Having under-eye bags or dark circles in your 20s or 30s can be really dreadful. Such cosmetic issues may dampen your image and how you show yourself to others. Having eye bags can be seen as not getting enough sleep, which can be interpreted as having poor lifestyle habits. It could also present you as being inattentive or uninterested, a bad impression that can ruin an interview for your dream job.
Under-eye bags naturally develop with age, but having them early in life can be upsetting, especially when they keep coming back no matter how much eye cream you apply.
Fortunately, there are some tried and tested ways to get rid of bags under the eyes and prevent them from coming back. Undoubtedly, one of the most important things you should do is to make some changes to your lifestyle. Home remedies may also be quite helpful when you need to quickly relieve your puffy lids. However, if you are looking for a more long-lasting solution, then eye bag removal surgery might be your best bet.
Here, we will cover the various methods for getting rid of eye bags and preventing them from returning in the future.
Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is essential, not only for your overall health but also for the appearance of your skin. It will help you look younger and reduce under-eye puffiness.
Getting enough sleep gives the skin time to repair and heal itself, reversing the damage caused by free radicals we get throughout the day. Sleep also increases our skin cells' natural ability to repair damage to give us a better complexion.
Our body uses sleep to repair itself and prepare us for another day. When it comes to our eyes, sleep allows our body to flush out excess fluids, preventing fluid buildup in our body, specifically under the eyes. When we lack sleep, these excess fluids settle in the tissues under our eyes instead of being flushed out of our system, causing puffiness and dark circles.
It is highly recommended that adults get 8 to 9 hours of sleep every day, so the body can regenerate itself and prevent skin issues. Set a suitable bedtime for yourself and stick to it regularly, this will help you get a good eight-hour sleep and prevent eye bags from coming back.
Radiation from the high afternoon sun is also known to cause under-eye bags and dark circles. Long sun exposure can be damaging to your face, especially to the delicate skin under your eyes. It can cause your skin to weaken and sag, leading to the formation of eyebags and droopy eyes.
But UV rays are not the only source of radiation that we need to be wary of. Our phones, laptops, and even television have an amount of radiation that can directly harm our skin when exposed too much. Avoid keeping your phone and laptop screen too close to your face.
It goes without saying that wearing sunscreen every day is a must. But in addition to that, make sure to wear sunglasses as well, whenever you are out in the afternoon sun, as they can reduce radiation exposure.
There is no doubt that your eating habits can significantly affect the appearance of your skin, including that surrounding your eyes. While fresh fruits and vegetables can help you improve the glow of your face, processed and salty foods can have a negative impact on the thin skin below your eyes.
To avoid getting puffy eyes, you need to make sure you eat a well-balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole foods, and iron-rich foods. Try to consume more foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K. Vitamin deficiencies are frequently the root cause of eye bags and dark circles. This is especially true with iron deficiency.
If you often experience puffy eyelids in the morning, then it is best to limit salt in your diet. Consuming too much sodium food can cause fluid retention in the body, which will ultimately show in the area under your eyes. When taken in moderation, potassium can help reduce eye bags, but an excess amount of potassium can do more harm than good to your eye bag problem.
Another key factor that many people overlook is water consumption. A healthy diet and enough water throughout the day can undoubtedly make your skin glow and improve your eye area.
It's not just sleeping late and eating unhealthy foods that can ruin your appearance. Smoking and drinking are bad habits that can cause irreversible damage to your skin. They can give you that dull and grey skin colour and an older-looking appearance. Cigarettes and alcohol can also be especially harmful to the tissue in the eye area.
Nicotine is known to interfere with blood flow. Poor circulation on the other hand contributes to dark circles and eye bags. Furthermore, smoking and drinking can disrupt your sleep, which can result in fluid retention and unpleasant under-eye puffiness.
If you really want to prevent under-eye circles and bags, then it is best to quit smoking. In addition, if you consume alcohol, make sure to do it only occasionally and in moderation.
If you spend all day in front of a computer or if you work under bright lights, it is normal for your eyes to get tired, dry and irritated. When you are fatigued your body is more likely to retain fluids which will result in under-eye puffiness. In such cases, applying a cold compress over your lower lids can really help you alleviate the area and reduce swelling.
The cool temperature has the ability to shrink blood vessels, reducing under-eye puffiness. You can use whatever you have in handy - ice cubes, chilled spoons, a damp washcloth, etc. Even simply washing your face thoroughly with cool water can help you reduce puffiness.
However, you need to understand that this method is just a temporary solution. If your eye bags appear again and again, then the cool compress will barely help you.
Daily green tea consumption has numerous health advantages. Aside from that, this tea also has amazing effects on the skin. You can use it to improve your skin tone as well as reduce dark circles and bags under your eyes.
Antioxidants in green tea can boost the regeneration of skin cells, improving skin elasticity and radiance. This tea also contains high levels of vitamin B2, which help maintain the firmness of the skin. Another great feature of the product is that it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which can alleviate skin irritations and reduce swelling.
The use of this home remedy is really simple. Just soak a few green tea bags in hot water for around 5 minutes. Then put them in your refrigerator. Use the chilled tea bags whenever necessary to soothe your under-eye area.
One of the most common symptoms of seasonal allergies is namely unpleasant swelling around the eyes. This happens because the sinuses are blocked, which dilates the blood vessels below the eyes and causes them to appear puffy.
In such cases, a nasal rinse cup or neti pot may help you deal with the problem. It is a simple and easy way to clean the nasal passages and get rid of the puffiness in the eye area.
In order to use a neti pot, you first need to prepare a saltwater solution. For this purpose, you will need 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and a cup of warm water. Mix them well and then fill the device with the solution. After that, lean over the sink with your left side tilted down. Then, insert the nasal rinse gently into your right nostril and tilt the pot to allow the solution to flow. In the meanwhile, make sure to breathe via your mouth. Repeat the same procedure with your head tilted on the other side.
Eye creams might not be able to diminish already developed eye bags. However, they can serve as a great preventive measure. Most adults make the mistake of starting to use an eye cream after they notice the first signs of ageing.
Most eye products are designed to moisturize the delicate eyelid skin and keep it smoother and firmer. There are also many creams with a cooling effect that can help with puffiness. However, if you already have deep wrinkles and protruding lower lids, then such cosmetics may not do much.
It is usually best to incorporate eye creams into your skincare routine during your early 20s. Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and retinol are some of the ingredients that are especially beneficial for the delicate under-eye area.
Lower blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is the quickest way to get rid of bags under the eyes without having to worry about them coming back the next day or in a few years.
Having surgery may sound frightening, especially when you think about the scarring in the area near your eyes. However, there are treatments available, such as the Korean Style Scarless Eyebag Removal at Shens Clinic, that provide a safe and uncomplicated surgery that leaves no scars. It is done through a small incision within the lower lid to remove the excess fat and rejuvenate the area. It is an outpatient procedure and only takes around 20 mins to finish.
By having your eyebags surgically removed, you eliminate the risk of complications associated with non-surgical techniques such as laser or radiofrequency treatments. Moreover, you won't have to worry about eyebags for at least 8-10 years after this eyelid surgery. You may even prolong the effects of surgery by improving your lifestyle.
Laser resurfacing is a medical treatment that can be used for many skin issues, including correcting bags under the eyes. The good thing about this eye bag removal approach is that it provides satisfactory results without the need for incisions.
Laser therapy is highly effective for treating dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation. As a bonus, it minimizes wrinkles, allowing you to achieve smoother eye contours.
However, laser devices are usually able to treat mild to moderate under-eye bags. They may not completely eliminate severe under-eye bags. Also, you may need to get this procedure every few months so that you maintain your results.
Chemical peels are an excellent approach to keeping your skin appearing young and healthy. The procedure can help you lessen brown spots, under-eye circles and fine lines. Chemical peeling enables regeneration and the growth of new healthy skin cells by removing the top layer of the skin.
However, this procedure alone might not be able to address extreme under-eye bags. The chemical peel can be a great preventative measure. But in case you suffer from more prominent bags under your eyes, then it is better to consider other treatment options, such as eyelid surgery.
Have you heard about fat grafting? This is a procedure which involves moving fat from one part of the body to another. Nowadays, it is quite popular for women to use this method for enlarging their breasts.
However, you can also add fat to other body areas, including under the eyes. The procedure is quick, safe, and minimally invasive. And the best part is that it offers long-lasting results, unlike dermal fillers.
The fat transfer will be suitable for you in case your problem is related to tear trough volume loss, which creates a hollow in the under-eye area. It is not intended to eliminate excess fat or protrusion of the fat pad under the eyes.
Dealing with eye bags can be difficult, especially when they return in varying degrees every now and then. To prevent dark circles and under-eye bags, it is important to follow a healthy diet and proper sleep and rest schedule. You should try to avoid excessive sun exposure and staring at a computer screen too long. Also, don't forget the importance of proper hydration. Some home remedies may also be quite useful when dealing with morning puffiness.
If you have persistent bags under your eyes which come back again and again, then do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with Shens Clinic.
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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