How to Get Rid of Under-Eye Bags Without Surgery

We’ve all looked in the mirror one day and noticed some extra puffiness under the eyes. Some people have always had it; others develop it later in life. Those pockets of skin or fat under the eye––usually referred to as under-eye bags––are quite usual to develop as you age. However, while under-eye bags are extremely common, most of us would rather do without them.

If you’ve ever had a desire to get rid of your under-eye bags, you might have even looked into laser treatments or surgeries. However, there are much easier, less drastic measures you can take to improve the appearance of and prevent under-eye bags––things that you can even start doing right now. Below are some simple tips that you can implement in your daily life.

Causes of Under-Eye Bags 

Before we get into some solutions, let’s look at common factors that can contribute to or cause bags under the eyes.

Aging 

Many people develop under-eye bags, puffiness, and swelling as they age. The area around your eyes is made up of skin, muscle, and fat. 

As you get older, the muscles and tissues around your eyes weaken; this can cause wrinkles and loose skin. The older you get, the longer you are also exposed to a little thing called gravity; as we know, gravity causes things to go downward, and the same applies to skin and fat deposits.

The fat under our eyes is a protective measure. However, some scientists theorize that, as you age, the membranes that keep this fat in place deteriorate. Others believe that the fat under your eyes actually increases as you age. Either way, the effect is the same: fat moves downwards, causing those little pockets under the eyes.

Loss of Collagen 

This is another thing that naturally occurs with aging. Generally, the structure in our skin cells comes from a protein called collagen, which also provides our skin with elasticity. As you get older, collagen production decreases, leaving you with wrinkles and bags under your eyes. 

Pollution 

Pollution from environmental factors, like mold, can irritate the skin. Both the irritation alone, and the frequent rubbing or scratching of the eye area, can make undereye bags and wrinkles worse.

Allergies

If you’ve ever dealt with allergies before, you know that they can cause your eyes to turn puffy, swollen, and even pink. As with other pollutants and irritants, they also increase the habit of rubbing or pulling around your eye area. Over time, this can cause the skin to thin and sag.

Rapid Shifts in Weight 

If you frequently find yourself gaining and losing weight through bouts of dieting and exercise, you might want to think about a more consistent lifestyle. Fad diets and frequent or rapid shifts in weight can cause the fat depositories in your face to go haywire and make them sag quicker in the long run.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Caffeine

Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol have often been shown to dry out the skin and increase signs of aging. As much as we also like to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, the unfortunate truth is that caffeine isn’t exactly good for your skin.

Fluid Retention 

Fluid retention might sound like a bit of an alarming phrase, but don’t worry––it happens almost every day. Eating a salty meal can cause some under-eye puffiness since salt retains water in the body. This is also why we tend to get puffier eyes in the morning; sleeping horizontally causes fluid to temporarily gather under the eyes.

Genetics 

Some things in life are just determined from birth. A person’s genetic make-up can affect a lot about their skin and their aging process. You might encounter some people who barely have any under-eye bags or wrinkles and others who have a lot. Some of this is due to lifestyle habits, but a part of it has to do with genetics.

Lack of Sleep 

While the idea that sleep is totally responsible for under-eye bags and dark circles is a myth, a poor sleep pattern can affect the area’s appearance. Good sleep habits are also crucial for your overall health.

Sun Exposure

While the UV rays from sun exposure are more responsible for darkening under the eyes than what we call under-eye bags, these two tricky things work together to create an overall more tired and older appearance. 

Remedies 

While you might not be able to magically make your under-eye bags disappear, there are things you can do to prevent them and reduce their appearance. Below are some tips and suggestions on how to do just that.

Cold Compress 

This is a big tip and not to be overlooked. We’ve all seen those movies where someone lounges on a couch with a green face mask and two cucumber slices over their eyes. And we’ve also all asked ourselves: does that actually do anything? The truth is––yes! Cucumber slices are one way to form a cold compress over the eyes, which soothes the skin and reduces swelling. Other versions of this can be a cool, damp cloth draped over the eyes. 

Some people use cold spoons or tea bags after putting them in the fridge overnight. Leave your cool compress on for a few minutes for soothing and quick results.

Allergy Medications 

As we’ve mentioned early, irritation and rubbing caused by allergies can worsen the appearance of the skin around your eyes. To avoid dealing with all that in the first place, get your allergies under control with some allergy medications or other treatments. If possible, try to avoid allergy triggers.

Get Quality Sleep 

For a lot of us, getting a lot of sleep is easier said than done. Although many of us might skimp on it sometimes, the recommended amount of sleep for an adult is seven to eight hours. 

Sleep can help rejuvenate your body and your mind, reducing your stress and increasing the overall productivity of your body. Try your best to get a good night’s rest to prevent the signs of aging.

Sleep With Your Head Raised 

Laying horizontally is partially responsible for that early morning puffiness due to fluid retention in the face. To reduce those under-eye bags upon waking up, try sleeping with your head slightly elevated on an extra pillow or so. This might not work for everyone––some of us are pretty stuck in our sleep position habits––but why not give it a try?

A Proper Diet 

What you eat can affect the health and appearance of your skin, including your under-eye bags. 

Collagen, an important protein in the body, plays a big role in this. As you grow older and collagen production slows down, under-eye bags become more prominent. Your body creates collagen by processing amino acids, nutrients found in food that are rich in protein. Here is a list of such foods:

• Fish
• Eggs
• Beans
• Meat
• Dairy

You should also look for foods that contain a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C rich foods include:

• Citrus Fruits
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Red and Yellow Peppers
• Green Vegetables

Foods that are rich in minerals like iron and zinc are also a good addition to your diet, as these further aid in the production of collagen. The following foods are a good place to start:

• Nuts
• Shellfish
• Beans
• Whole Grains
• Meat

Finally, bone broth is a surprisingly helpful food when it comes to collagen production. This might seem like a random suggestion, but when you make broth––usually through simmering chicken, beef, or fish bones in a pot––you draw out the collagen in these foods. 

Moisturize

The regular use of face or under-eye cream can form a protective moisturizing layer on your skin. This prevents irritation, allergens, and drying. Plenty of facial creams are also rich in beneficial nutrients. Well-moisturized skin generally looks more youthful and creases less, so try to moisturize every morning and evening. You should also remember to wear SPF for extra protection from the sun’s UV rays in the mornings.

Cut Down on Salt 

As previously mentioned, salt contributes to fluid retention in the body. This fluid retention can cause increased puffiness of the skin. For most people, not overeating salt is a healthy choice in general.

Cut Down on Smoking and Drinking 

This might be a good reason to kick the habit for those of you who are habitual smokers or drinkers. Smoking and drinking are linked to premature aging, and quitting these habits can help you maintain more youthful skin.

Don’t Be Too Rough On Your Skin

Tugging, pulling, and rubbing can all increase your chances of saggy skin and wrinkles. As much as you can, try keeping those habits to a minimum. If you exfoliate, make sure it’s no more than once or twice a week to prevent drying out your skin, and use chemical exfoliants over physical ones. It pays off to be gentle to your skin.

Conclusion 

If you struggle with under-eye bags, don’t worry––you are far from the only one. Whether from genetics, aging, or lifestyle choices, most people deal with some form of under-eye wrinkles or bags in their lifetime. With the proper care and prevention, you can reduce this and other signs of aging. Pay special attention to your diet, habits, and treat your skin once in a while––you’re sure to find some positive results.

Sources:

Bags Under Eyes | Symptoms, and Causes | Mayo Clinic

Bags Under the Eyes | American Academy of Ophthalmology

How to Get Rid of Bags Under Your Eyes | Health Essentials | Cleveland Clinic

The Best Way You Can Get More Collagen | Health Essentials | Cleveland Clinic

Why Do We Get Bags Under Our Eyes? | Scienceline

10 Steps to Banish the Bags and Brighten Your Eyes | Golden Gate Obstetrics & Gynecology