What to do with my malar bags? How to get rid of them?

Question

hello, so im 15 years old and i have these undeniably noticeable malar bags (malar fat) it makes me feel extremly unattractive & under bad lighting it looks absolutely strange. ive had a consultation before with a cosmetic surgeon in hopes that he would give me fillers & he rejected me because of my age & said its not a big deal but to me it is & even other people notice it. makeup artists try so hard to cover it up with makeup but it does no good. please tell me what i have to do? thank you.

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

You may want to talk to a doctor to see if fillers may work for you. Maybe talk to them about Belotero, or what other fillers they recommend. this is something that you do not need surgery for unless it is necessary

Gregory D. Lewen, MD, FACS · Answer

I can certainly understand why these bags are bothering you, and I think that your concerns are very reasonable.  Malar bags can sometimes appear (or worsen) as a result of an allergy or hypersensitivity to something in the environment.  The eyelid skin is some of the thinnest in the body, and so it tends to show fluid status changes more often than some other areas.  I think the most important thing to consider at this time would be to speak with your pediatrician about the possibility of some allergies.  It would also be reasonable to consider consulting with an allergist to see if there is something that can be identified in your environment that may be making the swelling worse.  A lower salt diet and drinking plenty of water can sometimes help.  Hormone changes can also cause more fluid retention at times, and this may be another point to speak to a pediatrician or OB/GYN about.  I would definitely not recommend any injections or laser treatments right now while you are still very young and growing.  Best, Dr. Gregory Lewen

David A. Schlessinger, MD · Answer

Malar bags are often difficult to treat. As you may know they are fat pads that absorb fluid. I would recommend that you start with some simple steps such as drinking plenty of water and avoiding salty and fatty foods. Other treatments include injectable dermal fillers and laser treatments. You should seek the opinion of a skilled oculoplastic surgeon.

John McCann, MD, PhD · Answer

Hi Nellienellne,Thanks for your questions and photos. Based on your photos, you do have mild malar bags. This is related to accumulation of fluid in the malar region. It is a difficult condition to treat effectively. We have had success in our practice with the injection of tetracycline into the malar region. Over the next few months, the malar bags slowly improve. However, at just 15 years old, I am not sure I would recommend any surgical or injectable interventions for you. I would wait until you are at least 18 years of age before proceeding with any cosmetic procedures. You may benefit from a consultation with a skilled oculoplastic surgeon in your area. Good luck!

What to do with my malar bags? How to get rid of them?

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What to do with my malar bags? How to get rid of them?

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