Under-eye bags are often described as a puffy or crescent-shaped area on the delicate skin under the eyes. They can also be accompanied by dark circles.
Under-eye bags are often linked to a lack of sleep, but there are actually multiple reasons why they occur. Thankfully, there are many treatments available that can help reduce the appearance of scars, whether they are done at home or by professionals.
What are Bags Under Eyes?
Bags under eyes are when there is a slight swelling or puffiness under the eyes. As you get older, it is common for the tissues around your eyes to weaken, including the muscles that support your eyelids. When fat moves into the lower eyelids, it can make them look puffy. You may also notice fluid building up under your eyes.
Bags under the eyes are typically a cosmetic issue and are rarely a sign of a serious health problem. Using simple treatments at home, like cool compresses, can help make them look better. If you have persistent or bothersome puffiness under your eyes, you may consider eyelid surgery as a possible solution.
What Causes Bags Under Your Eyes?
Many people are bothered by the appearance of bags under their eyes. Under-eye bags can look different, with some being puffy and swollen while others have dark circles. It is important to understand why under-eye bags occur in order to find effective ways to treat them. There are several reasons why under-eye bags form, such as getting older, feeling tired, being in the sun too much, having allergies, and not drinking enough water. Understanding the reasons behind under-eye bags can help you find long-term solutions to address them and achieve a more refreshed and youthful look.
Aging
As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity. When collagen decreases, the thin skin around the eyes becomes weaker, which makes the fat pads under the eyes droop. The fat pads can make it look like you have bags under your eyes. Unfortunately, it is more difficult to treat under-eye bags caused by aging using only home remedies.
Sunlight
Spending too much time in the sun makes you age faster and harms the collagen fibers in your skin. Over time, this can cause under-eye bags to form. Wearing sunglasses and applying sunscreen can help stop under-eye bags from getting worse due to sunlight.
Fatigue
Not getting enough sleep and feeling tired all the time can make under-eye bags more noticeable. Lack of sleep makes blood vessels expand, which causes dark circles and puffiness. Getting enough quality sleep is important for reducing under-eye bags.
Allergies
Allergic reactions can make your eyes swell and retain fluid, which can result in under-eye bags. Allergies can make the blood vessels expand and cause puffiness. If you can identify and manage your allergies, it can greatly help in reducing under-eye bags.
Dehydration
When the body doesn’t have enough water, it holds onto water, which causes puffiness and swelling. It is important to drink enough water to keep your skin healthy and reduce the appearance of under-eye bags. Drinking enough water every day can have a noticeable impact.
How to Get Rid of Eye Bags?
If you want to get rid of under-eye bags, there are different ways you can try. If you have under-eye bags, there are some home remedies and lifestyle changes that can help provide relief, depending on the cause. These methods work well for temporarily relieving and preventing under-eye bags. By adding some simple strategies to your daily routine, you can take proactive steps to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags and improve the look of the skin around your eyes.
Cold Compress
To reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels, you can apply a cold compress to the under-eye area. This can be done using a chilled spoon or a cold cloth. Cold temperature makes the blood vessels smaller and makes puffiness look less noticeable.
Stay Hydrated
It is important to drink enough water to keep your skin healthy and reduce under-eye bags. Drinking enough water during the day helps remove toxins from your body and improves blood flow, which can reduce puffiness and swelling.
Minimize Sun Exposure
In order to prevent under-eye bags from getting worse due to sunlight, it is important to reduce the amount of time spent in the sun. To protect your eyes and skin from the sun, wear sunglasses that have UV protection. Also, remember to apply sunscreen with SPF and consider using hats or visors for extra shade. Keeping your skin safe from harmful UV rays can help stop early aging and the development of under-eye bags.
Some Home Remedies for Bags Under Eyes
If you have under-eye bags, there are a few things you can try at home to help reduce their appearance. The effectiveness of these remedies depends on the cause of your under-eye bags.
Cool Compress
Applying a cold compress to the area under your eyes can help decrease blood flow to this sensitive area. This can reduce inflammation and shrink the blood vessels that cause under-eye puffiness and dark circles.
If you want to try this at home, you can use a cool washcloth or ice pack to gently press on the area for a few minutes. The results are not permanent, so it would be a good idea to test this every day.
Vitamin C Products
Vitamin C is known for its ability to help reduce signs of skin aging, promote collagen growth, and protect the skin from UV rays. If you want to restore firmness to the skin under your eyes and reduce puffiness, using an eye cream that contains vitamin C as a main ingredient could be helpful. The outcomes of using this strategy may take some time to accumulate and will vary based on the specific amount of the product used.
Retinol Products
If you want to reduce puffiness under your eyes, using an over-the-counter (OTC) eye cream is a good option. Experts suggest using an eye product that contains retinol, which is a derivative of vitamin A. This ingredient can help improve the skin’s surface by promoting the turnover of skin cells.
Retinol can do more than just reduce under eye puffiness. It can also help with fine lines and dark circles by making them less noticeable.
Caffeine-Based Products
Caffeine can be used for more than just your morning coffee. Using this ingredient on the skin under the eyes also has advantages. That’s because caffeine helps to build blood vessels and reduce swelling, which makes the area under the eyes look less puffy. Although it is only a temporary solution, caffeine is important for improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in the body.
Gentle Skin Massage
Lymphatic drainage is not only a technique used for full body massages. You can also gently massage the area under your eyes to achieve similar effects. Studies have shown that doing this can help reduce pain and inflammation, as well as decrease swelling under the eyes. This is especially helpful after cosmetic procedures.
Experts suggest using your fingertips or a jade roller to gently massage underneath the eye, moving in an upward and outward direction. Doing this regularly can help decrease any accumulated fluid in the area.
Green and Black Tea
There are two items that you might already have in your kitchen that could be helpful for the annoying under-eye area: green or black tea bags. Studies have found that both green and black tea can be helpful in reducing the appearance of under eye bags and dark circles. The reason for this is that teas contain high levels of antioxidants, caffeine, and anti-inflammatory properties. These substances stimulate blood flow to the skin and help to smooth out the entire area.
Treat Allergies
If you believe that your under eye bags might be caused by allergens, you can try using an over-the-counter antihistamine to help reduce the appearance of puffiness around the eye. Antihistamine eyedrops can also be useful for reducing bags and puffiness around the eyes. You should also try to avoid rubbing the area too much, as this could cause more inflammation.
Some Medical Treatments for Bags Under Eyes
Are you not happy with the results you are getting from the remedies you are trying at home? There are many professional options available to tighten skin and reduce the appearance of under eye bags.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use a safe amount of acid to remove the outer layers of skin, which can make the under eye area look smoother. The skin may become discolored and uncomfortable as it heals, depending on the specific type of chemical peel used. Your healthcare provider will also talk to you about what to do after the procedure and any possible risks, such as scarring.
Laser Resurfacing
Lasers can be used to treat under-eye bags and other signs of aging around the eyes. There are various laser treatments that can help make the skin tighter, narrow blood vessels underneath, and decrease pigmentation (discoloration). These factors can all contribute to under-eye puffiness.
After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort, blistering, peeling, and your skin may look like it has a sunburn as it heals. Some laser treatments can cause discoloration, infection, scarring, and more swelling.
Injectable Fillers
Injectable fillers can be used to temporarily add volume and make certain areas of the face, like the under-eye area, appear smoother. Furthermore, these products can assist in boosting collagen production, which can result in a more firm and healthier appearance under the eyes.
You will probably need to do this procedure again in a few months to keep the results. Some temporary side-effects of the treatment may include swelling, tenderness, occasional bruising, and discoloration.
Can Stress Cause Eye Bags?
Yes, in summary. Feeling stressed can make the skin under your eyes look different. When you feel stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This hormone can cause inflammation and make your body retain fluids. In addition, stress can often cause poor sleep quality, which makes under-eye bags and dark circles worse. By practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing, you can improve your overall well-being and also make your eyes look healthier.
When to Consult a Health Care Provider?
Bags under the eyes may not be aesthetically pleasing, but they are generally harmless and do not need medical attention. If the condition is causing vision problems, irritation, headaches, or is accompanied by a skin rash, it is important to see your health care provider.
If you have swelling, your health care provider will want to check for other possible causes like thyroid disease, infection, connective tissue disease, or an allergy. You might be sent to a specialist who focuses on eye health (ophthalmologist) or plastic surgery for the eyes (oculoplastic surgeon).
Conclusion
Under-eye bags are puffy or crescent-shaped areas on the delicate skin under the eyes, often linked to lack of sleep. They can be caused by aging, sun exposure, fatigue, allergies, and dehydration. To get rid of under-eye bags, simple home remedies and lifestyle changes can be used. Cold compresses can reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels, while staying hydrated helps remove toxins and improve blood flow. Minimizing sun exposure can prevent under-eye bags from worsening. To test the effectiveness of these home remedies, gently press a cool compress on the area under the eyes for a few minutes. Eyelid surgery may be considered if persistent or bothersome puffiness persists. Understanding the reasons behind under-eye bags can help find long-term solutions and achieve a more refreshed and youthful look.
Vitamin C products can help reduce skin aging, promote collagen growth, and protect the skin from UV rays. Retinol products can help reduce puffiness and fine lines. Caffeine-based products can build blood vessels and reduce swelling, making the area under the eyes appear less puffy. Gently massage the area under the eyes with fingertips or a jade roller. Green and black tea bags can help reduce under-eye bags and dark circles due to antioxidants, caffeine, and anti-inflammatory properties. Allergies can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines. Professional treatments include chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and injectable fillers. Stress can cause eye bags, as cortisol releases hormones that cause inflammation and poor sleep quality. Consult a healthcare provider if the condition is causing vision problems, irritation, headaches, or skin rash.