How to Permanently Get Rid of Under-Eye Bags

Author:

I like to look my best. Fashion and self-care are two things I prioritize, and I like to share my tips with others.

How to get rid of puffy eyes.
Jan Krnc pexels

How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes Fast

I've dealt with under eye bags since my late teens. It wouldn't matter if I got a good night's sleep, I'd still wake up with puffy, tired looking eyes. Here are my tips on how to get rid of under-eye bags permanently. They can be caused by various things and are sometimes health-related, age-related, or have to do with genetics.

Common Causes of Under-Eye Bags

Allergies
Unhealthy habits (lack of sleep)
Genetics
Aging
Lymphatics/water retention

1. Are Allergies Causing Your Eye Bags?

Allergies are a common culprit when it comes to dark circles as well as under-eye bags. Do you find that your eyes look baggy and puffy during certain times of the year and do you rub your eyes a lot as if they are itchy? You might actually be allergic to something in the environment. That could mean that your allergies are seasonal (pollen, grass) or that you have issues like a dust mite allergy in your household or a pet allergy. Maybe you want to purchase a HEPA filter for the household or get a dust-mite allergy bed cover. You can also just try to clean or vacuum more to improve the air quality in your home.

Sometimes taking allergy medication during a bout of allergies might help reduce the puffiness around your eyes, especially if you have a runny nose or feel congested. Many times people will choose something like non-drowsy over the counter medications, or they will go for an allergy shot from their doctor. You can also try things like cold compresses or caffeine-based creams for the eyes. Whatever route you go, be sure to check with your doctor first.

Getting sleep and hydrating are guaranteed to improve your skin.
Andrea Piacquadio

2. Improve Your Health With These Tips

Your baggy eyes could be related to your health and general lack of care and healthy lifestyle.

Cut alcohol: You will want to drink less alcohol (or no alcohol) and avoid drugs (all of the illegal substances are horrible for your appearance). Alcohol is horrible when it comes to hydration, that is, it dehydrates the body, so you may want to avoid it entirely.
Sleep: Sleep is the ultimate key to staying young looking. Sleep helps your body to restore after a day of play.
Decrease salt intake: Salt can cause water retention, especially if you are consuming an inappropriate amount.
Collagen-rich food: Collagen-rich food is great for healthy skin and a youthful appearance. There are options for vegans and vegetarians. You can include a collagen peptide supplement in your food.
Get your fruits and veggies: It's no secret that fruits and vegetables are important for your health. You should be eating plenty of healthy foods daily.
Quit smoking: Smoking is horrible for your body and decreases collagen in the skin.
Increase vitamin C: Vitamin C is great for collagen production, so eat vitamin-C rich foods alongside your collagen intake.
Avoid bad sugars: Avoid unnecessary sugar in your diet. It's not good for collagen production. Sugar causes cross-linking of collagen and can lead to stiffening of the skin.
Hydrate: Hydration is key for supple, youthful skin. Drink plenty of water each day.
Cold compress or caffeine cream: Cold compresses or caffeine creams can really help to reduce puffiness underneath the eyes. Black tea bag application is popular for this reason.

3. Bags Causes by Aging or Genetics

If you are eating healthy and are sleeping and have ruled out allergies, you may have bags under your eyes from aging or are genetically predisposed to them. If this is the case, you will need to consider other options. If you have woken up with bags under your eyes since you were younger (like in your teens), this is probably due to genetics. If you developed your bags as you aged, this is likely age-related. As you get older, you lose fat underneath your eyes which can cause that puffy eye effect.

No cream (no matter how expensive and special) will be able to fix the loss of fat underneath your eyes. Spending money on these magical products will certainly be a waste of money. Although you will want to invest in a good sunscreen to protect your eyes from further aging due to sun damage. Below are some ways you can treat your puffy eyes cosmetically.

Some costemic procedures offer permanent solutions.
Gustavo Fring pexels

Fillers for Puffy Eyes

Fillers cost about $1,000 and last for a year. You are basically replacing the lost fat underneath your eyes. Fillers give instant results and there is very little recovery for this type of procedure. If you are going to get fillers, make sure you find a good plastic surgeon. They should have plenty of examples of under-eye filler procedures and results. If they don't, find someone else.

Think about it, you will save money by going this route versus constantly spending on creams and products that don't work. The good news is that if you don't like the results from the fillers, they will eventually dissolve. Some dermal fillers last 6 to 12 months or even 2 to 5 years according to Healthline. You can also have the filler dissolved manually. You don't want to be cheap about having any kind of cosmetic work done. You will save money down the line by requiring less makeup and coverups that you are used to using. A good website for finding a reputable plastic surgeon is Realself.com.

Blepharoplasty

A blepharoplasty (also called an eye lift) is another good option for puffy eyes. This procedure is permanent and costs around $4700 dollars. It's expensive, but it will save you money in time and you will likely be happy with the results. This is a procedure that you really want to be careful on because it's permanent. You need to find someone who is really good at it. If you are not pleased with the results, you can offset some of the work with fillers.

If you go with someone who is good and has done numerous accounts of these, the result should be good. Make sure you review examples of their work. If they don't have examples of their work, find someone else. Maybe even go with a friend referral. You will save money after this procedure by not having to wear as much makeup or invest in as many beauty produces. You can also refer to the website mentioned above for finding a decent plastic surgeon.

Lymphatic Massage

Sometimes fluid can accumulate in the face because of sinus congestion, food allergy, hormone-related water retention, and similar. Lymphatic drainage is great for reducing puffiness and is a gentle form of massage. The lymphatic fluid in the body is responsible for removing waste and toxins in the tissue and some health conditions can cause a buildup of fluid.

Does massaging under your eyes help?

I use lymphatic massage under my eyes for days when my eyes are puffy. Regular eye massage does promote good blood flow and circulation and helps with drainage. This is especially helpful for the capillaries under the eyes if you sit and stare at a screen all day. It's especially good for clearing out the sinuses.

Other natural ways to remove eye bags include:

wearing a good sunscreen
using a cold compress
caffeine creams or tea bag application (black tea)
retinol cream
antihistamines
hydration
Neti pot (clearing out the sinuses)
cold water plunge (if you have access to a body of water)

Share your favorite secrets for youthful looking skin in the comments.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.