Bags under the eyes can mean different things. Loose skin, pockets of fat, pigmentation (change in skin colour) and natural shadowing can all result in dark circles, a fatigued appearance, or “bags under your eyes.” Though these features can be inherited (passed down from parents) and seen in youth, they often get worse with age.
Bags under eyes are mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes. They’re common as you age and the tissues around your eyes weaken, including some of the muscles supporting your eyelids. Fat that helps support the eyes can then move into the lower eyelids, causing them to appear puffy. Fluid may also accumulate below your eyes. Bags under eyes are usually a cosmetic concern and rarely a sign of a serious condition. At-home remedies, such as cool compresses, can help improve their appearance. For persistent or bothersome under-eye puffiness, eyelid surgery may be an option.
Symptoms
Symptoms of bags under eyes can include:
- Mild swelling
- Saggy or loose skin
- Dark circles
Causes
Bags under eyes are caused when the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken. The skin may start to sag, and fat that’s usually around the eye can move into the area below your eyes. Also, the space below your eyes can gather fluid, making the area look puffy or swollen. Several factors cause or worsen this effect, including:
- Aging
- Fluid retention, especially upon waking or after a salty meal
- Lack of sleep
- Allergies
- Smoking
- Genetics — under-eye bags can run in families
- Medical conditions, such as dermatitis, dermatomyositis, renal disease and thyroid eye disease
When to see Doctor
You may not like the way they look, but bags under eyes are usually harmless and don’t require medical care. See your health care provider if the condition causes vision problems, irritation or headaches or is accompanied by skin rash.
Your health care provider will want to rule out other possible causes that can contribute to the swelling, such as thyroid disease, infection, connective tissue disease or an allergy. You may be referred to a health care provider who specializes in the eyes (ophthalmologist), plastic surgery or plastic surgery of the eyes (oculoplastic surgeon).
Treatment
Therapies
Various wrinkle treatments are used to improve the appearance of puffiness under the eyes. These include laser resurfacing, chemical peels and fillers, which may improve skin tone, tighten the skin and rejuvenate the under-eye area. For people with brown or Black skin, laser resurfacing carries the risk of permanent changes in skin color (hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation). Talk with your health care provider about which laser resurfacing technique reduces this risk.
Eyelid Surgery
Depending on what’s causing bags under the eyes, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may be a treatment option. Your surgeon will tailor your blepharoplasty (BLEF-uh-roe-plas-tee) to your unique anatomy and needs, but in general the procedure involves removing excess fat through an incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid or inside the lower lid. The procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting with local anesthesia.
In addition to correcting bags under eyes, blepharoplasty can also repair:
- Baggy or puffy upper eyelids
- Excess skin of the upper eyelid that interferes with your vision
- Droopy lower eyelids, which may cause white to show below the iris — the colored part of the eye
- Excess skin on lower eyelids
Talk with your health care provider about the side effects of eyelid surgery — dry eyes, watery eyes, pain, swelling, bruising and blurred vision. Rare complications include visual loss, bleeding, infection, injury to eye muscles, corneal abrasion and drooping of an eyelid.
Remedies
The following tips can help you reduce or eliminate bags under your eyes:
- Use a cool compress:Wet a clean washcloth with cool water. While sitting up, apply the damp washcloth to the skin under and around your eyes for a few minutes using light pressure.
- Cut down on fluids before bedtime and limit salt in your diet:This will reduce the fluid retention that can cause bags under eyes.
- Don’t smoke:Smoking can aggravate the problem of bags under your eyes.
- Get enough sleep:For most adults, 7 to 9 hours is a good amount of sleep.
- Sleep with your head slightly raised:It may help to add an extra pillow or prop up the head of your mattress. Or elevate the entire head of the bed a few inches. This helps prevent fluid from accumulating around your eyes as you sleep.
- Reduce allergy symptoms:Avoid allergens when possible. Try non-prescription allergy medications. Talk to your health care provider about prevention strategies if you develop under-eye reactions due to hair dyes, soaps, cosmetics or other allergens.
- Use cosmetics:If you wish to mask your under-eye circles, try using makeup.
