How to Get Rid of Eye Bags: Surgical & Non-Surgical Methods

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We typically get eye bags from staying up late or crying, but there are instances where they still remain under our eyes. Under-eye bags are characterized by mild swelling or eye puffiness, and they usually appear and become more noticeable as we grow older. Most people worry about getting eye bags as the condition can affect how they look, even if it isn’t a serious concern. But in some cases, an unhealthy lifestyle can contribute to under-eye bags.

If you’re experiencing eye bags due to the factors above, you can get rid of them through surgical or non-surgical treatments. But before trying any of these methods, it’s important that you understand the different causes of under-eye bags. Let’s take a look at how these bags can impact your appearance and the options you have for treating them. 

What Causes Bags Under Eyes?

A variety of factors can cause eye bags to appear on your face. These factors include the following:

Aging

Eye tissue and eyelid muscles get weak as we age, which eventually results in fat transfer to the lower eyelids. When this happens, your lower eyelids will experience swelling. Puffy eyes can also cause fluids to collect in the lower part of your eyes.

Lack of Sleep

Your lower eye tissue collects fluids as you sleep. If you don’t have enough sleep, you might experience dark circles under the eyes. These circles will appear when leakage from your eye’s blood vessels and eye fluids are combined.

Allergies

Existing allergies won’t just give you a stuffy nose. You can also get swollen and puffy eyes from these conditions since they cause swelling in your sinus tissue.

Smoking

Cigarettes contain nicotine, a substance that causes inconsistent sleep patterns. The space under your eyes will take in fluids from eye tissue if you sleep at different times. Your skin will also lose its elasticity and produce less collagen as you smoke.

Drinking Alcohol

Liquor also causes eye bags. Consuming alcoholic drinks results in dehydration, which eventually loosens and weakens underlying skin.

Fluid Retention

Our circulatory system, tissues, and cavities can collect too much fluid, especially if you eat salty food. The lower part of our eyes takes in these fluids, causing under-eye bag formation.

Sun Exposure

When you get too much sunlight exposure, it can cause skin cell and collagen damage. This might give you eye bags.

Heredity

As with other medical conditions, immediate families might have a history of eye bags. Individuals can inherit them from their parents.

How Can You Remove Bags Under the Eyes?

Nowadays, modern medicine offers many effective methods for treating eye bags. You can choose to undergo specific treatments or get rid of them naturally. Here are some helpful procedures and methods for removing under-eye bags.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Blepharoplasty corrects eyelid sagginess through excess skin, muscle, and fat removal. It also corrects issues with your peripheral vision. Undergoing blepharoplasty may even help you get rid of these problems and give your eyes a more youthful and alert look. Eyelid surgery is not only for patients with sagging upper eyelids. The procedure will help eliminate excess skin on the lower eyelids, as well.

Chemical Peels

Cosmetic surgeons usually apply chemical peels to a patient’s face, neck, or hands. These solutions help remove old skin after it exfoliates. The treatment can give you smoother skin with fewer wrinkles. You’ll also get fewer fine lines, age spots, and melasma when you undergo this treatment.

Chemical peels come in three types: superficial, medium, and deep peels. Surgeons treat facial skin with a deep peel for fewer fine lines, age spots, freckles, and scarring. Deep peels eliminate damaged skin cells in the dermis as they contain trichloroacetic acid or phenol.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing can also be effective in treating under-eye bags. This treatment is suitable for patients with age spots, scars, wrinkles, saggy skin, and other skin problems. It helps produce collagen by simultaneously treating the epidermis and dermis. You can get smoother and firmer skin when you undergo the procedure.

Microneedling

In microneedling, surgeons “injure” a patient’s skin by penetrating it with fine needles. The “injury” helps in skin renewal. People claim this treatment is effective in correcting wrinkles and scars. Patients also see a noticeable reduction of dark circles and eye bags. Surgeons often offer six sessions for microneedling, with a one-month window between sessions.

How to Get Rid of Under-Eye Bags: Other Methods

Apart from surgical procedures, you can also treat your eye bags using any of the following methods:

    • Hydrate – The daily intake for men falls at 13 cups, while women must consume nine cups of fluids every day.
    • Take an antihistamine – Benadryl, Claritin, and other similar medications can help reduce eye bags due to allergies, but it with caution or a prescription. 
    • Use retinol cream – This cream increases collagen in your skin, which can eventually reduce eye bag appearance.
    • Apply sunscreen – This will keep skin damage due to excessive sun exposure at bay. 
    • Get enough sleep – Seven to eight hours is the average sleeping period for adults.
    • Eat food rich in collagen and iron – Oranges, broccoli, and strawberries contain Vitamin C for more hyaluronic acid. You can also get more iron from red meat, seafood, and dried fruits.
    • Consume less salty food and alcohol – Your skin is what you eat. Include foods for healthy skin in your diet, like fatty fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, and nightshade vegetables. 
    • Stop smoking – A healthy lifestyle results in healthy, supple skin.

Posted on behalf of Sedgh Plastic Surgery

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When under our care, Dr. Sedgh always ensures you feel comfortable, cared for, well-informed about every aspect of your upcoming treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical. With an approach which focuses on achieving refreshed, natural-looking results, Dr. Sedgh prides himself on always acting with transparency, honesty, and the highest level of ethical treatment, from start to finish.