For most people, eye bags are the bane of their existence. If you have under eye bags, it typically means that you lack sleep and this can make you look very tired. While that is the case, lack of sleep is not the only reason for the appearance of eye bags.
Under eye bags can be a sign of again, smoking tobacco, retaining fluid after waking up, allergies, or hereditary. Laser treatment for under-eye bags can stimulate new collagen growth in the area underneath the skin. It is also an effective treatment for getting rid of under eye bags.
Aside from laser treatments, there are other options to get rid of under eye bags. If your eye bags are bothering you, this article can help you decide which treatment or procedure to do. You have several options and they can all help treat under eye bags! You have the option of choosing surgical, nonsurgical, or even home remedies to get rid of your eye bags.
What Causes Bags Under The Eyes
The most common reason why people think under-eye bags appear is because of a lack of sleep. That is one reason but there are also other factors for the appearance of eye bags.
According to the American Academy of Opthalmology, the tissues around the eyes gradually weakens and sag as we age [1]. When the tissues weaken and sag, this causes the fat under the skin to shift forward. This makes the skin underneath the eyes look puffy and swollen.
Aside from aging and lack of sleep, other factors that contribute to under eye bags are allergies, smoking tobacco, retaining fluid after waking up or eating salty food, and it can also be hereditary [1].
Under Eye Bags Vs Dark Circles
Under eye bags are often confused with dark-eye circles but, they are two different things. Under eye bags are usually swollen and puffy while dark-eye circles make the skin underneath the eyes appear dark.
As we said, under eye bags are caused by the weakening of the tissues around the eyes. Dark under eye circles are also caused by the natural aging process as the skin under the eyes gets thinner. The blood vessels also become noticeable which causes the dark circles to appear.
Eye strain, overexposure to the sum, dehydration, allergies, or genetics can also contribute to having dark-eye circles. Under eye bags are often accompanied by dark circles which makes you look more tired and older than you are.
Under eye bags are typically harmless and don’t need medical treatment. However, these eye bags can look unappealing and make you feel self-conscious, especially if they are big.
Laser Treatment For Eye Bags
This kind of eye bag treatment is non-invasive and a nonsurgical procedure to remove bags under the eyes. Laser resurfacing uses a laser to reduce under eye wrinkles and can help with discoloration under the eyes.
Laser treatments can also reduce and tighten the loose skin under the skin. This procedure can last anywhere between 3 to 5 years. People who get this procedure usually need maintenance treatments once or twice a year.
Other Ways To Get Rid Of Eye Bags
Aside from laser treatments, there are other ways to get rid of under eye bags. You can choose between surgical or nonsurgical treatments. However, home remedies are also an option if your eye bags are not prominent and permanent.
Surgical Solution
A lower eyelid lift or blepharoplasty is an effective surgical procedure to remove your under eye bags. A surgeon will readjust the fat underneath the skin and this cosmetic surgery will tighten the muscle and skin under your eyes.
If you have chronically puffy and sagging skin under the eye, you may want to consider getting a lower blepharoplasty, especially if the eye bags are obstructing your line of sight. This procedure can last for a lifetime and does not typically need to be done more than once.
Nonsurgical Solutions
If your under eye bags are not severe, there are other nonsurgical options aside from laser treatments. These nonsurgical solutions are non-invasive and are effective in treating the puffiness of the skin under your eyes.
Dermal fillers are injected in the area where the under eye meets the cheek. Hyaluronic acid is typically used for the filler and is injected under local anesthetic. This injectable treatment can last anything between 6 to 12 months.
Another option is undergoing a chemical treatment peel. This procedure can improve the skin’s texture and pigmentation under your eyes. Chemical peels also remove the top layers of the skin cells under your eye by using an exfoliation process. Light chemical peels usually last for a couple of months and this treatment also has follow-up treatments to maintain the skin under the eyes. Other chemical peel procedures can also last for a few years depending on your skin type and prolonged sun exposure.
At-Home Solutions
There are instances where eye bags appear in the morning after you wake up. In this case, fluids are retained underneath the eyes and you can use home remedies for a quick fix.
There are over-the-counter (ITC) creams that are designed to reduce swelling and puffiness under the eyes. If you have sensitive skin or eyes, using OTC creams can irritate the skin. Make sure to use OTC creams with caution.
Another quick fix for eye bags is by using a cold compress. An ice pack, cold cucumber slices, or a bag of frozen vegetables can help reduce inflammation and swelling of the skin under the eyes. Caffeine can also be a home remedy for treating eye bags as it has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
While these home remedies are accessible, these treatments typically do not offer long-term results and are for those who need quick fixes for under eye bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Laser Treatment For Eye Bags Help?
Laser treatments can help with skin tightening around the area and can also reduce discoloration of the skin. If you are not a candidate for a surgical procedure, laser treatment for your under eye bags is a good option.
What Procedure Is Best For Under Eye Bags?
A blepharoplasty procedure is the most effective procedure if you want to remove or reposition the excess skin quantity or fat underneath the eyes. This is a surgical procedure that can last anywhere between 5 years and a lifetime depending on your skin type.
A blepharoplasty is the best procedure if your under eye bags are obstructing your visual field. A lower eyelid skin lift is typically safe but if you have dry eyes, diabetes, or glaucoma, this procedure may not be for you. It is best to consult your doctor before getting any surgical procedure done.
There are also other treatments such as nonsurgical procedures and home remedies for under eye bags if you are not a candidate for a blepharoplasty treatment. Learn about microneedling for eyes.
Can You Get Rid Of Under-Eye Bags Permanently?
A lower eyelid surgical procedure can get rid of under eye bags permanently and you rarely have to go for future touch-ups as this procedure repositions the fat and/or skin underneath your eyes.
Final Thoughts
Laser treatments can definitely help treat your under-eye bags. This is a non-invasive and non-surgical procedure that can help reduce and tighten the loose skin under your eyes.
Aside from laser treatments, there is a surgical procedure that can get rid of eye bags. Home remedies can also work as quick fixes for eye bags that appear after you wake up in the morning.
Whether you choose a laser treatment or other options we have listed, we hope this article helped answer your questions regarding under-eye bags. If you have any more questions, let us know via the contact form on our website!
