Bags Under Eyes: What Can I Do?
Bags under the eyes is a common condition that affects many women and men today. Symptoms typically consist of dark circles, puffiness under the eyes, swelling that involves the bottom eyelids and dark shadows under or around the eyes. Oftentimes, the condition becomes more noticeable as a person ages, especially if the bags were present at a young age, such as when the person was 20 or 30 years old. However, many treatments are available for under-eye bags, including creams, cosmetic surgery, skin treatments and over-the-counter remedies.
About Eye Puffiness
Under-eye bags often begin as a small nuisance, then quickly become a larger issue as time goes on. In fact, small pillows under the eyes can escalate to baggy, puffy areas in a short amount of time. In most cases, this puffiness isn’t harmful. However, under-eye bags can affect your emotional health, causing depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Some people complain that under-eye bags make them appear tired and older than they actually are.
Eye bags and dark circles are very common in older adults, because the skin loses elasticity as you age, resulting in an out-pouching of the skin. Unfortunately, you don’t have to be an older person to get under-eye bags. The condition is also seen in women and men as early as 20 years of age. However, this is usually due to lifestyle habits, such as not sleeping and eating unhealthy foods.
Causes
There are many possible causes of eye puffiness and under-eye bags. The most common cause is changes in the skin due to the natural process of aging. Eye puffiness is also an inherited condition, meaning that you have a greater chance of developing under-eye bags if a relative also has the condition. Certain medical conditions, including chronic sinusitis, nasal allergies and respiratory disorders, may also increase your risk for eye bags and dark circles under the eyes. In younger people, bad habits may be to blame. For example, many smokers develop bags and puffiness under the eyes because of oxidative damage to the skin. Other common causes include not getting enough sleep, eating a lot of salty foods, dehydration and not exercising regularly.
Medical Treatments
There are many different ways that a person can reduce eye puffiness, such as using an extra pillow under your head to increase fluid drainage, which reduces swelling under the eyes. This is especially beneficial for puffiness if the patient suffers from a chronic sinus condition or nasal allergies, which also commonly cause eye puffiness and under- eye bags.
Luckily, medical treatments have evolved for eye puffiness, including the new injectable fillers used to fill in wrinkles and reduce puffiness around the eyes. Other common treatments include laser resurfacing and chemical peels, which lessen the appearance of under-eye swelling and discoloration. Another medical treatment for under-eye bags is a surgical procedure called an eyelift. This elective surgery is more permanent than other treatments, but it can also cause some side effects, such as pain and stinging under the eyes. The eyelift procedure is also the most expensive solution for eye bags, oftentimes costing thousands of dollars.
Alternative Remedies
There are also quite a few alternative and over-the-counter remedies for eye puffiness, bags and dark circles. However, most of these treatments only work for a short amount of time. Green tea bags are an effective treatment for bags under the eyes because they contain a natural anti-inflammatory substance known as EGCG, which can reduce fluid build-up that contributes to eye puffiness. Slices of chilled cucumbers and other vegetables can also help reduce under-eye puffiness. However, the effects are most likely due to the cold temperature, which helps reduce swelling.
Applying hemorrhoid cream to the under-eye area is another treatment that helps reduce swelling and puffiness. However, be careful not to get the cream in your eyes or severe burning and irritation can occur. In addition, try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night and eat a healthy diet to prevent bags under the eyes.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Bags Under Eyes - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bags-under-eyes/DS01151
- WebMD: Banish The Bags Under Your Eyes http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/banish-the-bags-under-your-eyes
