Eye Bags Treatment

Eye Bags Treatment Information

During our youth, eye bags are usually a minor and temporary annoyance, however eye bags commonly become a chronic condition as we age. Most of the time, eye bags are labeled as a cosmetic problem, but sometimes eye bags can cause functional problems, such as vision obstruction.

Types of eye bags:

• Lower eyelid bags - bulging lower eyelid fat, facial volume loss, and cheek descent may all contribute to lower eyelid or under-eye bag formation
• Upper eyelid bags - excess tissues and skin laxity around the upper eyelid may contribute to upper eyelid bag formation

There are many treatments and remedies available to correct or reduce eye bags, and the right treatment for you depends both on the type and cause of your eye bags.

Eye bags causes

Potential causes of eye bags or puffy eyes may include:

• Aging
• Fluid retention (due to hormones, medications, environmental factors)
• Allergies
• Sleep deprivation
• Smoking
• Stress
• Heredity

To get rid of bags under your eyes, a doctor may recommend that you get more sleep or alter your sleeping position (to elevate the position of your head). An evaluation of your allergies, medications, and general health may also be recommended.

The most effective and permanent solution for eye bags is often surgery. Surgical procedures indicated for eye bags treatment include:

• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
• Cheek lift

Plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and oculoplastic surgeons, perform eyelid surgery to remove excess skin and tissue from the eyelids. Conventional lower eyelid surgery involves the addition, removal, or reponsitioning of fat and sometimes skin. To minimize scarring, lower eyelid surgery incisions are often made inside the eyelid (transconjunctival blepharoplasty). A surgical cheek lift, with or without fat restoration, may also be indicated for those whose eye bags are caused by cheek descent associated with aging.

 Non-surgical options to get rid of eye bags include:

• Fat injections
• Injectable fillers

Non-surgical eye bags treatments work by adding volume to correct under eye uneveness or smooth the transition from under eye to upper cheek. In addition to fat, Restylane, an injectable filler made of hylarunoic acid,  is also frequently recommended to improve eye bags.

Preventing eye bags

Here are a a few ways to prevent and reduce moderate puffiness and under eye bags:

• Get enough sleep! For most people, 6-8 hours of sleep is necessary for optimum health.
• Sleep with your head slightly elevated so fluids don't accumulate around your eyes as you sleep. If needed, use a second pillow.
• Using compresses to soothe and cool the eye area may help reduce eye puffiness. Recommended compress materials include chilled cucumber or raw potato slices and chamomile, green, or black tea bags.
• Try to reduce your allergy symptoms by avoiding allergens and using prescription products if appropriate.
• Avoid smoking and sun exposure, as they can accelerate the aging process.

Sources: George Beraka, MD; Jeannette Graf, MD; Brent Moelleken, MD; Erik Austin, DO