Unpacking Eye Bags: What Causes Them and How To Get Rid of Them

We’ve all had it happen. After a long, sleepless night, we start noticing dark circles under our eyes. Those dark areas with that mild swelling are referred to as eye bags, and they become especially common as you age. Every person will get eye bags at some point in their lives. The muscles and tissues around your eyes that support your eyelids gradually sag and weaken. This weakening allows the normal fat surrounding the eye to puff out, creating that baggy look.

What Do Your Eye Bags Say About Your Health?

In medical terms, eye bags are called “Preorbital Puffiness” due to fluid-filled, puffy, and swollen eyes. While having eye bags is fairly common, if your eyes get noticeably baggier and the puffiness doesn’t go away even after you’ve administered home remedies, then you should consider seeing a doctor. It can be an indication that you’re retaining fluid and can be a manifestation of a serious kidney, heart, or liver condition.

What Causes Bags Under the Eyes?

It is important to point out why eye bags exist in the first place. The factors that cause eye bags are a mix of things that we can control and things that we cannot. Here are some of the most common causes of under-eye swelling.

1. Genetics

This is the major factor that is attributed to darker skin pigmentation. Also, eyes are one of the resemblances you can get from your parents. Chances are that having eye bags can be physical characteristics that run in your family.

2. Lack of sleep

Sleep deprivation or not getting enough sleep are two of the most common reasons you get under-eye swelling. It weakens the muscles around the eyes and can also lead to a loss of collagen under the eyes. Experts suggest that adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night.

3. Eating too much salt

Extra sodium intake can make your body retain water. This excess water results in puffiness in the face and body, most especially to the delicate skin around your eyes which is at greater risk of getting puffy.

4. Crying

This is also a common reason people have swollen or puffy eyes. When we cry, the volume of tears floods the passage system causing tears to burst from the eyes and mucus to come out of the nose. As the body reabsorbs fluid, it retains some in the tissue below the eyes, making the area surrounding your eyes puffy.

5. Allergies

Red, itchy, watery, and swollen under-eyes are common allergic reactions. Common eye allergens include mold, pollen, dust, smoker, pollution, animal fur, dander, chemicals, and perfume. This happens because the mast cells in your eyes give off histamine to fight allergens, thus making your eyes sensitive and watery.

Medical Treatment Options for Eye Bags

If you notice swelling and dark under-eye bags aren’t responding well to at-home remedies, then visit your trusted skin experts to treat it for you. Here are some facial rejuvenation procedures that they may recommend.

1. Microneedling

Microneedling is also known as collagen inductions therapy, and it helps reduce pigmentation issues, such as dark circles and under-eye bags. The procedure involves teeny-tiny needles poking the skin, which stimulates elastin and collagen production by inflicting micro-injuries in the skin. These are the proteins that make the skin smooth and tight.

2. Radiofrequency therapy

This therapy is a nonsurgical method of tightening your skin. It is the thermal heating of collagen underneath the skin. It stimulates the drainage of toxins to boost the collagen which helps in skin tightening and reducing eye bags, dark circles, and puffiness. Take note, however, that common side effects include the following.

• Redness
• Tingling
• Temporary swelling

3. Chemical peel

This treatment also treats crinkly under-eye skin by eliminating existing superficial top layers. The solution dissolves old skin cells to unveil tighter, brighter skin.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Your Eye Bags

If you’re not inclined to try medical procedures just yet, there are also products available on the market that can help lighten the area under the eyes. It may take a long time to see an improvement, and sometimes, they just don’t work. To help your eyes bounce back, you might want to try these home remedies to temporarily reduce your eye bags.

1. Use a cold compress

This is one of the easiest and cheapest home remedies to get rid of your eye bags. It will relax the blood vessels and lessen the inflammation and swelling around your eyes. There are several DIY options to do it. Before applying, wrap your option with a soft cloth to protect your skin.

• Chilled cucumber slices
• Refrigerated spoons
• Ice pack
• Bag of frozen vegetables
• Wet a clean washcloth with cool water

2. Facial massage

Using your index and middle fingers, gently massage around your eyes by tapping out in a circular motion. It helps to bring blood flow to the area.

3. Stay hydrated

Water is a big part of the body, as it makes up around 60 percent of your weight. Your skin under your eyes is susceptible to dehydration which is why a very easy-to-do habit is to increase your water intake.

4. Apply tea bags

Who would have thought that tea isn’t just for sipping? The caffeine in tea contains powerful antioxidants and may help increase the blood flow to your skin, while green tea has anti-inflammatory effects to treat bags under the eyes.

5. Eat iron-rich foods

Iron deficiency can cause pale skin and dark circles under the eyes. Increasing your dietary intake of iron-rich foods, such as leafy green vegetables, seafood, red meat, bread, beans, raisins, and peas, may help to regain your healthy skin.

Consult With Trusted Skin Experts

If the dark circles under your eyes or the puffiness are starting to make you feel anxious about your appearance, it’s time to seek the help of medical professionals.

To find the most suitable treatment for your under-eye problems, a proper physical evaluation is important.  The skin experts at Vargas Face and Skin are ready to help. Schedule a virtual consultation today and let us help you get relief from puffy under-eyes.