minimal bags under eyes.

• Diet: Ideally, consume a diet that is low in salt and sugar as excess amounts of these cause fluid retention under the eyes. Bonus tip: Avoid alcohol as it causes the appearance of tired-looking eyes.

• Sleep: Sleep helps with getting a fresh, bright appearance of the eyes. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Bonus tip: Sleep with your head slightly elevated which will drain the fluid from the undereye area.

• Hydration: It is important to keep yourself hydrated adequately. Drink water throughout the day. Bonus tip: Consume one glass of water before going to bed and one glass after waking up.

When to Consult a Specialist

While some cases of bags under the eyes are mild and often harmless, it can potentially be caused by something more serious.

Here are a few signs that require consultation with a specialist:

• Pain around the eyes
• Sudden or severe swelling of the eyes
• Vision changes
• Fever
• Any discharge from the eyes
• No improvement or persistent puffiness of under eyes area in spite of home remedies or lifestyle changes

Conclusion — Personalized Care for Under-Eye Concerns

Bags under the eyes are a common cosmetic concern. They can stem from a variety of causes, including lifestyle and physiological changes of the body. Treatment options for bags under eyes can include home remedies, medical treatment and cosmetic (non-surgical or surgical) treatment. 

The treatment option that is best for you can be chosen after consultation with the eye specialist. At Surya Eye Hospital, we offer personalized treatment for bags under the eyes based on the condition, severity and your aesthetic goals.

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