If you have undereye bags, you may be self-conscious about having a tired facial appearance, which may affect your overall self-confidence. Bags under the eyes appear as sagging skin that is sometimes darker in colour than the rest of the face. You can also experience bags on the upper lids, when your eyelids droop due to a loss in elasticity. There are a number of causes of bags under your eyes, including difficulty sleeping, sun exposure, and genetics, among other causes. We’ll review why you might have or have developed under eye bags below.
Having bags under your eyes is associated with fatigue and a lack of sleep, for good reason: under eye bags can actually be caused by sleep issues, including lack of sleep or insomnia, or poor quality sleep. It is possible to reduce the appearance of eye bags by trying to get at least six to eight hours of sleep per night, and also by improving the quality of your sleep: avoid eating too close to bedtime, keep any screens or digital devices out of the bedroom, and try to reduce noise, light and other distractions in the room where you sleep.
Allergies and sinus problems can cause irritation of the nasal passages and eyes, which can result in undereye bags. In addition, the itching and eye irritation that is sometimes caused by allergies can cause you to rub or scratch at the skin surrounding your eyes, which can also cause (or worsen) under eye bags.
In some cases, an underlying medical condition can cause bags under your eyes. For instance, thyroid problems can cause the eyes to become swollen.
Alcohol dehydrates the body, including the dermis (the skin). When you are dehydrated, your skin can become slack, causing under eye bags to form. Reducing your alcohol intake and ensuring you are properly hydrated can help to reduce the appearance of eye bags.
Normal aging is the most common cause of eye bags. As you age, the muscles and tissues supporting your eyelids become weaker, causing the skin to sag and form bags. These bags can occur both on your upper and lower lids, and the area below your eyes.
Sun exposure can cause dark undereye circles and eye bags by increasing the skin’s production of melanin.
In some cases, a genetic predisposition to dark undereye circles or undereye bags may cause bags under the eyes. While genetics might make it unavoidable that you develop eye bags, taking proper care of your skin can help lessen their appearance over time.
Lifestyle choices, such as avoiding alcohol and smoking and keeping out of the sun, and taking care of your skin can help prevent or lessen the appearance of under eye bags. However, in many cases, the best and most effective way to fix under eye bags once they occur is to opt for a surgical procedure.
Lower blepharoplasty, also known as lower lid surgery, addresses eye bags that occur under your eyes. For this type of procedure, an incision is made under the lower lashes, and excess skin, muscle, and fat are then removed. Your surgeon may also redistribute fat within the area to improve puffiness or bulges.
This type of surgery uses fat from elsewhere on the body to add volume and bounce to areas where elasticity and fullness have been lost.
In some cases, it is possible to reduce the appearance of under eye bags using non-surgical treatments. A number of these treatments are available at SpaMedica.
Chemical peels work by removing the outer layer of the skin and helping stimulate collagen production. Collagen can help restore elasticity and fullness to your eyes, and reduce the appearance of bags.
Laser treatments, like the fractional CO2 laser treatment available at SpaMedica, involve microscopic columns of energy being transmitted into the skin, which stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Laser treatment can help improve volume under the eyes, and reduce dark pigmentation.
Injectable dermal fillers, like those containing hyaluronic acid for instance, can help restore the volume that is lost under the eyes with age. This, in turn, can help eliminate under eye circles and restore a youthful appearance to the face.
Check out our before and after section here!
The cost to treat your eye bags will depend on the type of procedure you choose, as well as the severity of your eye bags. Surgical procedures, such as lower blepharoplasty, which begins at $6,999, are generally more costly than non-surgical procedures (laser treatment at SpaMedica begins at $4,999).
At SpaMedica, we offer both surgical and non-surgical approaches that will address your eye bags, to help restore your self-confidence and boost your overall self-esteem. Our team will work with you to determine your desired outcomes, and will help you determine which procedure or procedures best fit your needs. Contact the clinic to book a consultation today!
Blepharoplasty (also referred to as eyelid surgery) removes or tightens sagging skin around the eyes, resulting in a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Juvederm, one of the most popular dermal filler available, used to soften lines, wrinkles & add volume lost through the aging process.
A soft tissue dermal filler for facial contour augmentation, for lip enhancement, and improve the appearance of wrinkles.
A soft tissue filler used to create a more youthful appearance by replacing lost collagen to smooth out facial wrinkles and folds.
A dermal filler injectable that adds volume and proportion in the face or hands.
The fractional CO2 laser treats superficial and deep skin layers to rejuvenate, tighten and brighten the skin.
