Under-Eye Bags: Overview and More (2024)

Under-eye bags describe the dark, puffy appearance of the skin under the eyes. They can form for various reasons including a few you can control such as allergies and diet. Other causes, like genetics and older age, can't be controlled.

It may be possible to get rid of eye bags or reduce their appearance, but the right strategy will depend on the cause. Some possible ways to manage eye bags include home remedies, changing your diet, using medicated creams, or undergoing certain medical procedures.

This article discusses eye bags, their causes, and how you might be able to eliminate them or reduce their appearance.

Improve Your Sleeping Habits

Eye bags can be caused by poor or insufficient sleep. The first step towards reducing them might be to make sure you are sleeping for 8 hours a night and that your sleep is restful and uninterrupted. If you have underlying conditions that are interfering with your sleep such as sleep apnea, making sure those conditions are well-managed will also help reduce eye bags.

It may also help to use a wedge pillow, so you are sleeping with your head slightly elevated above the rest of your body. This will help prevent fluid build-up in the skin under the eyes, which can reduce that puffy appearance.

Change Your Diet

What you eat can have an impact on eye bags. For example:

• Reduce your salt intake: Eat a healthy, low-salt diet if you’re prone to retaining fluids. This can help prevent puffiness.
• Eat iron-rich foods: Iron deficiency may contribute to the appearance of eye bags, so make sure you are getting enough iron in your diet.
• Eat foods rich in collagen: Since collagen loss may also cause dark circles under the eyes, it may also help to eat collagen-rich foods such as poultry, leafy greens, and bone broth.
  
• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can contribute to dark circles since it can cause you to sleep poorly.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can cause your skin to age prematurely, leading to wrinkles and eyebags. Quitting smoking can help minimize smoking-related damage to your skin.

Get Allergies Under Control

Allergies that produce nasal or sinus congestion will also increase puffiness around the eyes. Congestion can cause blood to pool in the capillaries underneath the eyes, leading to puffiness and dark circles called allergic shiners.

To prevent swelling and puffiness in the eye area, stay away from allergens as much as possible. During allergy season, make sure your allergies are under control. Taking antihistamines can help.

Check Your Thyroid

Thyroid conditions—both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism—can cause under-eye bags or circles. Managing these conditions will often help improve your eyes' appearance.

Apply Compresses

A cold compress is a good way to deal with occasional under-eye swelling and puffiness. Cooling limits swelling and reduces the appearance of tired eyes.

• Tea (green or black): An older study found that putting green or black tea bags under the eyes may help reduce inflammation.
• Ice packs: Grabbing an ice pack is a quick and easy way to manage under eye bags at home.
• Cucumbers: Try placing a cold cucumber slice under each eye. Cold cucumber can act as a vasoconstrictor, tightening the skin under the eyes.
  

Change Your Facial Care Routine

Good skin care is one way to improve the overall look of your skin, including the skin under your eyes.

• Wash your face before bed: Make-up and dirt can irritate your skin, leading to puffiness under the eyes. To prevent this, always make sure to wash your face regularly with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser.
• Apply sunscreen daily: Skipping sunscreen can lead to skin damage, which weakens the skin and makes it more prone to premature sagging. If you use only one skincare product for the rest of your life, it should be sunscreen.
  

Use Skin Lightening Products

A skin-lightening remedy, likehydroquinone, works only for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which isn't usually a cause of under eye circles. However, a vitamin C serum may brighten skin as well as encourage collagen growth and reduce wrinkles, improving the look of skin around the eye area.

Apply Topical Creams

Caffeine-infused creams and hemorrhoid ointments can both help if applied directly to the skin under the eyes. Creams containing retinol may also help.

You should be very careful when using anything around the eye area since the skin around the eyes and the eyes themselves are sensitive. However, these kinds of topicals can be effectivein reducing swelling.

Regulate Your Water Intake

Stay hydrated during the day but limit the amount of fluid you consume just before bed. Drinking too much liquid late in the evening can lead to overnight water retention.

Seek Medical Care for Under Eye Bags

If other methods haven't provided relief, ask your healthcare provider about these medical procedures that can help improve the appearance of dark circles or puffiness.

• Microneedling: This procedure involves using small needles to prick the skin under your eyes. This can help promote collagen production, leading to a reduction in the appearance of dark circles and eye bags.
• Radiofrequency: This procedure utilizes an electric current to tighten the skin.
• Intense pulsed light: This procedure helps get rid of hyperpigmentation for an even skin tone.
• Fillers: Injecting the under-eye area with dermal fillers helps smooth out the area beneath the eyes.
• Chemical peel: This method also removes layers, but via a chemical solution rather than laser. It results in skin that is brighter and more taut.
• Laser: This involves lasering the area to remove layers of skin and encourage cell growth. It’s a long-lasting remedy that helps firm up skin.
  

Surgery for Under Eye Bags

Cosmetic surgery to reduce under-eye bags is called blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). It involves lifting and tightening the skin in the under-eye area to create a smooth look. Though any surgery entails risks, blepharoplasty typically produces lifelong results.

Summary

Under eye bags are common and can be related to a number of factors, including age, genetics, diet, and lifestyle. Some of these things can be controlled, while others cannot.

You can take steps to reduce or even eliminate under eye bags. For example, reducing your sodium consumption and limiting alcohol can help. You can also apply over-the-counter eye creams with ingredients like caffeine or retinol.

If these steps don't help, there are medical procedures that can help reduce or get rid of your eye bags.