Bags under eyes

What is it?

Most of us get some bagginess, mild swelling or puffiness, with or without pigmentation, under the eyes as we get older.

What are the symptoms?

The skin under the eyes looks swollen, saggy, loose and darker in colour.

What causes bags?

Mainly the force of gravity and age. With age we lose collagen, the skin loses its elasticity, and it droops.

The eyelid muscles also weaken and sag. Then the fat which supports the whole eyeball collects below the eyes as the result of years of gravity pulling it down.

Also, the space below your eyes can accumulate fluid, making the under-eye area appear puffy or swollen. Lack of sleep, allergies, smoking, heredity – under-eye bags can run in families – all accentuate the bags.

What’s the treatment?

There’s no medical reason for treating under-eye bags but there may be a cosmetic one. You can speak to your doctor about medical and surgical treatments if you’re concerned about the appearance of under-eye puffiness.

Is it an allergy

It’s possible that the swelling under your eyes is caused by an allergy, so ask your doctor about allergy testing and prescription allergy medications.

Among surgical cosmetic approaches are:

„ Wrinkle treatments These include laser resurfacing, chemical peels and fillers, and aesthetic surgery which can remove excess skin around the eye and lessen bags under the eyes.

„ Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) During blepharoplasty the surgeon removes excess fat through an incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid or inside the lower lid, then rejoins the skin with tiny dissolving stitches.

What you can do at home

Reduce salt in your diet, don’t smoke, get enough sleep with your head slightly raised, treat allergy symptoms and use cosmetics.