Overview

When dehydrated, the skin under the eyes becomes loose and weak, which leads to the formation of bags. Dehydration can leave the skin around your eyes loose and sunken. Bags under the eyes, which can include swelling and discoloration, are a common skin problem. Although many people believe that bags under the eyes are solely related to lack of sleep, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, bags under the eyes can be caused by a number of reasons, including physical changes in pigmentation as well as loss of sleep. 

What are bags under the eyes?

Bags under the eyes, also called eye bags, form when weakened and sagging skin relaxes and creates a pouch. The fat pads under the eyes then slip down to fill the space, giving the appearance of a "bag."

What causes bags under the eyes?

After a late night or a good cry, anyone can experience bags under their eyes. But for some of us, the bags last long after the tears have dried. also if you don't remove your makeup before bed, it can irritate the tissue under your eyes, causing it to swell.

Eye bags  can be caused by many factors, including age, diet, sleeping habits, and even your surroundings. If you are suffering from dark circles and bags under your eyes, this may indicate that you need to make changes. Eye bags-mild puffiness or swelling under the eyes-usually occur with age. 

Aging is the most common cause of bags under the eyes. As we get older, we experience a loss of fat padding and collagen, the major component of connective tissues in skin, muscles and other body parts.

Some people are simply prone to having under-eye bags because it runs in the family. If your mom or dad had them, chances are you will too.

Although alcohol is a liquid, it dehydrates the body. When you are dehydrated, the skin under your eyes becomes flabby and weak, causing bags to form. Allergies and some medications can also make your eyes look puffy.

Smoking can  also contribute to faster collagen loss. This makes the delicate skin under your eyes even thinner, leading to more visible blood vessels.

How can I get rid of bags under my eyes?

Several home remedies can help reduce or eliminate the swelling of bags under the eyes due to puffiness and shadows. 

Applying cold cucumber slices, tea bags or cold compresses to each eye is thought to help reduce swelling. You can also wear sunglasses and a hat to protect the skin under the eyes. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as drinking water, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, taking care of the skin, and avoiding unnecessary sun exposure, can significantly change the appearance of eye bags. 

Tea isn’t just for sipping. You can actually use caffeinated tea bags under your eyes to help with dark circles and bags.

Cooling the area lessens inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow. You can place anything cold, such as an ice pack, frozen bag of vegetables, chilled cucumber slices or refrigerated spoons, over closed eyes for a few minutes.

Remove makeup before going to bed. Improving your night work and rest will also help you avoid eye bags. Use a good daily moisturizer to keep your skin healthy (just choose a gentle eye contour formula). Although skin care products do not magically eliminate all sagging, they can significantly improve the overall appearance of the under-eye area.

When to see a doctor?

If you’ve adjusted your daily routine to try and fix the problem, and see no changes, check in with your doctor. There may be other reasons. See your doctor if the swelling is severe, persistent, painful, itchy or red.

Takeaway

While limited sleep may not actually cause dark circles, poor sleep can make your skin look paler. Bags or shadows under the eyes can give the impression of fatigue, but this is usually harmless.

When eye bags are the result of environmental or health problems, simple home remedies and lifestyle changes can help reduce their appearance.

Sometimes patients need multiple treatments to treat bags under their eyes. if you have tried some or all of the  home remedies and are not satisfied with the results, there are surgical procedures available to remove bags under the eyes. 

DISCLAIMER           

Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.