Many people have puffy eyes or unsightly under-eye bags. Whether this problem is temporary or chronic, there are several ways to reduce puffiness and lighten the dark tones under your eyes. You can do many things at home to improve this issue, but if they do not work and the problem becomes chronic, it may be time to seek out the advice of a medical expert such as Dr. Catherine Vanderloos.
What Causes Under-Eye Bags?
Aging is one of the most common causes of under-eye bags. Throughout the natural aging process, skin loses a significant amount of its elasticity. This often causes the area under your eyes to look dark and puffy. Genetics also plays a big role in the appearance of under-eye bags. These two reasons may require more extensive treatment, but several other causes of under-eye bags could be remedied with a simple lifestyle change.
A poor diet filled with high-sodium foods often causes the body to retain water, resulting in puffy eyes. In this case, you can often resolve the issue by adopting better eating habits. Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can also attribute to the appearance of under-eye bags. This is easily resolved by improving the amount of time you sleep each night. If allergies are the cause for your puffy eyes, try taking a daily antihistamine.
What Can You Do at Home to Improve Under-Eye Bags?
If the puffiness or under-eye bags are not improved with simple lifestyle changes, you can try a few more extensive treatments at home. Use any or all of the following remedies to reduce puffiness or dark circles under the eyes temporarily.
- Caffeine: Caffeine is known to constrict blood vessels, so it is a common ingredient in many headache medications. This constriction of blood vessels is also effective for reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. You can sit with chilled tea bags on your eyes for up to 20 minutes a day to reduce puffiness and remove under-eye bags. If this isn’t an option for you, you can also try using eye creams made with caffeine.
- Cold compresses: Cold compresses are ideal for reducing swelling on any body part, and puffy eyes are no exception. Sit with a cold compress on each of your eyes for a few minutes each day to improve puffiness. Cold cucumbers, bags of frozen vegetables, and refrigerated spoons all make excellent cold compresses ideal for reducing puffiness and tightening skin. You could also purchase an ice roller for a more convenient approach to erasing eye bags.
- Retinol creams: Many over-the-counter eye creams are infused with retinol and hyaluronic acid to improve the appearance of the skin around your eyes. Use a high-quality cream each day to make your eyes appear more youthful, but discontinue use immediately if you have sensitive skin that gets irritated by the product.
When Should You Seek Medical Help for Under-Eye Bags?
If the cause of your eye bags is genetic or related to aging, at-home treatments probably won’t be effective. There are several medical options available to reduce eye bags long-term. The following options may be helpful.
- Microneedling: This procedure involves several treatments over time and uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen production. Because it is often more cost-efficient than other treatments, this outpatient procedure is an excellent choice for lasting results.
- Surgery: If you want to permanently reduce eye bags, a lower eyelid lift could be the best solution. It is a simple, outpatient procedure that involves tightening the muscle and skin beneath the eye to eliminate eye bags.
- Filler: A jelly-like substance is injected underneath the eye to smooth out the skin and form a smooth transition from the eye to the cheek. You can expect the results to last for up to a year.
- Chemical peel: Chemical peels are common procedures for facials as they effectively remove old skin cells to make your complexion brighter and more even. It is a good treatment for eye bags because it reveals tighter, more youthful skin. Results can last for several years if you take proper precautions to shield your skin from the sun.
- Laser resurfacing: This long-lasting treatment removes surface layers of skin with a laser. Because it stimulates collagen production, you will have smoother, firmer skin with enhanced elasticity.
No one wants to have chronic under-eye bags or puffy eyes. They make you appear chronically tired and may have a negative impact on your overall appearance. If you want to get back to your previous youthful, well-rested appearance, try a few common treatments at home and then seek out the care of Dr. Vanderloos if you don’t see an improvement. Since she specializes in remedying under-eyes bags, Dr. Vanderloos can design a customized treatment plan to help you look your best at every stage in life. Contact us online or call (318) 865-4333 today to schedule a consultation.
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