Bags Under Eyes | What Causes These and How Can I Treat It?

How to Avoid the Annoying Under-Eye Bags

Eye bag puffiness is a common issue among many people. Bags under the eyes usually don’t indicate signs of a serious health condition but might be a cosmetic concern. Let's take a look at how you can prevent and remove them.

What Can I Do to Remove Eye Bags?

To remove eye bags, here are some things you can do.

Take Collagen Supplements

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NeoCell: NeoCell's supplement contains a variety of natural ingredients that work together to improve the health and appearance of the skin around the eyes.
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Causes of Bags Under Eyes

There are numerous causes of under-eye bags:

Lack of Sleep

One of the worst culprits for under-eye bags is lack of sleep. On average, an adult needs 7-9 hours of (good) sleep every night to function. Lack of sleep can cause a whole host of health issues and can affect your appearance, including under-eye bags and dark circles. To prevent this, get plenty of good sleep every night and practice excellent sleep hygiene (e.g., avoid eating a heavy meal before bed and turn off devices at least one hour before bed).

Stress

Too much stress can have a detrimental effect on the mind and body and trigger bags under the eyes. Stress can also cause a lack of sleep, which also causes bags under the eyes. To reduce the amount of stress in your life, find ways to relax, figure out what’s causing your stress and try to find solutions to that issue, and opt for a slower way of living.

Aging

Aging is a natural part of life, and as we age, our body changes. There’s nothing you can do about getting older (and don’t forget: aging and getting older is a privilege).

You can slow down the effects of aging on your skin by consuming a healthy diet, staying hydrated every day, using SPF daily, regardless of your skin tone and local climate, getting plenty of sleep (see point above), not smoking (more on that later), and using or consuming skin boosting products such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E and retinol.

Fluid Retention

Fluid retention occurs when excess fluid builds up in your body; this can cause swelling.

Fluid retention is triggered by many factors, such as hormonal changes, lack of physical activity, malnutrition, allergies, infections, medication, and certain illnesses. Water retention can cause swelling, which can build up in different parts of the body, including under the eyes.

To prevent fluid retention, it’s important to eat less salt, increase your magnesium intake, consume more vitamin B6, eat more potassium-rich foods, limit your carb intake, drink more water, and do more physical exercise.

Allergies

If you have allergies, this can trigger eye puffiness, which isn’t very pleasant. For example, if you suffer from hay fever, this might cause the skin under your eyes to swell up. If you take anti-allergy medication, this can prevent unwanted effects.

Smoking

Let’s be honest: we all know how harmful smoking can be to a person’s health.

Smoking ages the skin and causes under-eye bags. And with the numerous detrimental effects on health, the best thing to do is to stop smoking if you do, don’t take up smoking if you’re a non-smoker, and avoid second-hand smoke.

Genetics

Under-eye bags can sometimes run in families, but you can still reduce the appearance of these.

Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions, such as thyroid eye disease, can cause eye puffiness.

What Can I Do to Prevent Under-Eye Bags?

To prevent under-eye bags, you should:

Take antihistamines if you have allergies.
Drink plenty of water.
Get plenty of sleep.
Consume a nutritious diet, multivitamins, and supplements.
Keep yourself physically fit by exercising regularly.
Reduce stress and relax.
Use skin-boosting skincare ingredients as part of your skincare routines, such as collagen, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, retinol, vitamin C, and glycerin.
Use SPF.
Cut down on (and cut out) salty foods.
Cut down on alcohol consumption.
Remove makeup before going to bed.
Stop smoking.

Skincare Brands to Help With Under Eye Bags

Plexaderm: Plexaderm works to reduce under eye bags, dark circles and wrinkles, as well as tighten crow's feet and smooth the skin under and around your eyes. The Plexaderm Rapid Reduction Serum is formulated to give fast (temporary) results, making it a popular product.
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Neal's Yard: Neal's Yard Remedies offers a luxurious collection of beauty products crafted with natural and organic ingredients, allowing you to indulge in a holistic skincare experience that nourishes and revitalizes your skin while promoting overall well-being.
Dr. Barbara Sturm: Dr. Barbara Sturm's innovative beauty products combine cutting-edge science with high-quality ingredients to deliver effective and luxurious skincare solutions that promote a healthy, youthful complexion and address various skin concerns.
Vintner's Daughter: Vintner's Daughter offers a line of exquisite beauty products that harness the power of meticulously sourced botanicals, resulting in transformative skincare formulations that promote radiance, balance and an overall sense of well-being for your skin.
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Proactiv: Proactiv beauty products are renowned for their effective and clinically proven formulas that specifically target acne-prone skin, helping to clear breakouts, reduce inflammation and restore a smoother and more radiant complexion.
Maelys: Maelys beauty products offer innovative and results-driven formulations that cater to specific body and skincare needs, providing effective solutions to enhance your natural beauty and boost your self-confidence.

Apply Tea Bags

To do this, put two tea bags in water for 3 to 5 minutes, chill the tea bags in the fridge for 20 minutes, squeeze out excess liquid, then apply the tea bags under the eyes and leave them on the skin for 15 to 30 minutes.

Use a Cold Compress

You can apply a cold compress (e.g., a chilled teaspoon or slices of cool cucumber) under the eyes.

Address Medical Issues

Some medical issues can cause under-eye bags, so it’s best to address these and find solutions. Some doctors might prescribe prescription creams to help deal with eye puffiness.

Specific Procedures

Some cosmetic treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or injectable fillers, can treat puffiness under the eyes. However, to achieve the best results, the treatments would need to be repeated regularly. Also, it’s best to do your research before opting for these procedures because there may be risks involved, and it’s best to see a qualified and certified medical professional that can carry out these procedures.

What Causes Bags Under Eyes?