Does Laser Resurfacing Work on Eye Bags?

Question

Besides laser resurfacing getting rid of acne scars, sun damage, uneven tan lines, and other skin conditions, can it also get rid of eye bags significantly?

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Laser resurfacing may help tighten the skin, but eye bags are accumulated fat cells and will have to be surgically removed. There is a new advanced technique to remove this fat which can be done as a laser blepharoplasty with less downtime. I would recommend a consult and treatment under the supervision of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for safest and best treatment options. I hope this helps.

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

Eye bags are caused by changes in fat tissue under your eyes.

	Tissue atrophy is a common part of aging. And this is enhanced by the effects of gravity.

	Laser resurfacing would not help with getting rid of eye bags.  It can only affect the skin.

	Tissue below the skin may benefit from surgical intervention like blepharoplasty

Anthony Bared, MD, FACS · Answer

No. Eye bags are caused by the protusion of fat from around the eye. Laser resurfacing around the eyes works well for fine wrinkles and provides a modest amount of skin tightening. However, laser alone to treat eye bags will leave you disappointed if it is not combined with a lower eyelid blepharoplasty.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

As you age the underlying structures loose support which can lead to bulges in places you didn't used to have them, like under your eyes. Your cheeks also loose volume making the bulges more obvious. The overlying skin thins out and loses collagen further exacerbating the bulge. Laser resurfacing helps to tighten the skin and build collagen but usually is not enough to treat a significant bulge on its own without another procedure like fat grafting or lower eyelid surgery. Best to be examined by an experienced plastic surgeon to find out what's best for you.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

If the eye bags are caused from excess fat underneath the skin, then laser resurfacing will not help. If the bags are due to only excess skin, then laser resurfacing can help. Laser resurfacing will only affect the surface of the skin, but not the tissues beneath.

Jacque P. LeBeau, MD · Answer

Depends on whether you are referring to orbital fat bulging through a weakened orbital septum causing a "double contour deformity" of the lower lid or if you are referring to "malar bags" which are in a different anatomical area and are treated differently.

	
		"Eye Bags" caused by orbital fat protrusion are best treated by making a  incision in the conjunctiva of the lower eyelid and releasing and repositioning this fat to resolve the contour irregularity.
	
		"Eye Bags" caused by edema and excessive skin in the malar region have shown to have significant improvement with profracitonal treatment in this area with the addition of subablative pulses to increase the thermal damage to the deeper structures.

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Laser resurfacing such as with ProFractional ablative laser is a great option for the areas around the eyes, but will do little for eye bags - you're better off with a surgical blepharoplasty for this bulging.

Kouros Azar, MD · Answer

Laser Resurfacing such as the Smartskin Co2 laser which I use, can be used to tighten the skin eliminating some of the bulge of lower eyelid bags. The underlying fat sometimes needs to be removed for the best result but if a patient doesnt want surgery, the laser can provide a great option for improvement. I put eyeshields in and treat all the way to the eyelashes. We also tighten the upper eyelid and brow which lifts and tightens around the eyes making you look more rested and lifted.

Grigoriy Mashkevich, MD · Answer

Hi, lower eyelid bags are usually caused by protruding fat situated deep to the skin and muscle. This is best managed with surgical excision, whereas overlying excess skin and any pigment issues can be improved with laser resurfacing. Depending on the circumstances, removal of excess lower lid skin may also be necessary. Other contouring strategies, such as injection of fillers to camouflage the tear trough region, can be considered.

	Examination of your eyelids can help devise an appropriate treatment strategy. Good luck,

	 

	Grigoriy Mashkevich MD

	New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Michael Contreras, MD · Answer

What people call "eye bags" can vary. Some refer to lax skin under the eyes as "eye bags". However, most cases involve excess fat buildup or protrusion just below the eyelids. Laser resurfacing (fractionated or full-field ablative) can certainly improve the laxity of under eye skin and the crepe like wrinkling, but only surgical intervention will correct excess fat. An evaluation by your physician would help to sort this out.

Does Laser Resurfacing Work on Eye Bags?

Answers (16)

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