Have you got genetic eye bags and dark circles that give you a tired and sleepy appearance? It probably won't make much of a difference to say you are not alone. However, the truth is that a lot of people are suffering from this condition.
The good news is that there are various treatments that can help reduce puffiness. In the case of genetic eye bags, at-home treatments won't be effective; that's why you need to ask the specialists about your aesthetic options. Here are some of the tried-and-tested procedures for the condition.
Eye bags can be pretty disturbing at any age. But you don't have to put up with that. Here are several methods of addressing the cosmetic problem.
Scarless eye bag removal surgery is a procedure that doesn't leave an external scar in the lower eyelid because the incision is made in the conjunctiva (which is on the inside of the lower eyelid). This allows plastic surgeons to correct deformities and remove under-eye bags in a precise manner.
The medical treatment removes extra fat pockets and can treat excessive skin. In addition to bags in the under-eye area, it can also address fine lines and wrinkles. Korean scarless eye bag removal is an outpatient procedure which means there is no overnight stay at the clinic.
The initial recovery is 10-14 days, and you can go back to your everyday activities right afterwards.
Apart from the scarless technique, there is also the traditional lower blepharoplasty. It leaves a minimal scar where the incision is made, which is almost impossible to notice. The treatment addresses sagging skin and extra fat pads more successfully than other techniques.
If your under-eye bags are caused by excess fat deposits in the under-eye area, and you have no health conditions, you may be a good candidate for the procedure.
Eye bag surgery is carried out by a cosmetic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon. Once you have it, your puffiness will probably be resolved for life. It's rare for people to need additional under-eye surgeries over time.
Dermal fillers are injectables that are inserted into the skin to make it plumper and better looking. The best product for the under-eye area is based on hyaluronic acid because the latter is naturally existent in the skin.
Since some eye bags form as a result of hollowness below the eyes (tear troughs), these injectables can fill the empty spaces and even out the look. However, it is important that you choose an experienced professional for this procedure because fillers can be tricky.
You need to use just enough product - not too much nor too little - and it should not be inserted too close to the surface of the skin.
Not to mention, dermal fillers come with different thicknesses, depending on whether you you're looking to build volume and add more definition, or you're simply camouflaging sunken areas.
Another thing to take into account is that a topical anaesthetic cream may be offered to the patient to numb the area before application. The great thing about dermal fillers is that they can also treat some fine lines and wrinkles caused by ageing. In most cases, one course of filler is just enough to achieve good outcomes.
All in all, when it comes to this and every other cosmetic treatment, you should choose a qualified medical professional over an unlicenced beauty guru from a local beauty centre.
Chemical peels are often used as the first line of treatment in the doctor's office (after homemade remedies fail to provide the desired results). When the right agents and concentrations are employed, they are really effective in reducing under-eye puffiness and dark under-eye circles.
There are light, medium depth, and deep peels. Medical professionals are trained and experienced in combining different strengths of acids. They know exactly how much to apply and how long they should keep the product on. This is why it is recommended you choose a certified doctor for this one.
Eye creams containing retinol exfoliate the skin and increase skin cell production as well as collagen production. This can improve the appearance of under-eye bags and dark circles. Retinol creams also reduce fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a more youthful look.
Another cream worth investigating comes with vitamin C. It's important to note that whatever you choose, you should max out your sunscreen application because these products can make you more sensitive to sun exposure.
You can pick topical creams on your own, or you can consult a dermatologist about it. Stronger concentrations are not usually available over-the-counter.
Not to mention, a medical professional will give you guidelines on the frequency of application and the amount of product it's best to use for your skin.
To be clear, everybody has had bags under the eyes at one point or another. There are several reasons for them, including:
You can read our post on what causes eye bags for more information.
There are many different approaches to apply. For one, you should always use sunscreen whenever you are out and about, even on rainy days. Sun exposure is one of the biggest factors contributing to skin ageing and bags under the eyes. Besides, having a healthy skin care regimen can go a long way.
The second step you should take is to ensure you get enough sleep. As you know, lack of sleep has a huge impact on your face.
Further to this, you can try applying a cold compress over your eyes. Green tea bags work as well. Green tea is loaded with powerful antioxidants that increase blood flow to the area, reducing inflammation and slowing down the ageing process.
Another great option is caffeine. It is known to constrict the blood vessels responsible for the dark circles and puffiness. Apply caffeine masks to your under-eye area for several minutes and see if it does anything for you.
Also, you should make it a point to avoid salty foods, as salt leads to water retention, giving you puffy eyelids. On that note, it won't hurt to try sleeping with an elevated head to see if this improves the condition.
Last but not least, there are some eye creams that are touted to reduce swelling and minimise the appearance of bags under the eyes. You can select a cream according to your skin type. You can start with a light chemical peel with AHA acids or a cream containing vitamin C.
There are a slew of over-the-counter products but if you are interested in a more powerful formula, talk to a dermatologist or aesthetic doctor who can recommend one suited for you specifically.
If a few lifestyle changes don't help you get rid of the bags under your eyes, you can always hide any imperfections with makeup. Read our tips on how to remove eye bags permanently at home.
And if that doesn't do the trick, your best bet is to consult an aesthetic surgeon. The cosmetic industry offers a plethora of methods that can treat puffiness and dark circles, among other cosmetic concerns.
Some people are just predisposed to having eye bags and under-eye circles. The reason for this is still unknown, but if one or both of your parents experienced under-eye bags from an early age, your chances of having eye bags are quite high.
Yes, you can. There is a special eye bag surgery that can reposition the tissues in the undereye area and remove excess fat pockets as needed.
Keep in mind that at-home treatments are not going to be very useful here since they can temporarily shrink lower lids when there is water retention going on in that region. However, they don't have any long-lasting effects, nor do they change your genetics.
It is considered that genetic eye bags happen due to the lack of support of muscles and other tissues that are positioned in front of the fat pockets. As a result of that, the fat bulges out, creating the appearance of bags under the eyes.
Yes. Heredity can play a role in bags under the eyes and dark circles.
Genetics are just one of the causes of under-eye bags and skin health issues. Other causes include water retention in the body, skin ageing, sagging of the skin and tissue supporting your eyelids, allergies and other health issues, sleep issues, etc.
Dermal fillers don't usually have a recovery period. You can go back to your daily activities right away as long as you are not bothered by some swelling in the treatment area. Your under-eye circles and puffiness will gradually begin to look better as the days go by.
Dr. Shenthilkumar Naidu (Dr. Shens) is a Ministry of Health accredited Consultatn Plastic Surgeon with extensive expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He is renowned for his advanced techniques in body contouring and aesthetic enhancements. For more information, visit Shens Clinic.
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