How To Get Rid Of Unsightly Eye Bags

Our bodies are constantly going through changes day in and day out. Some changes are invisible to the naked eye, while some are painfully obvious.

For many, the appearance of bags under the eyes is an unwelcome change. Though eye bags themselves aren’t usually a cause for concern, it’s often not a great look for us. They make us look tired and make us seem older than we actually are.

In this blog, we’re going to look at what causes these eye bags and hopefully gain an understanding of how to delay or prevent them. We’ll also discuss possible treatments to reduce the puffiness or swelling under the eyes.

Common causes

• Age
  The most common cause of eye bags is aging. As you get older, the muscles around your eyes will start to weaken and the skin will begin to sag. This causes the fat to gather below your eyes, creating those bags. Though this might not result in a flattering look, this process is entirely natural and isn’t generally a cause for concern.That being said, there are things you can do to reduce the markers of aging. This includes getting good sleep, reducing alcohol intake, reducing stress, and eating a healthy diet.

• Allergies
  Allergic reactions can also cause inflammation and aggravate the swelling and puffiness under your eyes. You might also experience itchiness and some pain. Food, insects, animals, and medication can all cause allergic reactions.If you’re experiencing severe symptoms like tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing, you should see a health professional as soon as possible.

• Underlying medical conditions
  Thyroid disease, dermatitis, renal disease and other medical conditions can also cause eye bags to form under your eyes.If you have any of these conditions or if you suspect you have similar symptoms, consider seeing a general practitioner. This will help you pinpoint the cause of the swelling and possibly treat other symptoms as well.

• Diet
  A diet that is high in salt can cause high water retention. This can cause swelling and puffiness around your eyes. Once again, eating a well-balanced diet can prevent this problem.

Possible Treatments

1. Filler
   One of the most effective ways to deal with eye bags is getting a dermal filler injection. Dermal fillers are usually made of a biodegradable synthetic material, hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite. The filler is injected under the skin to replace lost volumes in certain areas around the face. This can reduce the appearance of sagging skin and give your face more structure.Unlike other cosmetic treatments, filler injections are generally non-invasive and don’t require you to go through a long recovery period. There will likely be some swelling after the procedure, but it should go away within one or two days.

2. Laser resurfacing
   With laser surfacing, there are two types of lasers that are commonly used. There’s an ablative laser and a non-ablative laser.Ablative lasers remove the outermost layer of our skin (the epidermis) and heats up to the layer underneath it (the dermis). This increases collagen growth which is said to promote skin rejuvenation.Non-ablative lasers, on the other hand, do not remove the epidermis. It’s a gentler procedure that simply stimulates collagen growth. That being said, the results that the non-ablative laser provides is not as noticeable when compared to its ablative counterpart.

3. Chemical peel
   A chemical peel is a procedure that involves using a chemical mixture on the skin to remove the upper layers. The aim is to achieve a smoother, firmer appearance once the skin rejuvenates.Depending on the clinic, you’ll have various options in terms of depth. There is the light peel, the medium peel and the deep chemical peels. Lighter peel will often have to be repeated over the course of a few weeks. They are ideal for reducing skin discolouration and dryness. Deep peels are only required once. Deep peels are only required once and are used for deeper scars and sometimes precancerous growths.

4. Home remedies
   If the above treatments seem like too much of a commitment to you, then you might want to try a few home remedies.One of the most common home solutions is the cold compress. This is when you take ice packs (or even some chilled cucumbers) and you place them over your eyes. This should reduce inflammation around your eyes.

   There are also haemorrhoid creams which narrow the blood vessels on the face, thus reducing swelling. It’s important to keep this substance away from the eyes or other sensitive areas as it can cause irritation.Creams with caffeine are also popular. Like haemorrhoid creams, caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, which makes the muscles around your blood vessels tighten to make the space inside smaller. This slows down the blood flow, which reduces inflammation.As you can see, there are plenty of ways to get rid of eye bags. However, it’s important to prioritise your overall health over small blemishes on your body. So, if you’re thinking about undergoing an invasive procedure, consider seeing a healthcare professional first for your own safety.