Eye bags refer to the swelling or puffiness that occurs under the eyes, giving the appearance of bags or dark circles. This condition is quite common and can affect people of all ages, though it becomes more prevalent as we age. Eye bags can be bothersome as they can make a person appear tired or older than they actually are.
Various causes of eye bags include ageing, genetics, sleep deprivation and sun exposure. Some causes of eye bags can be temporary and easily managed with lifestyle changes, while others may be more persistent.
Luckily, there are bags under eyes treatment and various remedies available. Some options include getting enough sleep or considering lower blepharoplasty surgery. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and the most suitable treatment for your specific condition.
Guide to Facial Rejuvenation
Facial Rejuvenation
What Causes Eye Bags
Ageing and Skin Elasticity
The eye bags cause can vary from person to person, however, the most common are listed below.
- Ageing and changes in skin elasticity are significant factors that contribute to forming bags under eyes. As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.
- The weakening of muscles that support the lower eyelids. This causes the fat that is normally held in place to protrude, creating under eye puffiness and the appearance of bags.
- Accumulation of fat and gravity can cause the fat that cushions the eyes in their sockets to shift downwards and accumulate in the lower eyelids, leading to eye puffiness and the formation of bags under the eyes.
Genetics and Hereditary Factors
Eye bags can be hereditary, inherited through family genes. These genetic factors can include weaker skin or a predisposition to fluid retention.
Lifestyle Factors
- Chronic stress can lead to inflammation and fluid retention, contributing to eye bags
- Lack of quality sleep can cause blood vessels to dilate, resulting in under-eye puffiness
- Poor nutrition, particularly diets high in sodium and processed foods can worsen fluid retention and swelling in the face
While aging signs are the primary cause of eye bags, other factors as mentioned can also play a role in their development. Managing lifestyle factors, getting sufficient sleep, maintaining a healthy diet and protecting your skin from sun exposure can help reduce the appearance of eye bags.
Types of Eye Bags
Puffy Eye Bags
Many people have bags under their eyes. This can happen due to too much fluid retention or inflammation. It looks like puffy or swollen skin below the eyes.
Fluid Retention: The delicate skin around the eyes can retain fluid due to factors like excessive salt intake, hormonal changes, or changes in weather.
Inflammation: Inflammation can occur in the tissues around the eyes, causing them to swell and appear puffy. Allergies and sinus issues are common triggers for this kind of inflammation.
Home Remedies for Eye Bags
- Cold Compresses: Apply a cold compress or chilled cucumber slices to the eyes. This constricts blood vessels and reduces inflammation, providing immediate relief.
- Proper Hydration: Stay well-hydrated to prevent fluid retention, a common cause of under-eye puffiness.
- Quality Sleep: Ensure you get enough sleep to prevent fluid buildup and reduce eye puffiness caused by sleep deprivation.
It’s important to note that while these home remedies can provide temporary relief, they may not address the underlying cause of puffy eye bags. If the puffiness is persistent or severe, or if it significantly affects your appearance and well-being, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.
Tear Trough Hollows
Sunken depressions or hollows often develop between the lower eyelid and the cheeks. This occurs due to a loss of volume and collagen in that area, resulting in a tired or aged look. Fortunately, there are non-surgical options available, such as dermal fillers, which can help restore volume and diminish the hollowing effect.
Under Eye Bags
Under eye bags, also called cheek bags, are the sagging or swelling of the lower eyelid and upper cheek area. This condition lower eyelid bags is often a result of a combination of factors including ageing, genetics, and sun damage. To effectively remove eye bags, surgical intervention such as lower blepharoplasty may be necessary to achieve a more refreshed appearance.
Eye Bags Treatment
Eye Bag Surgery: A Permanent Solution
You many be wondering how to get rid of under eye bags. One eye bag treatment is eye bag surgery is a treatment for eye bags, also known as lower blepharoplasty. This is a surgical procedure that aims to address under eye bag removal by removing excess skin and tightening the lower eyelid area. Eye bags removal is a permanent eye bags treatment for individuals seeking to improve puffy eye bags and tear trough hollows.
Eye bag removal provides a permanent solution for the removal of excess skin and fat. The results of the surgery are long-lasting because once the fat is removed it does not return.
However, it is essential to note that while eye bag surgery provides a more permanent solution to remove bags under eyes, it does not stop the natural ageing process. Over time, other signs of ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity, may develop in other areas around the eyes and face.
If you decide to undergo eye bag removal surgery it is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle, protect your skin from sun damage, and follow the post-surgery care instructions provided by your surgeon to maximise the longevity of the results.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Eye Bags
Non-invasive under eye bags treatments offer alternatives to get rid of under eye bags. These methods can provide temporary improvements which will need to be maintained. Combining these treatments with lifestyle changes, such as sufficient sleep, hydration and a healthy diet can help improve your results.
Skincare Products
- Eye Creams: Some eye creams contain ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, which can temporarily improve skin texture and reduce puffiness in eyelid bags.
- Cold Compresses: Applying cold compresses can temporarily constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation.
Dermal Fillers
- Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers can be injected into tear trough hollows to restore volume and reduce the bags and dark circles.
- Results from fillers are temporary and typically last around 6 to 12 months, after which additional treatments are needed to maintain the effects.
PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma
- PRP treatment is when your blood is drawn and processed to separate out the layer containing platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This PRP is injected back into your skin to stimulate collagen production and reduce bags under your eyes.
- The results from PRP generally last around 18 months with one or two treatments.
Keep in mind the effects of non-invasive treatments are temporary and require maintenance. Depending on the severity of the bags and the desired outcome, a combination of non-surgical treatments or eye bag surgery may be recommended for optimal results.
Dermal Fillers for Eye Bags
Hyaluronic acid based fillers are commonly used to address tear trough hollows and volume loss. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture and adds plumpness to the skin, helping to restore lost volume and smooth out wrinkles.
One essential point to note about dermal fillers, is they are a temporary fix. The body gradually breaks down and absorbs the filler. The results can vary, on average, they last between 6 to 18 months in tear troughs.
Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies
To help reduce the appearance of eyelid bags and puffiness, incorporating healthy lifestyle practices can make a significant difference. Here are some recommendations:
- Get adequate sleep
- Manage stress
- Follow a balanced diet
- Stay hydrated
- Limit salt intake
- Wear sunscreen
As for home remedies to temporarily alleviate puffiness, you can apply a cold compress such as a chilled spoon, cucumber slices, or a damp cold cloth, which can help constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling.
Advantages of Lower Blepharoplasty
Long-lasting Results
Lower blepharoplasty is a surgery to help reduce eyelid bags. During the surgery, extra skin and fat will be taken out to make your eyes look smoother. Unlike other treatments, you do not have to keep getting this done over and over, the results are long-lasting.
Improvement in Medical Conditions
Lower blepharoplasty helps people with medical problems in their eyes. It gets rid of extra fat around the eyes that can cause discomfort and heaviness. This surgery also helps fix any eyelid misalignment and makes it so there is less irritation, tearing, and dryness in the eyes.
Enhanced Functionality of Eyelids
Lower blepharoplasty surgery helps make your lower eyelids work better. It tightens the tissue around the eyes and makes them close properly. This helps keep your eyes safe and comfortable. It also helps protect your eyes from getting dry or irritated.
Reduction of Eye Bag-Related Symptoms
Lower blepharoplasty is a surgery that helps people with tired looking eyes. It takes away extra fat and skin which makes the bags go away. This surgery also helps with any discomfort like rubbing or pressure caused by the bags. A non-surgical treatment will not make the puffiness go away permanently, but this surgery may give you more dramatic results that last longer.
Minimising Risks and Complications of an Eyelid Surgery
Choosing the Right Surgeon
It is important to consider your safety when you get eyelid surgery. That’s why it is very important to choose the right surgeon. Ensure the doctor is qualified and has a lot of experience in doing this surgery. Dr Mark Doyle stands out as one of Australia’s best plastic surgeons. He is highly experienced and he cares about his patients to ensure they get the best experience possible.
Dr Mark Doyle, Specialist Plastic Surgeon
- Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons – FRACS (Plas)
- 30+ years of cosmetic surgery experience
- 15,000+ hours in the operating theatre
- 10,000+ surgeries performed including 2,000+ face surgeries
- 200+ positive reviews
- Extensive expertise in surgical planning and 3D imaging
- Committed follow-up and 12 months aftercare including scar treatment
- Helped thousands of happy clients! You can see for yourself with these Blepharoplasty Before and Afters.
Following Post-operative Care and Recovery
During Blepharoplasty Recovery, it is important to follow the instructions from your doctor. Take any medicines they give you, like pain medicine and eye drops. Put cold compresses on your eyes to help reduce swelling and bruising. Keep the area clean and do not rub your eyes. Go to all of your follow-up appointments to ensure your eyes are healing.
FAQs
Is lower blepharoplasty suitable for everyone with eye bags?
Lower blepharoplasty is a type of surgery that can help reduce eye bags. However, not everyone with eye bags should get this surgery. During a consultation, the surgeon will evaluate if you are a good candidate for surgery based on various factors.
Does Medicare cover lower blepharoplasty for medical reasons?
Blepharoplasty Medicare may pay for some medical procedures, like blepharoplasty in some cases if it is medically necessary. It will depend on the person’s medical condition and every case is different. In some cases, this procedure could be considered cosmetic eye surgery, which would not be covered.
Is there a connection between droopy eyelids and the presence of eye bags?
Droopy eyelids and eye bags can be connected. So when the muscles and tissues that hold up the eyelids get weak, it can cause both a droopy eyelid and eye bags. However, you can also have one or the other.
Contact Us
Book a consultation to learn more about how you can get rid of eye bags and if blepharoplasty is a good option for you.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plast) – Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience. He specialises in face lift surgery in Gold Coast and Brisbane, and also offers a range of body and breast procedures.
Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Doctor and surgeon. He has completed all required training to be a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and is driven by an committed to providing excellent standards of care.
NEXT STEPS
Do Your Research
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- Read our Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn about the Risks and Complications of Surgery
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- Bring a friend or relative for support and discussion regarding your choices
- Take notes and read all provided information thoroughly
- Read about what to expect in your Initial Surgery Consultation
Book Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
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Please contact us to arrange to book a consultation with our Specialist Plastic Surgeon or to speak with our Patient Care Advisor.
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*DISCLAIMER: All information on Dr Mark Doyle website is general and is not intended to be medical advice nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are stock images used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consult for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.
Dr. Mark Doyle AHPRA Registration: Dr Mark Doyle MED0001375519 Specialist Plastic Surgery – MBBS FRACS FRCS
