Bagginess under the eyes may also be due to genetics, and in these cases, are difficult to resolve and may be more permanent. They may appear almost overnight, may develop over time, and may stay for as long as the underlying cause is unresolved.
Drinking more water and applying a cold compress can help shrink eye bags quickly, but the only way to reduce their appearance in the long term is to make a few lifestyle changes. This is especially true if your eye bags and dark circles are genetically inherited.
What Causes Bags Under the Eyes? Lack of eyelid fat, constricted blood vessels, and thin skin are some of the causes of bags under the eyes. These reasons are impacted by lack of sleep, stress, poor diet, smoking, fluid retention, allergies, and genetics. Bags under the eyes can be hereditary.
Get enough sleep. Being well-rested can help reduce swelling around your eyes. Try sticking to a low-sodium diet. Salt induces your body to retain water, which can cause bags and puffiness.
Eye bags or “dark circles” under the eyes are common in people of all ages. Factors such as dehydration, lack of sleep, a poor diet, stress, and allergies play a role. Younger people often display temporary eye bags, which fade away in less than 24 hours.
Baggy eyes — swelling or puffiness around the eyes — are common as we age. With aging, the tissues around the eyes stretch and distend. The skin becomes lax and balloons outward. Normal fat that surrounds the eyeballs can move into the upper and lower eyelids, causing the lids to look puffy.
High-salt diet: Eating a lot of salty foods causes you to retain water and leads to swelling. Allergies: Congestion and inflammation from allergies can sometimes exacerbate under-eye puffiness. Medical conditions: Some health conditions such as thyroid problems can cause the eyes to become swollen.
In other words, sleep deprivation causes dark circles. It can also cause eye bags, which is the puffy, swollen appearance of the under-eye area. This can occur when fluids leak into the skin. Research indicates that dark circles and puffy eyes aren't the only cosmetic consequences of lack of sleep.
You may notice puffy eyes as you age or for a number of temporary reasons, such as lack of sleep, poor diet, or seasonal allergies. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits may improve your puffy eyes in just a short time.
Swelling and puffiness around the eyes after sleeping or crying is perfectly normal. It is harmless and usually goes away on its own. Anyone who has swollen eyes and other symptoms of a health issue in the area, such as pain, discharge, or visual disturbances, should receive medical attention.
“Promoting lymphatic drainage is a technique that I teach my patients who are prone to fluid retention in the area,” Dr. Jeanniton says. She recommends a gua sha stone massage to the lower lid, focusing on an upward and outward motion to encourage lymphatic movement.
There are many treatments that can eliminate the appearance of under eye bags without the need for surgery including dermal fillers, microneedling, chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and a variety of topical skin care products.
This swelling usually subsides when the body reabsorbs the fluids, though this can sometimes require a few weeks of waiting time. In the meantime, Knaggs suggests gently massaging your face, including the skin under your eye, to help improve the circulation and temper the fluid buildup.
Dehydration. Dehydration, alcohol, or too much salt all cause the tissues under the eye to look loose and take on a sagging appearance. Drinking water can plump the tissues back up, making them look smoother and more attractive.
It seems that many of the colloquial cues, such as droopy/hanging eyelids, red eyes, dark circles under the eyes, and pale skin, are indicative of both sleep deprivation and looking fatigued.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night to eliminate bags or dark circles under your eyes. It also recommends elevating your head on a pillow to reduce the swelling that accumulates around your eyes while you sleep.
Infrequent and erratic sleep patterns inhibit the body from repairing itself, which can make your eyes appear puffy and swollen. Reduce the appearance of under-eye bags by getting about seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
High-salt diet: Eating a lot of salty foods causes you to retain water and leads to swelling. Allergies: Congestion and inflammation from allergies can sometimes exacerbate under-eye puffiness. Medical conditions: Some health conditions such as thyroid problems can cause the eyes to become swollen.
Use a cold compress
A cold compress reduces swelling. Buy a cold compress at your local pharmacy or make your own by covering a bag of ice cubes with a cloth or freezing two spoons. Place the compress on your under-eye bags for several minutes or until it reaches room temperature to reduce puffiness.
Surgery for eye bags can range from between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the doctor, the type of surgery being performed, and what exactly is required. Talk to your doctor ahead of time to discuss all potential costs and fees that may be associated with a blepharoplasty.
Puffy eyes typically are simply due to aging, genetics, and possibly lack of sleep. But sometimes, swollen eyelids are mistaken for puffy eyes. When swollen eyelids occur suddenly, it might be a sign you have an underlying medical problem.