I'm 18 years old with bags under my eyes, what do I do?

Question

Since I was a toddler I've had puffy eyes, over the years they've grown worse and worse. Now I have dark, wrinkled, bags under my eyes. This isn't how an 18 year old girl should look. It makes me hate myself. I don't think I could afford surgery, is there anything you can suggest?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Dark under eye circles can make you look tired and older than you are. I would use a combination protocol that includes topical Melarase creams first, followed by a combination of injectable fillers, fractional laser, and RF to blend out the eyelid hollowness and tighten the skin. 
Recommended Creams: Melarase Brightening Kit
MelaClenz
Melarase AM
Melarase PM
Melapads
Replenish Retinoid Cream
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

I WOULD TRY FILLERS BEFORE GOING IN AND DOING SURGERY , THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAT TRANSFER AND FILLERS ARE FILLER ARE LESS INVASIVE AND CAN LAST 6-9 MONTHS SOMETIMES UP TO A YEAR DEPENDING ON WHICH ONES. FAT TRANSFERS ARE USUALLY SURGICALLY DONE WITH LIPO AND TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER AREA OF THE BODY. A FAT TRANSFER CAN ALSO BE DONE THROUGH A LOCAL AFTER SURGERY FOR A REPEAT FAT INJECTION. FAT INJECTIONS OR TRANSFERS ARE USUALLY MORE PERMANENT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU MAY WANT TO SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT IN A CONSULTATION AND SEE WHAT YOUR OPTIONS ARE.
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Edgardo Zavala, MD · Answer

It seems extreme at your age but the size of the eyebags is significant and the only real and permanent solution is a lower eyelid blepharoplasty done through the conjunctiva. I have performed a few surgeries in patients in your age range and patients have really looked much better. Consult an experienced surgeon that has done this procedure many times and can show you the results in before and after pictures. Good luck

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

A combination approach will give the most improvement. Fillers, lasers, and microneedling/PRP can improve under the eyes. My patients try to get non surgical treatments to avoid surgery. We use PRP and stem cells there often. I suggest consulting with an expert to develop a treatment plan best suited for your short and long term goals. Best, Dr. Emer

Paul Nazemi, MD · Answer

Hell and thank you for your question.  I can appreciate your frustration with the issue presented.  Without a photo, it is difficult to comment on the best treatment plan for your specific condition.  In general, when caused by herniation of the lower eyelid fat pads, the bulges can be treated with blepharoplasty.  This is the surgical removal or repositioning of the lower eyelid fat pads.  Dermal fillers to the area and/ or skin peels are other treatment options, depending on the cause and nature of the problem.  See a specialist for a complete exam.

Emily M. Bratton, MD, FACS · Answer

In younger patients with this configuration, it is important to watch for things that could make the puffiness fluctuate on a daily basis, such as eating a salty meal and attempt to avoid those things.  Some people are born with a predisposition to under eye bags.  Non-surgical options are aimed at restoring volume to the cheek and under eye area with filler products, such as Restylane and Juvederm.  The nice things about these products are that they can be dissolved if the outcome is suboptimal.  The downside is that they can be costly (although less so than surgery) and repeated injections (every 6 months to 1 year) are required.  Other options include improving the skin tone and quality with skin care products.  Lasers and chemical peels may also help with the skin tone.  Hope this helps!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You will probably find the best result from a combination of treatments.  Fillers work well to disguise irregularities under the eye.  Lasers, chemical peels, and microneedling (Skin Pen) help to improve overall texture of the skin.  Do not forget to wear sunscreen every day as well.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question. Although many doctors are injecting fillers or fat into dark circles, results are often disappointing.
The most effective permanent solution for eye bags and dark circles is a procedure called Transconjunctival Arcus Marginalis Relase and Fat Grafting. You can read more about it in the link below.
Be sure to find a Plastic Surgeon who is an expert in eyelid surgery. This is a relatively new sophisticated technique that few have a great deal of experience in.

Juris Bunkis, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

The puffiness you have is caused by a small pocket of fat that can be removed to smooth out your lower eyelid.    Those fat pockets are hereditary and not under dietary control (they do not go away with weight loss or get worse with weight gain).    I have removed such fat in a number of teenagers very successfully.     It is a simple half hour procedure and no external incisions are required.    Another option would be to try to camouflage the bulge by injecting fillers around it but that is a horrible option for someone your age - in a year or two, you will have spent more on fillers than what the procedure would have cost.

I'm 18 years old with bags under my eyes, what do I do?

Answers (9)

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