Written by: Regina Thomas
As you get older – or even when you wake up in the morning – you might notice swelling under your eyes. Natural aging is a common cause of under-eye puffiness. Eye bags rarely affect your vision or health. Yet, they are troublesome and unattractive.
Besides aging, there are other reasons you get puffy eyes. A high-salt diet is one reason; allergies are another. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, can cause swelling. Genetics may also play a role.
Luckily, there are solutions for puffy eyes. Some are short-term solutions, while others provide long-lasting results. Here are seven tips for treating those unwanted eye bags.
Home Remedies
There are many different approaches to treating your eye bags, depending on the cause. Most people turn to at-home treatment first. Home remedies and over-the-counter products can shrink the swollen areas under your eyes. Yet, they can only do so much.
Dr. Shaun Desai is a professor of facial plastic surgery at Johns Hopkins University. “To effectively get rid of eye bags that are prominent and permanent, medical treatment is often necessary,” he noted.
That said, if you wake up with puffy eyelids, home remedies might do the trick. They can help reduce swelling until it subsides on its own.
1. Cold Compresses
Cold compresses reduce inflammation and swelling by limiting blood flow to swollen areas. Place something cold on your closed eyes for a few minutes. Try an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables, refrigerated spoons, or a clean, wet washcloth.
2. Hemorrhoid Creams
Hemorrhoid creams are another quick fix for eye bags. These over-the-counter medicines contain phenylephrine, which narrows the blood vessels to reduce swelling. Use them with care since they can irritate the eyes and sensitive under-eye skin.
3. Caffeinated Products
Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor; it narrows blood vessels and reduces swelling. Rest your swollen eyes with chilled tea bags of caffeinated black tea. You could also look for eye creams that list caffeine among their ingredients.
Noninvasive Treatments
Sometimes, home remedies are not enough. If you are getting tired of the bags under your eyes, consider medical treatment.
There are many non-surgical options to improve eye bags or rid them altogether. These treatments produce smoother under-eye skin.
4. Dermal Fillers
This therapy places a filler where the lower eyelid region meets the cheek. Hyaluronic acid is the usual filler for this procedure. The injection requires local anesthesia and results can last for six months or more.
5. Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a wrinkle treatment that improves skin tone and tightening. It promotes new collagen growth and can rejuvenate under-eye skin. Depending on skin type and sun exposure, results can last for years.
6. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels also reduce wrinkles such as eye bags. They work by removing the top skin layers (old skin cells) to reveal tighter, smoother skin. Again, results can last for years depending on skin type and sun exposure.
Cosmetic Surgery
Surgery is the only permanent way to get rid of your unwanted eye bags. It can repair baggy eyelids, droopy eyelids, and excess lid skin that affects vision.
7. Eyelid Surgery
For long-lasting results, there is blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery. This outpatient procedure readjusts fat and tightens muscle and skin. It creates a smooth under-eye appearance free of bags and wrinkles.
Many places offer such treatments. Whether that be eye bags treatment in Toronto or eyelid surgery in Miami. In most cases, the results last for life.
Eyelid lifts rarely need future touch-ups. But, some people need more than one type of therapy to get the best results. For example, they might combine laser resurfacing with eyelid surgery.
Prevention
Eye bags have many causes, and they are not always preventable. But, certain lifestyle habits may lower your risk of getting them. Reduce stress and get plenty of rest. Stop smoking and heavy drinking. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes when you are outside.
Conclusion
For most people, under-eye bags are a cosmetic issue. But, in rare cases, they can be a medical concern. If your eye bags worry you, talk to your doctor. Mention the tips above. Then, decide on a treatment that works for you.
