Overview
Undereye bags, also known as infraorbital edema, are puffiness or mild swelling under the eyes, which can sometimes be accompanied by hyperpigmentation. It may not harm the person physically but can affect their appearance and emotional well-being. There are various causes of undereye bags, including poor lifestyle habits like smoking, poor diet, lack of sleep, and lethargy, or sometimes an indication of a serious underlying medical condition. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause. Prescription medications are required if the cause is a serious medical condition, such as dermatitis, dermatomyositis, renal disease, or thyroid eye disease. In other cases, lifestyle changes and home remedies can help improve the appearance of undereye bags. Therefore, getting a proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider is important. Keep reading for further insights on undereye bag causes, treatments, and remedies.
What causes under-eye bags?
The causes of undereye bags are various, from poor lifestyle habits to severe medical problems. Let’s first understand the causes to get rid of these undereye bags permanently:
- Irregular or insufficient sleep: In mild cases, bags under the eyes are caused by poor rest or insufficient sleep.
- Fluid retention: Consuming food high in salt content or having an active allergic condition can cause fluid to accumulate under your eyes, forming under-eye bags.
- Prolonged exposure to UV: Being out in the sun for too long or exposed to UV rays can damage the skin of the under eyes.
- Aging: As you age, the skin under your eyes becomes loose due to decreased elastin and collagen levels. This causes the under-eye skin to sag, forming bags.
- Hormonal imbalance: Medical conditions, like thyroid problems, that affect your hormonal levels can cause swelling under the eyes.
- Stress: Constant stress can cause inflammation and influence cortisol levels, increasing puffiness under the eyes.
- Genetic condition: In some cases, undereye bags appear in the family. Discuss with your provider whether your eye bags are genetic or conditional.
“The most common cause for undereye bags is loose skin that appears naturally with age. These bags become more pronounced when an individual reaches their 30s or 40s”, says Dr. Richard Honaker
How to get rid of bags under eyes?
Depending upon the cause, your GP may recommend surgical or non-surgical treatment options for undereye bags. Keep reading to explore the best-suited option for your condition.
Non-surgical treatment of undereye bags
You can benefit from non-surgical treatment options for undereye bags if the cause is underlying medical conditions, poor lifestyle habits, or stress. Here are the non-surgical treatment options:
1. Prescription Medications
Medications are prescribed to treat the underlying condition causing dark puffiness under the eyes. Common medical conditions that cause undereye puffiness include thyroid problems, kidney diseases, edema, and allergies. Here are some prescription medications for each of these conditions, respectively:
- For kidney diseases and edema: Diuretics like Furosemide are prescribed to flush out accumulated fluid build-up.
- For Allergies: To control allergic reactions and flare-ups, antihistamines are prescribed.
- For thyroid problems: Hormonal tablets like Levothyroxine are prescribed.
2. Neti Pot
By clearing out blocked sinuses, nasal irrigation via neti pot can help reduce undereye bags. It is a device used to flush out excess fluid from sinuses. Using a neti pot, saline (saltwater) is poured into one nostril and drained from the other. It is also beneficial if you are suffering from allergies or nasal infections.
3. Over-the-counter treatment options
- Retinol
Retinol can improve the appearance of undereye bags by boosting collagen synthesis. Its anti-aging properties improve not only undereye puffiness but also the overall facial skin. Retinol has also shown promise during a study in 2019, to improve elastin fiber synthesis. However, it is advised to take retinol at the doctor’s discretion during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- Sunscreen
Sunscreens are great for protection against the UV rays from the sun, preserving the epidermis layer under the eyes.
Surgical treatment for bags under the eyes
In some cases, non-surgical options may not work, for example, if your undereye bags are genetic or need instant results for stubborn dark circles. Here are some surgical procedures you can discuss with your doctor:
1. Fillers
Fillers lighten and make the undereye area appear more plump. Hyaluronic acid fillers are a popular option for undereye bags because of their collagen production support for the skin. They have short-lived but more natural results.
2. Laser treatment
While common for wrinkles, laser treatment is also performed to treat undereye bags. It resurfaces the new skin underneath the dark bags and promotes collagen generation. Laser resurfacing should be done in controlled amounts as it can have the opposite effect if done too many times.
3. Chemical peel
Like laser treatment, a chemical peel removes the superficial layer to reveal the bright skin below. One major difference is that it uses chemicals rather than laser heat.
4. Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery, also known as Blepharoplasty, is an invasive surgical procedure in which access fat is removed from the upper or lower eyelids. It can have complications ranging from swelling and dry eyes to infection, injury, loss of vision, and corneal abrasion. It is best to consult and discuss the risks with your doctor before proceeding to surgical eyelid treatment.
Home remedies for bags under eyes
Medical interventions are only one of the options to get rid of bags under your eyes. These home remedies can speed up the treatment process in addition to the medical treatment. However, in the case of light undereye bags, the use of home remedies alone can also be beneficial. Remember that they can not provide a permanent solution to severe underlying conditions but can serve as quick fixes if you are on the clock.
Getting enough sleep
If the bags under your eyes are caused by insufficient sleep, regular seven to nine hours of rest can help permanently remove them. Good sleep is also essential for maintaining good health.
Proper sleeping posture
Sleep with your head slightly elevated off your bed to keep fluid from getting retained under your eyes.
Adopting a low-salt diet
Eating foods with high salt content causes your body to retain water, leading to puffiness. Limit the amount of sodium you ingest to get rid of under-eye swelling
Apply chilled tea bags
Caffeinated tea bags, especially green tea, are a natural method for removing the bags under your eyes.
Research conducted in 2019 shows that green tea contains many beneficial polyphenols. These compounds are popularly used in anti-aging skincare products because they positively impact skin elasticity and protect against UV rays. A simple way to make use of them is:
- Soak two teabags for 5-10 minutes in water
- Refrigerate the drink for 20 minutes or till it is chilled.
- Squeeze the water out and place the tea bags under the eyes
- Leave them on for half an hour to get rid of undereye swelling.
Use a cold compress
To relieve puffiness, apply a cold compress to your under-eye bags. A cold spoon, washcloth, or cucumber kept in the freezer can be used as a cold compress. The cooling effect causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing the edema.
Doing gentle facial exercises
Gently perform facial massage or exercises to enhance blood flow around the eyes. Relaxing the muscles in the area helps reduce the bags under your eyes.
When should I see a doctor?
If your eyebags are getting darker even after enough sleep, good appetite, and healthy lifestyle habits, you need to see a doctor. Some other symptoms of concern include:
- vision problems
- irritation or itchiness near the eyes
- Redness or pain in the eyes
- develop redness or skin rash
- frequent headaches
FAQs about undereye bags
Undereye bags do not typically require surgery and can be treated with home remedies or by addressing the underlying cause. Proper rest and sleep, using a cold compress or chilled tea bags on the puffed area, and gentle facial exercises can permanently cure them in mild cases.
B12 and Vitamin K deficiencies are common causes of undereye puffiness. Add fruits, vegetables, and water to your diet to ensure you take all the required vitamins and minerals.
Massages can help drain the fluid accumulated in the undereye area. Make sure to massage the area around the eyes gently. Doing it roughly can irritate the skin and worsen the puffiness.
Hemorrhoid creams provide relief against the itchiness, swelling, and inflammation associated with hemorrhoids. However, there is no evidence that they are effective for bags under the eyes. It’s best to be careful and use medication as a medical professional prescribes.
