Eye bags are a common sign of aging, even among young adults. Eye bags appear over time as the tissue structure and muscles supporting your eyelids start to weaken, and strain the area underneath your eyes.
Bags under the eyes often occur due to temporary conditions but can remain present long-term. Under eye bags generally don’t pose health risks for most individuals, but in severe cases can be problematic if the eye bags obstruct the vision.
The good news is, there are various surgical and non-surgical options available to reduce the appearance of eye bags. GraceMed’s Toronto plastic surgery clinic offers various effective solutions for your under eye bags problem and will work with you to identify the right treatment option to suit your needs.
Our specialists will examine your eyes, determine the reason for your eyebags, and suggest treatments accordingly. Many of our clinics in the GTA and surrounding regions offer a range of procedures, including minimally invasive options to help treat under eye bags.
Learn more about under eye bags and how they can be treated.
What Are Under Eye Bags?
Under eye bags appear as mild swelling, puffiness, and darkness under the eyes. They more commonly occur in aging adults but can happen at a younger age. People get under eye bags due to various reasons, including genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits.
What Causes Under Eye Bags?
People develop under eye bags for various reasons. Some of the most common causes of under eye bags are:
Genetics
Under eye bags could be a genetic issue that runs in your family. You might be prone to developing under eye bags if your parents or grandparents have them. When under eye bags are hereditary, the vessels under your eyes dilate due to inborn allergies, and the poor blood circulation causes vessels to build up under the eyes.
Medical Conditions
Some health conditions, such as thyroid, dermatitis, kidney problems, and renal disease, can cause under eye bags. In this case, you should try to treat the medical condition before focusing on removing your under eye bags, as they reappear if your medical condition is persistent.
Allergies
Certain allergens in your environment can trigger your immune system and cause under eye bags. Allergies like sinus problems can cause swelling in the sinus tissue, resulting in puffiness around your eyes. If you’re consistently in an area with allergens around you, the under eye bags may develop over time and become more prominent.
Fluid Retention
Consuming a high-salt diet can cause fluid retention, resulting in under eye bags. When your body retains water from salty foods, it can lead to swelling in various areas, including your eyes.
Sun Exposure
Unprotected sun exposure can damage skin cells and collagen that contribute to keeping your eyes firm. The sun can also darken the skin under your eyes. Since the skin under the eyes is very sensitive, the region can pigment more than other areas.
Lifestyle Habits
Lifestyle habits such as smoking can affect the skin around your eyes. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO), smoking is a drying agent that increases evaporation of the eye’s natural moisture, leading to discomfort and dry eye symptoms,
Consuming alcohol frequently can also contribute to under eye bags as it dehydrates the skin, causing sagginess under the eyes.
Aging
Under eye bags are a natural part of aging for many adults. The skin loses firmness and muscles as you get older, which leads to under eye bags. Aging is one of the most common reasons for under eye bags, and this is not something you can stop without appropriate treatments.
Treatment Options
The best treatment to reduce under eye bags will depend on what’s causing them. These are some of the most common treatments for under eye bag removal:
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a procedure that repairs droopy eyelids by correcting deformities and removing excess skin, muscle, and fat. Patients undergo this surgery to reverse signs of aging or remove inherited traits.
GraceMed’s Toronto blepharoplasty surgeons will select a surgical technique for you that they feel will produce the best outcome based on your unique features. If you’re undergoing the procedure to reduce the appearance of under eye bags, discuss this with your surgeon, and they will find an appropriate technique for you.
Depending on the problem you want to target, you may require upper blepharoplasty or lower blepharoplasty. Both techniques will include an incision that our experts will carefully make while ensuring no prominent marks after the treatment.
Blepharoplasty is a standard under eye bags treatment among many adults. Although many women prefer this surgery, it is also a common male plastic surgery procedure used for men to reduce under eye bags or improve their overall appearance.
You can also combine specific cosmetic treatments with eyelid surgery for under eye bags treatment like dermal fillers. Facial dermal fillers are injectable products that can reduce signs of aging and help people look youthful. Dermal fillers that can refine results while effectively treating dark circles and puffiness below the eyes.
Fillers
You can also use fillers as a primary source of treating under eye bags. Injecting fillers under the eyes can fill the volume lost by aging and can also boost collagen production and lighten dark circles while reducing different types of wrinkles.
Discuss your goals with our specialists to determine the best type of filler for your under eye bags. Our clinics offer many types of fillers, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs. We offer both Resytlane® or Juvéderm®. Juvéderm® is one of the most popular choices for filler because it has stronger centration of hyaluronic acid, which is safe and effective for under eye bags treatment.
Fillers are generally a more affordable treatment option and are preferred for individuals with busy lives who may not have time for the recovery that follows a surgical procedure. Filler under eye bag treatments last anywhere between six to 18 months, depending on the type of treatment you choose.
Laser Skin Surfacing
The Halo Laser Skin Surfacing treatment hybrid fractional (a combination or dual laser) is another non-surgical treatment that can help you remove your under eye bags. The fractional laser allows treatment on a fraction of your skin so that you can target specific areas.
Halo can tighten the skin in the under eye through radiofrequency technology, decrease pigmentation, and increase collagen production. Tightening the skin around the eyes can reduce puffiness and under eye bags.
Since everyone’s skin is unique, Halo can be fine-tuned to treat your condition safely. GraceMed specialists can customize the treatment based on your aesthetic goals and skin type.
Botox
Botox injections in the lower eyelid can decrease puffiness and reduce under eye bags. It can also target wrinkles around the eyes, which contribute to other signs of aging.
If you choose a different treatment for under eye bag treatment, you can also combine it with Botox to achieve better results. Although the results can vary among people, the injection can reduce stubborn lines and crow’s feet, making skin appear younger.
It is essential to determine whether Botox is the right option for your individual needs. Visit a GraceMed Toronto Botox clinic and discuss your concerns with our specialists to find out if you should get Botox or another treatment for your under eye bags.
Chemical Peels
When you’re trying to reduce under eye bags, chemical peels might be the first choice for many people as minimally invasive. A chemical peel is a treatment that improves the skin’s texture by applying a chemical solution. The procedure eventually removes the artificial layer of the skin, revealing healthier skin.
When used for under eye bags treatment, a chemical peel may be removed when the upper layer of the skin peels off and healthier skin starts to form. The procedure may also increase collagen to thicken the skin under your eyes and reduce darkness or puffiness.
Home & Lifestyle Remedies
If you’re wondering how to get rid of under eye bags without medical procedures, consider home remedies or alter lifestyle habits. Check out these home and lifestyle remedies that could be under eye bag treatments.
Cold Compress
A cold compress can reduce swelling and inflammation by reducing blood flow, reducing under eye bags. You can purchase a cold compress at the store or do it yourself at home. DIY options include ice cubes, frozen vegetables, water, or chilled teaspoons. You can place many things in the fridge or freezer leave them on your eyes for a while once chilled.
Cooling the eyes with a cold compress can also be valuable during your blepharoplasty recovery process. If you choose under blepharoplasty for under bags eye treatment, a cold compress can reduce discomfort and inflammation in treated areas.
Teabags
Using caffeinated tea bags under your eyes can reduce puffiness and dark circles. The caffeine in tea contains antioxidants that increase blood flow to your skin and slow down aging. A study found that green tea is particularly effective due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
To use tea bags as a remedy for under eye bags, steep two tea bags for approximately five minutes and let them chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. Once the bags are cold, squeeze out the liquid and place them on your eyes for about 20-30 minutes.
Increase Hydration
Dehydration can cause your under eye skin to look saggy or droopy, but increasing your hydration levels improves circulation, removing excess fluid from the eye area.
Try to replace dehydrating drinks such as alcohol with water whenever possible. Set a goal to consume at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. You can also incorporate water-rich foods into your diets, such as watermelon and cucumbers.
Reduce Allergy Symptoms
Allergies can cause swelling in sinus tissue, causing puffiness under the eyes. When nasal passages are congested, it increases pressure in the nose, preventing blood supplies from the face to the heart. The blood pools in the veins can cause dark circles. Some fluid inside the veins can also enter the tissues under the eyes and increase puffiness.
Eliminating allergy symptoms by understanding the triggers and using appropriate medicine or remedies can reduce under eye bags.
Elevate Head While Sleeping
Some fluid may build up around your eyes when you sleep, resulting in under eye bags. The best way to reduce this is by sleeping with your head elevated. You can use extra pillows under your head to slightly elevate your head, which will reduce puffiness by lowering the fluid pooling in your lower eyelids.
Other Options
Medications
You can consult a doctor or dermatologist to determine the cause of your under eye bags. Once you know the reason, the specialists may prescribe medication to treat the underlying issue. For example, if your under eye bags appeared due to allergies, they may prescribe allergy medication.
You may also find lightening or anti-puffiness creams to treat the area directly. However, this option may not provide consistent or quick results.
Cosmetics
Until you find a permanent solution to reduce your under eye bags, you can use makeup to mask the area. Although this is a very temporary solution, it can reduce the appearance of puffiness and boost your confidence.
Visit GraceMed for Under Eye Bag Treatment
Figuring out how to reduce under eye bags is simpler when you have the proper guidance. Choosing specialists for your under-eye treatment is essential because the eye area is very delicate and requires intricate care and expertise.
Our experts at GraceMed possess extensive qualifications and have access to modern equipment – a combination that can effectively reduce under eye bags.
To obtain more information about your under eye bags treatment options, book an appointment to schedule your consultation at one of our locations. Get started today to remove your under eye bags tomorrow!
