There are many reasons to get rid of under eye bags. Having bags under your eyes can give those around you misgivings about your lifestyle. Your day may be tranquil and your mind serene, but people will assume you’ve been on a binge, chewing on meth to stay awake long enough to watch every episode of Law and Order without stopping or blinking. Worse yet, people may think you are old because of them, which is an offense of great magnitude in our youth-centric culture. However, in severe cases, eye bags can lead to vision impairment. So, in the name of social and economic prosperity, we must get rid of those unsightly bags under our eyes.
To a degree, how you get rid of bags under your eyes depends on the reasons they are developing. Though rare, there are some medical conditions that lead to eye bags; if this is a concern for you, or you are exhibiting other symptoms, it’s time to visit the doctor. Most of the time, under eye bags are caused by heredity and aging – if your parents have them, you probably will too. As we age, the ligaments under the eye weaken and the skin loses it elasticity, allowing fat and fluids to deposit in the eyelid. Under eye bags can also be caused – or hastened – by allergies, sleep deprivation, water retention, poor nutrition, and of course…good old hard living. For many, under eye bags are an inevitable part of growing older, but why speed up the process? Below you’ll find many common ways to get rid of bags under eyes, both in the short and long term, as well as how to prevent and slow down bag development.
Ways to Get Rid of Bags Under Eyes
Using a cold compress for 10 – 15 minutes, one to two times daily, will help get rid of the bags under your eyes for a short period.
Many “how to” sites recommend cucumber slices or refrigerated spoons. It is the cold that reduces swelling, so why put good produce on your face? This treatment won’t get rid of your under eye bags completely, and it will only work for a few hours; however, keeping the swelling down consistently will slow down the development of larger bags under your eyes – it will lessen the stress and stretching your skin endures each day.
Out of all the bizarre folk remedies, application of frozen or chilled green tea bags may be one of the few that can actually get rid of bags under eyes.
Most people apply them directly to the under eye bags for 10 – 15 minutes on a daily basis. Green tea bags work because they contain a natural anti-inflammatory called EGCG. As with a cold compress, this remedy will only get rid of bags under your eyes for a short period, but the relief will make a difference over time, slowing down under eye bag development. And if you get the tea bags, you need to drink the tea. We recommend Tazo Green Tea (link to Amazon).
You may need to address your water retention to get rid of the bags under your eyes.
Depending on genetics and anatomical features, individuals store excess fluids at different places throughout the body; for some, excess fluid pools beneath the eye lid, causing under eye bags. To combat water retention, you’ll need to reduce your sodium intake, drink plenty of water (dehydration causes water retention), get adequate exercise, avoid alcohol and severe diuretics, and eat a balanced diet. If you are suffering from water retention due to PMS, eating frequent small meals and taking Pamprin can help.
If you’ve got the cash, cosmetic fillers are a long-lasting way to get rid of bags under eyes.
There are many different types of cosmetic fillers. There is collagen, Botox, Juvedern, Restylane…and on and on. Restylane, in conjunction with small amounts of Botox or collagen, is the safest and most common treatment for under eye bags. Restylane is made of non-animal derived hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in the human body, and it is biodegradable. During the procedure, Restylane is inserted under the eye bag with a small syringe, effectively getting rid of the indentation under the eye. This procedure will get rid of bags under eyes for six months to a year, and sometimes longer.
Surgery is the only permanent method to get rid of bags under the eyes.
The most common is the eye lift (blepharoplasty), which consists of inserting a small probe into the eye bag and melting the fat. If there is any excess skin, it is pulled taut with a minor tuck. Transconjunctival blepharoplasty is less invasive, as the incision is made behind the eyelid, into the fast-healing conjunctiva, and smoothing is completed with a laser. Of course, there are many surgical techniques for removing under eye bags. Keep reading to learn more about things to consider before going under the knife.
Allergies and Bags Under the Eyes
If you suffer from allergies – especially those that irritate the eyes and sinuses – they may create or exacerbate puffiness under the eye. If your allergies are an everyday misadventure, the consistent stress on the skin around your eyes may lead to more pronounced, permanent bags under your eyes. See an allergist and be patient; for some, a simple prescription does the trick. For others, like me, resistance treatments are necessary. You may just have to avoid certain foods or environmental conditions. Getting rid of your allergies will help get rid of the bags under your eyes, as well as improve your life in myriad other ways.
Get Rid of Bags Under Eyes Naturally
Sleep.
Getting adequate shuteye will improve your health in many ways, and if it won’t completely get rid of under eye bags, it will lessen their severity and temper the speed of their development. Try elevating your head with a well placed extra pillow to help drain excess fluid. If you suffer from insomnia, strive to form routines (bedtimes), and only partake in calming activities before going to bed.
Eye Protection.
For many, developing under eye bags is part of the natural process of aging, but why speed things along? The skin around your eye is sensitive and extremely thin – it needs to be treated well. That means wearing sunglasses when it’s bright outside to prevent sun damage. If you are as wired as I am, be sure to take a break from time to time – endlessly staring at screens is hard on your lookers. You may also want to look into Anti-Glare filters to protect your eyes, Amazon sells a wide variety of them. If you’re a reader, give yourself enough light.
Healthy Living.
Sometimes under eye bags are an indicator that someone has run the gauntlet of vice, starting with cheap jugs of wine and smokes, and ending with a failed flight from a flop house on the syndicated nightly embarrassment, COPS. A good diet is vital; vitamin deficiencies can lead to baggy eyes (vitamins A, K, and E especially), as can excessive intake of sodium. Also, exercise daily. Exercise keeps fluids from pooling in unflattering places throughout your body.
Cosmetics.
Sometimes allergies to cosmetics actually create under eye bags – but generally – when skillfully applied – it can mask their appearance. You’ll want to apply an under eye primer first, but after that, how you hide your eye bags depends on your skin type, skin tone, and whether or not you also have dark circles. Generally, you want to use a concealer a few shades darker than your foundation directly on the under eye bags.
Choosing Surgery to Get Rid of Bags Under Eyes
Cosmetic surgery is the longest-lasting remedy for under eye bags; however, the decision to undergo surgery shouldn’t be taken lightly. Cosmetic surgery can be a disaster when rushed, and it is also very expensive. First of all, it should be discussed at length with your doctor as well as a cosmetic surgeon and/or dermatologist. Your surgeon should take a long look at a photo-history of your eyes, to see how they have changed over the years. The clinic you choose should be researched well; the facility should be accredited, and your surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Ask for referrals from previous patients, as well as before and after photos of their work. Lastly, be sure your doctor will be performing the procedure. Don’t allow some gang banger who took a weekend seminar to mangle the windows into your soul. And, if you decide to go overseas or to Mexico to get it done on the cheap, be sure you do your research.
