Bags under the eyes aren't usually a serious medical concern, according to the Mayo Clinic, but they can cause you to look years beyond your age. If you resemble a puffy-eyed raccoon when you wake up in the morning, know that the first step to getting rid of bags under the eyes is to pinpoint what's causing them.
Physiology
Bags under the eyes can form when fat that supports your eyes travels forward and settles in your lower eyelids, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fluid that pools into the space under your eyes can also cause puffy-looking bags to form in that area. Bags can take on a darker, more pronounced appearance because the skin under your eyes is thin and the area directly below it has a red or purple hue, according to Health Services at Columbia University.
Common Causes
Age is a common culprit of bags under the eyes. Tissues and muscles under your eyes tend to weaken as you get older, which causes your skin to sag and the fat to relocate under your eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fluid accumulation can cause undereye bags in younger people or make older people's pre-existing undereye bags look more obvious. Factors that commonly lead to fluid under your eyes include heredity, weather changes, fluctuating hormone levels, sleeping on your back, eating salty foods, lack of sleep and allergies, the Mayo Clinic says.
Underlying Conditions
Bags under your eyes may be related to allergies if you also notice that your eyes are itchy, teary and red, according to Health Services at Columbia University. Undereye bags may also indicate a more serious health problem if they are severe and persistent, or if you notice swelling in other areas of your body, says Health Services at Columbia University. See your doctor to rule out other problems.
Remedies and Lifestyle Changes
Undereye bags can often be treated with lifestyle changes and home treatments. Sitting upright with a cold, wet washcloth under your eyes for a few minutes can help reduce puffiness. Give the home remedy more pizazz by using some cucumber slices or used and chilled tea bags instead. Some basic changes in your routine--reducing your salt intake, sleeping with your head elevated, cutting back on alcohol and coffee, staying hydrated with water and getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night--may also reduce bags under the eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic and Health Services at Columbia University.
Treatment
If home remedies aren't enough to reduce your undereye bags, cosmetic treatments such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing can have a more pronounced effect, the Mayo Clinic says. Eyelid surgery, also known as a blepharoplasty, is another option. During a blepharoplasty, a plastic surgeon makes a small incision below your lashes or inside your lower lid and removes any excess fat and sagging skin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Member Comments