Over under-eye bags? You’re not alone. Dark circles and sagging skin below the eyes are a common cosmetic concern, causing the appearance of premature aging for men and women alike. While these bags can seemingly appear overnight, they take years to manifest. Luckily, once you know the contributing factors, finding the right treatment can be simple.
What Causes Undereye Bags?
Like many other signs of aging, there’s more than one culprit behind under-eye bags. Age, fatigue, eye strain, sun damage, and genetics all contribute to the development of this unwanted condition.
Age
There’s a reason why under-eye bags are commonly tied to getting older. Diminishing collagen production, combined with years of skin damage, can reduce facial volume and cause the skin to become loose and sag. The natural aging process also affects the facial muscles and “scaffolding” surrounding our eyes, allowing fat pads below the eyes to migrate south— ultimately creating the appearance of puffy, sagging bags beneath the eyes.
Sleep Deprivation
Missing out on beauty rest has a greater impact than you may realize. Besides leaving you feeling fatigued and sluggish the next day, not getting enough sleep causes fluid to build up beneath your eyes, creating the appearance of puffy bags.
Diet
Have you ever eaten too many salty foods and felt bloated? There’s a reason for that. High sodium diets cause our bodies to retain more water, leading to a puffier appearance across the body. As the skin below the eye tends to be thinner and more delicate, this fluid retention in the form of puffy lower lids or sagging undereye bags is especially noticeable.
Genetics
At the end of the day, genetics plays a fundamental role in whether you’ll develop under-eye bags and how severe they will be. Your family medical history can also provide insight into whether you may be predisposed to specific conditions that increase the likelihood of sagging under-eye tissue.
How to Treat Undereye Bags
Despite these culprits, innovative facial cosmetic treatments give patients plenty of options for treating these tell-tale signs of aging.
Blepharoplasty
In some cases, severe skin laxity requires a more advanced solution. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is an excellent option that tightens sagging skin and muscle tissue along the lower lid. While more invasive than other options, this treatment offers a permanent solution for achieving a more youthful appearance.
Dermal Fillers
For patients considering non-invasive treatments, dermal fillers are a fantastic option. These injectables allow men and women to make discreet changes below the eyes and restore lost volume, helping shave years off their appearance. Beyond providing near-instant results, certain filler formulas are made specifically to treat volume loss below and around the eye. As the results are temporary, dermal fillers also give patients the chance to try out treatment before committing to a more permanent cosmetic solution.
Chemical Peel
Best recommended for individuals experiencing hyperpigmentation and skin laxity, chemical peels are a great option for rejuvenating the skin. They have also been shown to reduce dark circles. This non-surgical option stimulates collagen and elastin generation, restoring much-needed volume to this delicate part of the face while reducing the overall appearance of aging.
Get Started with Dr. Guy
Wherever you are in your cosmetic treatment journey, the team at Dr. Guy Facial Plastic Surgery is here to help. Dr. W. Marshall Guy, our double-board certified facial plastic surgeon, specializes in helping patients correct cosmetic issues such as sagging under-eye bags. Together, we’ll create the perfect solution that shaves years off your appearance and restores your self-confidence. To explore your treatment options, call 832-956-1040 and schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeon today!