Puffiness under the eyes, sometimes referred to as bags under the eyes, may be a temporary or chronic problem. Such puffiness is usually not a symptom of a more serious medical problem, and can be alleviated through home remedies. You can also disguise the appearance of eye bags through cosmetic treatment.
Identification
Bags under the eyes can be identified through mild swelling of the tissue under the eyes. They may also be accompanied by dark circles and saggy or loose skin. By themselves, eye bags and puffiness are harmless. However, if you are also experiencing severe itching, pain or redness under the eyes you should consult a doctor.
Causes
One of the primary causes of eye bags and puffiness under the eyes is the aging process. As the muscles supporting the eyelids weaken, the surrounding skin and fat tend to sag beneath the eyes. The area under the eyes also has a tendency to accumulate fluid, particularly if you are affected by fluid retention or allergies. If other members of your family also exhibit eye bags and puffiness, you may have a genetic predisposition to the problem.
Home Remedies
Home remedies include sleeping with your head slightly raised to avoid fluid retention, and avoiding salty foods that cause your body to hold on to water. Get plenty of rest, as lack of sleep can contribute to dark circles and puffiness. As much as possible, reduce any contact with allergy-producing substances that might be causing an under-eye reaction. Using a cold compress or cucumber slices on the eyes can also help because cold constricts the blood vessels and reduces swelling.
Cosmetic Treatment
Look for caffeine among the ingredients in eye creams, because it stimulates and tightens excess skin. Celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter suggests using certain makeup tricks to disguise sagging eye skin. When choosing eye shadow, stick to neutral, nude colors close to your own skin tone. Instead of a hard eye pencil, use an eyeliner brush dipped in gray, brown or black shadow to draw a thin line as close as possible to the base of the upper lashes; this will give eyes a soft, natural appearance.
Skin and Surgical Treatments
Skin procedures such as laser treatments or chemical peels are primarily used to correct wrinkles, but they may have the added benefit of tightening the skin, thus improving the appearance of bags under the eyes. Eyelid surgery, or lower lid blepharoplasty, can provide a longer-lasting solution to eye bags and puffiness. It can also correct the wrinkling that occurs from sagging eyelid skin. In this surgery, the doctor makes tiny incisions inside or around the eye lid, removing excess fat and skin.
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