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Do you find yourself looking in the mirror and frowning upon those bags under your eyes? As we get older, we see more and more changes that our body undergoes, and there’s nothing we can do for some of them. Luckily, under-eye bags are not one of those things. You can reduce the unwanted puffiness around your eyes in several ways for temporary and long-lasting results.
What Causes Bags Under Eyes?
Puffy eyes are usually a normal aging process and don’t pose any real threat to your wellbeing. Most people consider them a cosmetic concern. With age, the muscles and tissues around our eyes weaken and start to sag. Typically, a thick membrane holds back the fat in our upper and lower eyelids. As we age, this membrane thins and the fat comes forward, making our eyes look puffy and swollen. The area beneath our eyes can retain fluid for several reasons and become swollen or change color. Swollen eyes can make you look tired and affect your appearance and mood. Luckily, there are ways you can change that.
Here are the most common factors that might be causing bags under your eyes:
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Allergies
- Aging process
- Chronic fatigue
- Medical Conditions
- Genetics
What You Can Do
Because there are a variety of causes for puffy eyes, the first step is finding out what’s causing yours. You may want to ask your doctor to check for any medical conditions. Even though bags under the eyes are usually not a threat to your health, they can be a symptom of some thyroid issues. Make sure to rule out any medical conditions first.
If you are experiencing recurring puffiness around your eyes, you might want to consider implementing some lifestyle changes, which are discussed below. There are also some short-term solutions you can apply.
How to Eliminate Bags Under Eyes
We all want to look fresh, rested, and have a glow, so let’s see what gets rid of bags under your eyes. There’s a myriad of products on the market claiming to de-puff the target area. However, not all of them work.
Luckily, some remedies are easy to make and use at home to lessen the swollen appearance of your eyes.
- Applying Caffeinated Tea Bags
There’s still a debate on whether caffeine is good for you or not, but one thing is sure – it works wonders for those puffy eyes. If you enjoy black tea, don’t be quick to throw the bags away. You can chill the bags in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, squeeze out the extra liquid, and apply them to your under-eye area. Leave the bags on anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes.
Caffeine will increase the blood flow in your skin, thanks to its powerful antioxidants. It can potentially slow the aging process and will also protect you against dangerous UV rays.
- Using cold compresses
One of the reasons tea bags work is that they are previously chilled. You can skip the tea party and simply apply anything cold from your kitchen.
- Frozen teaspoon
- Chilled bag of veggies
- Cool cucumber
- Wet cloth
If you’re using an object, like a spoon, make sure you wrap in something so your skin doesn’t get frostbite. Cold compresses take only a few minutes before they show results. You can apply them every two hours, and for best results, sit upright during the process. By constricting the blood vessels and slowing down blood flow, the swelling lessens and dissipates. The swelling spreads out where the lymphatic system can process it more effectively.
- Cut Down on Salt
Cellular sodium balance is a delicate matter. In response to consuming too much sodium, our bodies retain water. It can happen in all areas of the body, and the area under the eyes is no exception. Our bodies hold the excess water to prevent dehydration. If you start noticing bags under your eyes that might not have been there before, pay attention to your diet. It might be that your sodium intake is high and that you need to reduce it. Try seasoning your food with table salt less, and eat less of high-sodium foods, which include: processed food, frozen meals, canned goods, olives, and pickles. A healthier option would be celery salt, which you can even make at home, with a bit of effort.
- Drink more water
Fluid retention happens when you have too much salt and not enough water. Cutting down on salt will be of enormous benefit, but it’s also essential that you make water intake a priority. The Mayo Clinic recommends having about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids for women. If you don’t like gulping on the water all day long, opt for hydrating food. There’s a variety of fruit and vegetables you can eat that will hydrate your body on a cellular level. These include cucumber, watermelon, celery, blueberries, pears, tomatoes, lettuce.
Medical Solutions
If you’re not up to implementing lifestyle changes and you’re tired of looking tired, there are non-invasive medical solutions.
- A chemical peel removes the superficial top layer of your under-eye skin by dissolving old skin, leaving your skin tighter and brighter. Because all skin varies, so do the results, but they can last a few years.
- Fillers can also do the trick by making the transition between under-eye and cheek more smooth. Hyaluronic acid is injected into the skin at a doctor’s office, and the results can last up to 12 months.
- Laser resurfacing treatment is most commonly used on the skin of the face, where it gives the best result. The procedure removes skin layers one by one, using beams of light. It also stimulates collagen production, giving skin its natural elasticity.
- Blepharoplasty is a medical term for eyelid surgery or lift. Any excess fat, skin, and muscle are surgically removed from the lower eyelid, which redefines the shape of the eye. The procedure creates a fresh, youthful look and gets rid of those puffy bags under your eyes.
- Laser skin resurfacing uses beams of light to remove skin layers one at a time.
Get More Sleep
The one thing that can help reduce your under-eye bags to a large degree is getting more sleep! A new study shows that more than a third of adults in America don’t sleep enough. Getting a good night’s sleep of 7 hours every night is the foundation of a healthy life. With busy schedules, many people might think sleep is a luxury, but that can’t be further from the truth. Good quality sleep gives your body time to repair. Lack of sleep can be the reason for your under-eye bags, as it allows for fluids to build in the area.
Sticking to a routine can help you get a good night’s sleep. Try going to bed at the same time every night. Get up at the same time, not just on workdays, but on weekends too. Turn off all blue lights at least 2 hours before bedtime. If possible, keep your bedroom cool and dark, and for sleep only. Don’t bring your job any kind of stress to the area where you sleep. Don’t overeat before bed, especially not on salty food. Don’t eat or drink at least 3 hours before bed, as this will hinder your body’s chance to recover.
If you sleep well, you will undoubtedly look well!