Bags under the eyes, puffiness, dogs – call it what you want, but most of us will inevitably be faced with this all-too-common problem at some point. For some, it's a temporary problem (remember to wake up occasionally with puffy eyes). For others, it's a more chronic condition that doesn't seem to go away no matter what you do.
This brings us to an important point: not all bags under the eyes are the same, and as such, treatment methods vary. "Under-eye bags can be one of two things. It's the result of slight swelling under the skin under the eyes, or it's herniated love cells," explains dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD. The first is the kind of bloating that only shows up once in a while – think after a bad night's sleep or a very salty meal or when dealing with allergies. The latter is usually caused by a combination of genetics and age and, as mentioned, is always present. As we age, the ligaments, tendons, and skin that covers the layer of fat under the eye begin to relax. Without that support, the fat pad becomes inflamed or swollen, explains dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD.
It is worth noting that bags under the eyes are NOT the same asdark circles, although the two overlap somewhat and many people have both. "Patients come in and say their eyes look tired or old, and it's often because they have a combination of bags and dark circles," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., board-certified dermatologist.
meet the expert
- Shereene Idriss, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, founder ofIdriss Dermatologyin New York City and creator of the #pillowtalkderm Instagram series.
- Dra. Whitney Bowe, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and author ofDirty skin beauty: The amazing science of looking and feeling radiant from within.He specializes in skin rejuvenation, laser dermatology, and the connection between nutrition and skin care.
- Dra. Ranella Hirsch, is a board-certified dermatologist in Cambridge, MA and co-founder of Atolla, a personalized skincare brand. He regularly lectures on laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology and is currently involved in various clinical studies on laser technologies and skin care.
Dark shadows are caused by thinning of the skin that makes the underlying vascularity more visible, or by actual hyperpigmentation in the skin under the eyes, explains Idriss. In other words, the causes are not the same as the pockets. That said, "when you have fat prolapse, shadowing can really occur," says Bowe. And vice versa: “Dark circles under the eyes can also create an optical illusion that makes bags under the eyes more prominent. They create the appearance of a deeper valley and make fat sacs appear tighter,” adds Idriss.
To summarize, it's important to separate eye bags from dark circles and, even more important, find out what the underlying cause of the bags is. Once you've done that, you can try the appropriate option from this list of dermatologist-recommended solutions.
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Make some changes to your lifestyle
If your pockets are really the result of temporary swelling and fluid retention, a few simple lifestyle adjustments can make a big difference. For starters, Bowe suggests sleeping on your back and/or with your head elevated; This position allows gravity to do his work and prevents excess fluid from collecting on his face and around his eyes while he sleeps.
Salt and alcohol are major contributing factors to puffiness and puffiness, including in the under-eye area, adds Idriss. (Which is why after a night of fries and margaritas at his favorite Mexican restaurant, there's a good chance she'll wake up with crazy bags.) Eliminating both while increasing your water intake can go a long way, she says. Lack of sleep can also increase your chances of getting bags under your eyes, so getting a magical eight hours of sleep is always a good idea.
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Try over-the-counter medicines
Allergies can be a big culprit for puffy eyes. If this is the case, Bowe points out that taking an over-the-counter antihistamine (also known as an allergy pill) can be very helpful. Hirsch's secret trick? "I send people to the drug store where they sell PMS pills that relieve bloating," she says. They act like a diuretic to get rid of excess fluid, she explains. (As always, check with her doctor before taking any medication.) However, if your pockets are really the result of temporary swelling (technical term: edema), try not to stress yourself out too much. "Let gravity do the trick and you'll really see improvements throughout the day," says Hirsch.
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reach for something cold
Cold temperatures help to constrict blood vessels and rapidly reduce swelling. Cold metal is ideal (the material conducts cold better), so Idriss and Hirsch recommend chilling two spoons in the freezer and pressing the backs against your eyes. "It's the easiest thing to do and it really works wonders," says Hirsch. Jade rollers or eye creams with metal ball applicator tips (again, both refrigerated) can also help.
For best results, Bowe recommends rubbing outward from the inner corner of the eye; That way, the fluid is pushed into the lymph nodes, which help with removal, she says.
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Use caffeinated eye creams for a quick fix
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one key listeningcaffeinated eye cream$ 10,00
The main ingredient in your beloved morning cup of coffee is also a good choice to look for in your morning eye cream. Both Idriss and Bowe say that caffeine is one of the best topical ingredients for reducing swelling. "It's a vasoconstrictor, which means it constricts blood vessels and provides a short-term, temporary relieving effect," explains Bowe, who also likes green tea extract for the same reason. Did the other add more? "Both of these ingredients act as antioxidants, so you'll also benefit from long-term protection against skin-damaging free radicals," he adds. Idriss likes this affordable caffeinated eye cream.
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Use retinol, vitamin C, or peptide eye creams for long-term benefits
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If your bags are more permanent, there is no topical ingredient that will remove them. However, the use of collagen-boosting ingredients (retinol, peptides, and vitamin C) can help strengthen the skin, making it stronger and thicker so that (ultimately) the prolapsed layer of fat is a little less prominent.(This can also help to better camouflage underlying blood vessels, which could be contributing to dark circles, Idriss notes.) One big caveat: Retinol and even vitamin C are notorious irritants, so be sure to formulate them made for use on the delicate skin around the eyes, Bowe warns. This First Aid Beauty eye cream is just what you need.
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Consider injectable fillers
Injectable fillers can be a great way to treat bags under the eyes caused by love handles, especially for those looking for an alternative to surgery. However, not all fillers are created equal and they are not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution. "If your skeletal structure allows it,Hyaluronic acid fillerit can help mask the bulge of the fat pad of the cheekbones," says Idriss. On the same level."
However, she and Bowe are quick to point out that HA fillers tend to be better for dealing with dark, hollow shadows. Hyaluronic acid attracts water, and if someone is already prone to under-eye puffiness and puffiness, this type of filler can only make things worse, Bowe notes. She tends to do a two-step filler process, starting first with a biostimulant filler like Sculptra. "It helps rebuild, rebuild, and tighten the skin's scaffolding, and then the hyaluronic acid filler is added afterwards," she explains. However, this process can take six to eight months to see full results, she says.
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Discuss a surgical solution with your doctor
"If the bags under the eyes are actually caused by a bulging fat pad, you can completely remove this fat pad surgically," says Hirsch. For these types of bags, this is the most effective and long-lasting solution, but here, too, there are some limitations. Hirsch points out that this is very rarely the case.Solothe fat pad that contributes to a puffy or generally aged appearance. More often than not, other things appear, such as temporary puffiness, dark circles under the eyes, and the like. Additionally, Bowe notes that after surgical removal of the fat pad, people can sometimes end up with visible dimples under their eyes that require an injectable filler.
Frequent questions
How to get rid of bags under the eyes quickly?
Applying something cold (preferably metal, like a spoon) to the area can help the swelling go down quickly. However, this only helps if the bags under the eyes are actually the result of temporary inflammation and not a fatty herniation.
How to get rid of bags under the eyes permanently?
(Video) Miracle Cream Instantly Eliminates Under Eye Bags?Surgery is the only permanent way to get rid of bags caused by a bulging fat pad once the fat pad has been completely removed.
Why don't my bags under my eyes go away?
If your bags are always there, no matter how much you sleep, how much water you drink, or what eye cream you use, they're probably the result of love handles. Some people are genetically more predisposed to this condition than others, and it tends to occur with age, although it can also occur in younger people.
Everything You Always Wanted to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask) About Under-Eye Fillers
article sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts of our articles. read ourseditorial guidelinesfor more information on how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Ganceviciene R, Liakou AI, Theodoridis A, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC.Anti-aging strategies for the skin..Dermatoendokrinol. 2012;4(3):308-319.