Wrinkles, loss of skin tone and accumulating pads of fat are typical effects of normal aging. Every part of the body is subjected to these effects, including the eyes. Under-eye bags and puffiness make you look old and tired. Bags rarely require medical attention and there are home remedies that may help reduce the appearance of sagging eye skin.
Description
Under-eye bags appear as puffiness or swelling beneath the lower eyelid, says MayoClinic.com. The skin looks loose and sagging. Dark circles may accompany the bags as the swollen lid casts a shadow under the eye. Similarly, shadows from harsh overhead lighting accentuate bags, notes Beauty Cosmetic Guide.
Cause
Aging causes muscles all over the body to lose tone, explains MayoClinic.com, including facial muscles. As the muscles around the eyes weaken, fat that had been helping to support the eye slips forward below the eyelids, causing a puffy, swollen appearance. Additionally, fluid may pool in the under-eye area. Hot weather, hormonal changes, sleeping flat on your back and too much salt in your diet can contribute to fluid retention and eyelid puffiness. Other contributing factors are fatigue, heredity and allergies that cause sinus congestion.
Prevention
You cannot stop the aging process, but you can take steps to help prevent under eye bags. Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night and drink plenty of water, suggests Beauty Cosmetic Guide. Stop smoking, which contributes to wrinkles. Stay away from allergens that trigger congestion and other allergic symptoms. Sleep on two pillows to keep you head elevated to prevent fluid pooling under your eyes. Cut salt in your diet and reduce consumption of alcohol and caffeine, which contribute to water retention. Practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress.
Treatment
Home remedies can reduce the appearance of bags. Place used, cooled herbal or green tea bags over your eyes, or use cucumber or potato slices, advises Beauty Cosmetic Guide. Place two teaspoons in the freezer and place them under your eyelids in the mornings. Cool compresses made from washcloths dampened in cool water or cotton balls soaked in cool milk also help to reduce puffiness when placed on your eyelids. Hemorrhoid cream dabbed under your eyes reduces swelling. If you are dissatisfied with home remedies, a plastic surgeon can remove excess fat and skin in a procedure called blepharoplasty, says MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Under-eye bags usually require no medical treatment, notes MayoClinic.com. See your health-care provider if the swelling is excessive or persistent. Other warning signs are redness, itching or pain in your eye region, or if you have swelling in other areas of your body, for example, your feet or ankles. These symptoms may be signs of an underlying condition such as a kidney or thyroid disorder, infection or allergy.
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