While under-eye bags and dark circles may not be a serious health problem, they can affect a person’s confidence and how they perceive themselves. However, there are treatments available to help get rid of under-eye bags or reduce the appearance of puffy eyes.
Causes of Dark Under-Eye Circles
Although not all treatments for dark circles are necessarily permanent, finding a consistent routine that works for you can help to minimize their appearance.
Common causes for under-eye bags are allergies, eczema and dermatitis around the eyes, excessive scratching or rubbing of the eyes, sun exposure, aging, and fatigue.
Age and fatigue are the most common causes of puffy eyes. People naturally lose fat and collagen as they age, which can cause the blood vessels under their eyes to become more prominent.
The development of puffy eyelids or under eye hollows is also common with age, and sometimes these can cast shadows that appear to be dark circles under the eyes.
How to Get Rid of Under-Eye Bags
The best way to start any treatment plan is by talking with your doctor. Sometimes the cause of puffy eyes can be easily treated. This might include:
- Sleep is crucial to having a healthy complexion, so aim to get at least eight hours of rest every night.
- You can diminish the look of under-eye darkness by applying moisturizers and serums with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, caffeine, aloe, and vitamin E.
- A cold compress can help if you have dilated blood vessels, as it constricts the blood vessels. This may reduce darkness under your eyes that is caused by dilated blood vessels.
Some of the medical procedures your dermatologist can help you with are:
- A chemical peel is a skincare treatment that removes the outermost layers of skin to reveal brighter and healthier skin underneath.
- Laser therapy is a treatment that uses heat energy to target damaged cells. Laser therapy can lighten dark areas and stimulate the production of collagen.
- Fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm, can help return lost volume in areas that have become thinner over time. These fillers work by using hyaluronic acid to plump the area.
- If you have puffy eyes, a surgeon can remove or reposition the fat in your lower eyelid. This reduces puffiness and also eliminates the shadow beneath your eyelid.