If you are young or are a more mature person; the very last thing you desire is bags below eyes.
While they usually do not cause any alarm, dark circles around the eyes give you the impression of looking older — something nobody desire.
More common as you age. It’s typically not a problem that asks for medical attention; however, the question is, what can be done to get rid of bags below eyes?
To answer that question, one first has to ask how did I get these unsightly bags in the first place?
There are various causes, but commonly skin tissues surrounding the eyes and eyelids gets weak and sag,
that makes fluid accumulating below the eyes, which makes puffiness below the eyes and a swollen look.
Conditions like seasonal allergies, eczema, water confinement, and sleeping with facedown may intensify the syndrome, with heredity doing a role also.
Also, do not forget certain self-inflicted behaviors such as drugs, smoking, and even alcohol.
Luckily, by changing certain habits and taking a particular lifestyle and dietary steps, you can get rid of those bags under the eyes for good. Let’s dig a little deeper.
How to Get Rid of Bags Under Eyes — 13 Ways
Bags under the eyes are a joint development of age and a frequent complaint among patients who no longer feel as youthful as they once did.
To describe what happens a bit more, a healthy fat that helps support the eye sometimes moves into the lower eyelid, which causes the lid to appear puffy.
Additionally, fluid may accumulate in the area below your eyes, which adds to the swelling.
How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes?
There are numerous natural things you can do, from eliminating some bad habits to at-home remedies that can help reduce the appearance of bags under eyes.
1. Take Care of Your Allergies
You are probably well aware of when your allergies flame up, as allergy season and watery, puffy eyes are inevitable for many.
Try natural remedies, such as essential oils for allergies, to help manage them and catch them before they start.
Also, have a small vial of an essential allergy blend handy since some allergies can sneak up when you least expect it.
2. Take It Easy on the Salt
Salt is most often linked to high blood pressure, but did you know that all that sodium can cause fluid retention and lead to puffiness under the eyes?
If you use salt, use pure Himalayan sea salt, but only a little bit. Avoid high salty foods, like pizza and some soups. Opt for fresh vegetables, in particular celery, which can help curb your desire for salt!
3. Exercise Those Bags Away
Exercise is a natural way to reduce the signs of aging and can promote a youthful glow to the skin, but the area around your eyes will benefit from special facial exercises.
Licensed aesthetician and author of The Yoga Facelift, Marie-Veronique Nadeau explains that yoga for the face involves slow activities of the facial muscles to help tone and tighten them.
Using light pressure from your fingers, also include various facial expressions and pressure.
Let’s not forget “regular” yoga and how it can benefit you as well.
The inverted poses, such as shoulder stands and backbends, can help increase circulation to the face, which carries away excess fluid and helps relieve swelling.
4. What Is Your Sleep Position?
Sleeping on your back can prevent gravity from causing fluid buildup around the eyes.
Consider adding an extra pillow under your head as well, but make sure it is a pillow that is effective for good sleep — for if you can’t sleep, that can add to the problem of dark circles under the eyes.
5. Try using a Neti Pot
Did you hear about a neti pot? It’s an old remedy that you can do together with your everyday routine to help fight those puffy eyes.
Induced in India in Ayurvedic medicine, a neti pot is like a little teapot and also may be available at almost all health food stores or perhaps online.
It can help eliminate all that additional moisture into your sinuses from seasonal allergies, colds, or perhaps infections.
Pour salt water into a single nostril and allow it to drain out the other person. I usually do this over the bathroom sink. It feels strange at first, but it’s quite cleansing and refreshing.
6. Remove Your Makeup Before Going to Bed
Leaving your eye makeup on can irritate your eyes, causing them to water and get puffy.
Make sure to gently remove your eye makeup before hitting the hay to help eliminate any added irritation around the eyes.
7. Limit or Eliminate Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates your body and skin. This dehydration can cause the delicate area around your eyes to appear sunken and dark.
Also, alcohol can cause bloodshot, tired eyes. Take it easy on the alcohol by having no more than one glass per day.
I would suggest drinking lots of water instead. You will feel fresher, your eyes will be wide open, and the skin around your eyes will glow because it’s more hydrated.
8. Put Down Those Cigarettes for Good!
Did you know that smoking cigarettes dries out and weakens the skin on your face as well as your whole body? It also causes premature aging around the eyes in particular.
The chemicals found in cigarettes are toxic and can irritate the eyes, which could result in dark circles or undereye bags in addition to a wrinkled, droopy appearance.
If addiction has got you in its grips, you may want to try some natural approaches to How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes and quitting smoking.
9. Try a Cold Compress and Cucumbers
If your eyes are swollen and puffy, try a cold compress. Not only can this help reduce puffy eyes, but it can also be very relaxing, which adds to a youthful appearance.
You can achieve this by using chilled spoons on top of your eyes, slices of cucumbers, or even chilled, dampened tea bags with a drop of lavender essential oil added.
The cold temperature is what makes this home remedy effective.
10. Watch Out for That Sunshine
Overdoing it in the sun can make the skin around your eyes sag and wrinkle as well as cause dehydration of the skin.
A mineral-based or homemade sunscreen, a good pair of UV-protected sunglasses, and a hat can do wonders to help protect your face from those harmful rays,
ultimately keeping the skin around the eyes from wrinkling and darkening due to the effects of the sun.
11. Have Your Cover-Up Handy
While you can’t necessarily remove dark circles, you can often hide them by lightening the area with a concealer.
There are some mineral-based options available, but you can also make your right at home.
You can choose options that match your skin tone and then apply it by lightly patting it onto the skin around the eyes.
Please do not rub it into the skin as this may cause further irritation.
Also, do not use too much. You want a natural appearance to the surface. Too much can make dark circles, wrinkles, and crepey skin more prominent.
12. Use an All-Natural Eye Cream
Since aging typically causes dehydration of the skin due to lack of collagen, moisturizing is essential.
There are lots of creams available, but I recommend a homemade eye cream. You can try this at night, in the morning or both.
You can also try my baggy eye solution in the evening right before bed.
Containing rosehip oil, lavender, and lemon essential oils, and aloe vera, it will help lower inflammation and regenerate your skin.
13. Get More Collagen into Your Diet
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies.
It’s found in our muscles, bones, skin, and tendons. It gives our skin strength and elasticity and helps replace dead skin cells.
Our body’s collagen production naturally begins to slow down as we age. You can thank this process for undereye bags.
Increasing collagen levels can help your skin look firmer, improve smoothness, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing regularly.
Try a chicken bone broth or collagen supplements, like collagen protein powder, to increase your collagen intake.
Symptoms & Causes of Bags Under the Eyes
Bags under eyes can include mild swelling, saggy or loose skin, and dark circles.
While you may not like the way these bags look, they are usually harmless and do not require medical attention;
however, if you experience severe and persistent bags accompanied by redness, itching, or pain, you may want to see your doctor.
Also, if you notice redness, itching, or pain on other parts of your body, such as your legs, you could be having an allergic reaction and need medical attention.
Your doctor will want to rule out other possible causes that can contribute to the swelling, such as thyroid disease or an infection.
As you age, the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken with the loss of collagen.
This weakening of the tissue can cause the skin to begin sagging.
The fat that is usually found in the area around the eyes may move into the field below your eyes, accumulating fluid and making the under-eye area appear puffy or swollen.
Some things that can make this happen are fluid retention due to changes in weather, hormone levels, eating salty foods, not getting enough sleep, allergies, dermatitis — especially if puffiness is accompanied by redness and itching — and heredity.
Epidermal Growth Factor … Huh?
The Journal of The Society of Translational Oncology explains how cell multiplication is essential during all aspects of life to restrict growth to the few places where it is needed,
such as wounds, bruising, or any inflammation that needs to be healed. This can include bags under the eyes.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is part of a complex network of growth factors and receptors that together help to modulate the growth of cells.
EGF is released by cells and then is picked up either by the cell itself, stimulating its growth or by neighboring cells, boosting their ability to divide. In most cases, EGF is very beneficial.
Another study on How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes shared information regarding the use of a topical serum containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its ability to minimize the appearance of under-eye bags.
Sixteen subjects were tested, and all but two questions reported improvement at their final visit. Growth was quantified as 76–100 percent by two items, 50–75 percent by three subjects and 25–49 percent by nine questions.
Eleven subjects claimed that the bags under their eyes were milder at the end of the trial compared to the first visit. Seven subjects reported greater satisfaction with their overall facial appearance.
Ultimately, the study concluded that the results offer evidence that topical EGF can reduce the appearance of under-eye bags.
It can also help eliminate fine lines. EGF can be found in some over-the-counter products such as EGF serum. Your dermatologist might recommend it as a conventional treatment.
The Risks of Natural vs. Unnatural Ways to ‘Cure’ Baggy Eyelids
The skin around the eyes is very delicate. Make sure to take special care when applying anything around or near your eyes.
Most natural methods, as described above, shouldn’t cause any problems. But if the puffiness worsens or you notice any irritation, see your doctor.
Depending on the cause of your baggy eyelids, “unnatural” or conventional treatment methods might include over-the-counter or prescription creams or procedures such as Botox injections.
Allergic reactions might occur, so contact your doctor if you experience any further discoloration or irritation.
A plastic surgery procedure known as blepharoplasty is another popular treatment option that might be suggested by your dermatologist if other methods don’t seem to help.
But keep in mind that any surgery can be risky, and your health insurance might not cover cosmetic surgery.
Discuss the risks and benefits and any concerns you might have with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
Final Thoughts How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes
- There are many causes, but generally, skin tissues around the eyes and eyelids weaken and sag, causing fluid to accumulate beneath the eyes, which creates puffiness under the eyes and a swollen appearance.
- Seasonal allergies, eczema, water retention, and sleeping facedown can aggravate the condition, with heredity playing a role as well.
- Smoking, drugs, and alcohol can also age skin faster.
- There are numerous natural things you can do, from eliminating some bad habits to at-home remedies that can help reduce the appearance of bags under the eyes.
- Conventional treatment options recommended by a dermatologist might include creams, Botox injections, and cosmetic surgery.
