Bags Under Eyes? Causes, Treatment & Solutions

Do you suffer from bags under your eyes? Causes can be hard to pin down – but don’t worry, you don’t have to do it alone. In this blog post we’ll share the most common causes as well as some innovative, non-invasive solutions that will help you to look refreshed and well-rested.

There are many different types of under eye bags including puffiness, dark circles and excess skin. With over half the population living with dark circles or sagging eye bags, it’s not surprising that – they are one of the most common skin conditions we treat.

Thankfully there are some exciting and effective treatments now available.

Bags Under Eyes – Causes

So, what is causing your sagging, dark circles and bags under eyes? Causes can vary from person to person.

Genetics

Possibly the most frustrating reasons for your dark circles – your DNA. So while it can mean that you haven’t done anything to create bags under your eyes, it does mean that some of the remedies that are suggested won’t have much effect.

Irregular fat deposits under the eyes is also a genetic trait, so if your parents, siblings or grandparents have bags under their eyes, the cause may well be genetic. Dark circles, known as periorbital hyperpigmentation, can appear from as young as 16 and can make you look tired and older.

Diet

The saying ‘you are what you eat’ has truth to it. Your body reacts to certain foods, and an increase in salt means that your body retains more fluid. As well as causing bloating, it can be one of the main culprits behind your under eye bags. Fluid pools in the under eye area making it look puffy and swollen.

Fatigue

Those late nights do more than make you feel sleepy the next day. When you’re tired, blood circulation slows, particularly in the under eye area. This leads to a lack of oxygen in your blood supply – deoxygenated blood is darker and shows as bluey purple through the skin.

Allergies

Some eye bags are linked to allergies. An allergic reaction can cause congestion in your sinuses, leading to blockages in the small veins under your eyes. As well as puffiness and dark semi-circles, you may also suffer from itching and irritation.

Ageing

If you’re looking for the most common cause for bags under your eyes, then look no further than time itself. When you age, the elasticity in your skin begins to degrade – especially where your skin is thinner. Under the eyes is one of the most delicate areas, with the epidermis a quarter of the thickness of skin elsewhere.

As your collagen (the protein responsible for your skin’s plumpness) and elastin (what makes your skin ping back into shape) start to decline, your skin begins to sag. The excess skin can ‘hang’ under the eye, giving you those tell-tale eye bags.

Beating Under Eye Bags At Home

Now we know the causes of under eye bags, how can they be treated? There are lots of home remedies you can try to reduce dark circles and bags. While unlikely to completely remove them, if your symptoms are mild then these treatments may help you look more refreshed.

Eat Less Salt

As mentioned above, excess sodium in your diet is a big factor in how your body manages its fluids. Too much salt results in surplus water in your body. By eating fewer processed foods you can reduce your salt intake. Food rich in potassium like spinach and bananas helps to counter high sodium too.

Cold Tea Bags

Who knew that your morning brew could have two uses? Rather than compost the tea bag, pop it in the fridge and, once cold, place it on your eyes for 5 minutes. The cold helps to bring down any swelling and the caffeine restricts blood vessels and draws out excess water, alleviating any puffiness.

Massage

A gentle under eye massage can help to drain any fluid build-up. Pulling and stretching the skin can cause more damage, so light tapping using your middle finger is best. Working in small circles tap around your eye, up along the brow bone. This helps to increase blood flow to the area.

Creams and Gels

We can’t possibly list all of the available under eye creams and ointments available, so here’s some advice on what to look for. For reducing eye bags, look for a cream that contains caffeine, retinol (helps to speed up cell renewal) and hyaluronic acid.

Non-Invasive Solutions To Under Eye Bags

Home treatments are great for helping you to create a self-care routine, and while you may see some effects, it’s unlikely that you will get dramatic results. But you can with our non-invasive solutions.

Plexr

Plexr is a non-surgical lift that can transform your appearance without the need for cutting and a lengthy recovery. An alternative to Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rather than cutting away the excess skin, Plexr uses a device that vaporises cells. As the treated area heals, skin also naturally tightens, thanks to an influx of new collagen.

Dr Shirin is the UK’s leading Plexr practitioner, so you know you’re in safe hands.

Chemical Peel

A chemical peel rids your skin of dead cells, dirt and grease and helps to kick start your body’s skin repair response. At Elite Aesthetics, we use the most gentle chemical peels on the delicate under eye skin, and although it’s gentle on your skin it still has a dramatic effect. A chemical peel is ideal if you want to target dark shadows as well as under eye bags.

Thread Lift

Imagine being able to recreate the missing structure under your drooping eye bags. Well, that’s exactly what the thread lift does! Tiny, dissolvable sutures are threaded into your skin where they act as ‘scaffolding’, lifting your skin’s surface to create a smooth, even look. As the threads are absorbed by your body, they stimulate collagen production, giving you a long last rejuvenated look.

Tear Trough Fillers

One of our most effective solutions for under eye bags, tear trough fillers (also known as under eye fillers), offer you a safe and effective, non-surgical solution.

Using hyaluronic dermal fillers we can plump up and smooth out the area around your eye, reducing the appearance of under eye bags and minimizing shadows. Giving you more youthful eyes and a refreshed appearance.

Want to learn more about tear trough fillers? Check out our blog post here… 

Are You Ready To Eliminate Your Eye Bags?

Fed up with bags under your eyes? Causes may be hard to pin down but that doesn’t matter. If you’re ready to ditch the eye bags, then just get in touch to arrange a consultation. We’ll be able to advise you on the most suitable treatment for your under eye bags and shadows.

Our multi-award winning clinic is only 20 minutes from London,  just 10 minutes from Dartford and Gravesend station and 15 minutes from Maidstone.