WHAT IS AN UNDER-EYE BAG?

Under-eye bags are easily recognized by the presence of swelling in the lower eyelids. There are two types of bags:

• pockets caused by swelling due to lymphatic edema (malar pockets)
• Pockets caused by fat accumulation. Surgical treatment is the only effective and definitive option for getting rid of them.

WHAT CAUSES BAGS UNDER THE EYES?

For some people, puffiness may appear in the morning when they wake up, due to the accumulation of lymph in the lower eyelid. This type of swelling generally subsides in the first few hours of the day.

The constant presence of bags under the eyes can be the result of skin aging. With age and loss of tissue elasticity, the eyes appear less defined, the skin sags and loses its firmness, creating bags.

When external factors such as an allergy, sting or injury are the cause of under-eye puffiness, they are transient.

While bags under the eyes tend to become progressively more pronounced with age, they can also be caused by poor lifestyle habits, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and sleep problems.

REMEDIES FOR UNDER-EYE PUFFINESS

There are several techniques for eliminating bags under the eyes, but not all of them are equally effective, depending on your indications!

1. Reduce under-eye puffiness with grandma’s remedies and home-made techniques:

To reduce puffiness under the eyes caused by lack of sleep:

• Tea or herbal tea bags, infused and cooled, can be applied to the eyelids as a mask.
• Use ice compresses for 10 minutes every morning on the eyelids to reduce swelling. Cold also helps to tone and firm the skin by tightening the tissues. If you don’t have compresses. Upside-down spoons, left in the freezer for at least 30 min, can do the trick!
• Fresh cucumber slices, applied as a mask to the eyelids, relax the features, refresh the eyes and reduce under-eye puffiness.

2. Make-up to camouflage under-eye bags

Eye contour make-up is generally used to “correct” a tired look by diminishing the dark coloring of dark circles, or to camouflage imperfections in the eyes. An anti-dark circle can brighten up the look, but it can’t change volumes. The hollow of the dark circles won’t be camouflaged, and neither will the relief of the under-eye bags!

3. Anti-swelling creams to reduce under-eye puffiness

These creams and certain skin-care masks facilitate blood circulation and reactivate lymph circulation. Circular massages and simple gestures, such as the figure-8 massage, can enhance the effect of the creams.

4. Lymphatic drainage of the eyelids

Performed by a specialist, preferably a cosmetic doctor or a cosmetic nurse in a doctor’s office, lymphatic massage improves lymph circulation in the face and helps to eliminate oedema. Lymphatic drainage is particularly effective on the eyelids following blepharoplasty surgery, to accelerate healing.

5. A healthy diet to reduce puffiness under the eyes

Low-salt, high-fiber foods tend to improve lymphatic circulation and reduce under-eye puffiness. Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent retention. Drink at least 1.5 L of water a day.

Physical activity, an alcohol-, cigarette- and toxin-free diet and healthy living conditions help reduce signs of fatigue and puffy eyes. Optimum sleep time varies from one individual to another, but 8 hours is generally recommended to avoid “small eyes” syndrome!

6. Removing make-up every night to prevent bags under the eyes

It’s essential to remove make-up properly to allow skin tissue to breathe during the night. It’s scientifically proven that women who don’t remove their make-up perfectly every day tend to age much faster, with wrinkled, dehydrated skin. The effects on the eyelids are catastrophic, as the skin is asphyxiated by the layer of make-up on the dermis!

7. Baking soda for under-eye puffiness

Using baking soda to reduce under-eye puffiness is a common home beauty tip, although scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited. Some claim that gentle, temporary applications of diluted baking soda solutions can help reduce puffiness by temporarily deflating the area. However, it’s crucial to approach this method with caution as the skin around the eyes is particularly delicate and sensitive, and the use of baking soda can potentially irritate this area. Always test on a small area of skin first.

HOW TO GET RID OF UNDER-EYE BAGS FOR GOOD?

While there are many remedies for under-eye bags, only lower eyelid surgery is truly effective. Blepharoplasty, also known as bag resection, permanently removes the fatty pocket!
Eyelid surgery is performed in the operating room on an outpatient basis: you come into the clinic in the morning and leave in the afternoon.

HOW IS LASER EYE BAG REMOVAL PERFORMED?

During an initial consultation with Dr. Bernard Hayot, a specialist in the treatment of bags under the eyes for over 30 years in Paris, you will be given an estimate and informed consent for the operation. The plastic surgeon will explain the indications, risks and precautions to be taken when removing bags of fat from the eyelids.
An appointment with the anaesthetist and a blood test at least 48 hours before the operation are required. The operation can then proceed:

• The plastic surgeon incises the inside of the lower eyelid with a laser scalpel to avoid bleeding and the risk of postoperative hematoma.
• Eyelid surgery consists in removing fat pockets without touching the orbicularis.
• Post-operative recovery is rapid and guaranteed scar-free. Social exclusion does not exceed 3 days.
• The result is definitive: once the pockets are removed, they don’t reappear!

If you have any further questions, ask Dr Hayot, a specialist in eyelid surgery in Paris!

FAQ :

What’s the difference between under-eye bags and malar bags?

Under-eye bags are swelling of the lower eyelid. Malar bags, on the other hand, are located below dark circles (under-eye bags), on the upper part of the cheekbone. Unlike under-eye bags, which correspond to fatty deposits, malar bags are caused by poor lymphatic drainage, leading to water and fat retention and edema.

Who should I consult if I have bags under my eyes?

Before trying to get rid of bags under the eyes, or finding a possible remedy, it’s important to identify the cause. If the bags are due to aging or are a family trait, a plastic surgeon is the right person to consult. On the other hand, before taking any action, it may be necessary to seek the advice of a doctor or ophthalmologist.

Are there any side effects to laser eye bag removal?

Under-eye bags are removed by lower blepharoplasty, a procedure lasting between 30 and 45 minutes under local anaesthetic. Complications are rare, and side effects are mild: hematomas and edema may remain visible for 2 to 6 weeks. Temporary reddening of the skin may also occur.

What will my eyes look like after laser treatment for puffiness?

Because laser treatment of under-eye bags does not require sutures, there is no scarring, hematoma or bleeding. Once the procedure is complete, the result is definitive and the bags are reabsorbed, but the look and expression of the eyes remain unchanged.