As you age, you may begin to see bags under your eyes caused by weakening of the muscles and tissues in your face. Your weakening tissues and muscles allow the normal support fat to migrate into your lower lids, causing them to look swollen.
These puffy pockets are usually a simple cosmetic concern and rarely signal serious medical conditions, although they can sometimes be indicators of hyper- and hypothyroidism. If left unaddressed, under-eye bags can make you look tired, sleepy, or unwell. Fortunately, you have a few ways to address them.
1. At-Home Remedies
Temporary under-eye bags caused by congestion, poor sleep, or high salt intake may be easy to address with some simple at-home remedies. Here are a couple of simple ones to try.
Cold Compresses
Frozen or chilled eye masks can provide a comfortable way to reduce inflammation and swelling. Applying a cold pack will help to reduce the blood flow to the area.
If you do not have a frozen eye mask or ice pack, you can use several other things. Consider using a bag of frozen peas, chilled cucumber slices, or even refrigerated spoons.
Tea Bags
The caffeine found in tea can constrict the blood vessels in the thin skin under your eyes. The antioxidants in tea can also have an anti-inflammatory effect. The best teas for this include:
- Black
- Green
- Eyebright
- Rooibos
- Chamomile
The tannins in the tea can also help alleviate puffiness by drawing out excessive fluids.
To use your tea bags, submerge your tea bags in water until they are fully saturated. Chill them in the refrigerator, and then apply the cool tea bags to your eye area.
Hemorrhoid Cream
Some people find temporary relief from over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream. Dabbing on a small amount of this phenylephrine-containing cream narrows your blood vessels and reduces the swelling.
2. Non-Surgical Options
You have several non-surgical options to reduce the bags under your eyes. Some dermatologists and cosmetic clinics offer these services.
Chemical Peels
Using an acid-based solution, chemical peels can be a great non-invasive way to reduce your under-eye bags. Once applied to the skin around your eyes, chemical peels encourage cell regeneration. As the solution works to remove your top layer of skin, your body will grow tighter, younger-looking skin.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is another excellent non-surgical way to remove your puffy under-eye skin and stimulate new collagen growth. This treatment uses a laser to target the removal of the surface layers of your skin.
3. Surgical Option
If you have tried some of the remedies already listed and have not received the results you desire, consider a lower eyelid lift or blepharoplasty. This outpatient procedure will improve the loose skin, excess fat, and wrinkles in your eye area.
The surgeon removes the excess skin and fat and sews the skin back together. Once healed, the area under your eyes will be smoother, and you will have a more youthful look. A blepharoplasty can be a stand-alone surgery or combined with an upper eyelid lift, brow lift, or a full facelift.
Blepharoplasty is conducted under local or general anesthesia for approximately
one to three hours. After surgery, you may experience bruising, bleeding, or soreness, but rest and a cool ice pack should resolve all your symptoms in approximately 10 to 14 days.
Your eyes are one of the first things people notice about you, especially when they are the only things visible above your mask. Make them look younger by getting rid of the bags under your eyes. Call
Ronald C. Barry, MD, for a consultation to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals.
