Eye Bags: What are they & how do I get rid of them?

What are eye bags under the eyes?

Mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes are known as eye bags. These are a common complaint and, unfortunately, are just another side effect of the aging process.

Date: 17th December 2020

Last reviewed: 1st December 2023

What are eye bags under the eyes?

Mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes are known as eye bags. These are a common complaint and, unfortunately, are just another side effect of the aging process. Having eye bags can have a negative impact on a person’s self-confidence. Luckily, it is easy to eliminate bags under the eyes with some simple surgery that we offer here at the Cadogan Clinic.

What causes eye bags under the eyes?

Ageing is one of the major causes of eye bags. With aging, the tissues around the eyes, including some of the muscles supporting the eyelids, weaken. Normal fat that helps to support the eyes moves into the lower eyelids, causing the lids to appear puffy. Fluid also may accumulate in the space below your eyes, making the area swell even further.

There are a number of other things that can cause eye bags, including sleep problems, allergies, drinking alcohol, smoking, eating too many salty foods, overexposure to the sun and not removing make-up properly before going to bed, which can all irritate the delicate area underneath the eye. In some cases, eye bags are hereditary.

Bags under the eyes do not normally impact on your vision or health. However some cases of under-eye bags may be as a result of infection or other health problems and require a visit to a doctor.

What am I lacking if I have bags under my eyes?

If eye bags are accompanied by dark circles under the eyes, this can be a sign of low iron levels. Under eye bags can also be a sign of a lack of sleep and not drinking enough water.

Puffy eyes can also be the sign of an allergy. If you feel you may have an undiagnosed allergy, you should make an appointment to see a specialist.

Can eye bags go away?

Making long-term lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, drinking more water and improving your diet, can lessen the appearance of eye bags or 'tired eyes'. However naturally-occurring eye bags are down to your skin, tissue, subcutaneous fat deposits, and driven by genetics, so lifestyle changes may not procure you the results you'd like as these kind of 'tired eyes' aren't linked to lifestyle.

How do I get rid of bags under my eyes?

It is possible to reduce the appearance of eye bags by using a cool compress, getting enough sleep, sleeping with your head slightly raised and both cutting down on fluids before bedtime and eating less salt will help to prevent fluid retention. Smoking can aggravate under eye bags, so this is another good reason to quit.

However, these home remedies and making lifestyle changes are not enough to banish naturally occurring under eye bags, which are down to your tissue and skin rather than any external factors. Eye bag removal surgery is the only way to get rid of eye bags completely. Eye bag removal is suitable for men and women.

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How to remove bags under eyes permanently?

The best treatment to rid yourself of eye bags for good is eyelid surgery. Eye bag removal surgery is suitable for both men and women.

How long does a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) last?

Blepharoplasty results generally last for 10 years or sometimes longer. Although eye bag surgery rolls back the years, the ageing process will continue from this new starting point. This rate of ageing depends on a number of factors such as genetics, sun exposure and smoking.

What is the best treatment for eye bags?

Cosmetic Surgery

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Reduction)

Eyelid reduction, or blepharoplasty, removes loose skin and fat pockets around the eyes.

The eye bag removal surgery begins with a surgical incision underneath the eye. Fatty deposits are then surgically removed and excess skin cut away, before the incision points are sewn back together. Scars are hidden in the folds of the eye.

Here at the Cadogan Clinic, our qualified practitioners will carry out this safe, highly-effective surgical procedure in just 45 minutes to one hour. Patients will be able to leave the clinic on the same day to recover in their own home. Not only is this a more comfortable environment in which to convalesce, but it also reduces the risk of infection. Post-surgery nursing care is included in the price of treatment.

Treatments mentioned in this article

Face & Eyes

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Reduction)

Eyelid reduction, or blepharoplasty, removes loose skin and fat pockets around the eyes.

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