Look Younger and Well-Rested: How to Banish Under Eye Bags

While being tired or sleep deprivation is mostly associated with the occurrence of eye bags, it isn’t always the main cause. In most cases, eye puffiness is due to aging and gravity. The fat in the lower eyelid sags as we age, with the gravitational pull weighing down on your skin and causing more of your facial tissues to droop. 

Natural collagen and elastin production also slows down with age, causing the skin to sag and wrinkle. The muscles and the supportive tissues around the eye, furthermore, weaken and are not able to hold up the skin as tightly. On top of it, the skin around the eyes is thinner than the rest of the body, making it more prone to aging and damage. 

Other contributing factors

Apart from aging and gravity, other factors can also contribute to the appearance of eye bags. Some of them may also make the existing puffiness more visible or prominent. These include: 

• Fluid retention (can be due to excessive salt intake or after waking up)
• Allergies
• Lack of sleep
• Smoking
• Stress/environmental sensitivities
• Genetics (under-eye bags and dark circles can run in families)
• Adrenal deficiency

What can help with banishing under eye bags

• Reduce your salt intake – Eating a salty meal can cause your body to retain water, contributing to puffiness in both your face and body. The area around the eyes is susceptible to this because of its thin and delicate skin. 
• Manage your allergies – Try to avoid allergens or your allergy triggers when possible. You can reduce your symptoms with an antihistamine or over-the-counter allergy medication. Talk to your healthcare provider about other prevention and management strategies.
• Try changing your sleeping position – Do you sleep on your side or your stomach? Gravity might have something to do with that puffiness as it can cause fluid to accumulate around your eyes. Try sleeping on your back or adding an extra pillow to elevate your head.
• Limit your alcohol intake – Alcohol dehydrates your skin, which can then cause the skin under the eye to become weak, flabby, and puffy. It also disrupts your normal sleep rhythm, making you restless and tired after waking up. This can also contribute to dark circles under the eyes.
• Don’t smoke – Smoking dries out your skin and exacerbates the issue of under eye puffiness. The toxins in the cigarette smoke, furthermore, damage collagen and elastin, making your skin more susceptible to damage and premature aging. 
• Use a cool compress – Ease puffiness with a cool compress from cucumber slices, chilled spoons, or tea bags. You can also use a damp washcloth and place it around your eyes with some gentle pressure. 
• Use quality eye creams/serums – Dr. Sylvia Skin Care has two eye care products that can help improve puffiness, dark circles, and other signs of aging. These include: 
  • Elastifirm Eye Restore with Peptides and Arnica – has clinically proven ingredients that can reduce inflammation and improve microcirculation. It can help with under eye bags, fine lines, dark circles, and retaining moisture in the skin.
  • Elastifirm Eye Repair with Persian Silk Extract – has collagen-boosting ingredients that can combat damage from free radicals. It can minimize the appearance of wrinkles, reduce puffy eyes, and help firm and tighten the upper eyelid. 
• Use makeup – This is more of a temporary solution if you want to mask your eye bags and under eye circles. Apply a concealer that matches your skin tone, but make sure not to rub or put too much pressure on the area.

Is there a non-invasive procedure that can help with puffy eyes? 

Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is one option to remove droopy eyelids and bags under the eyes. This involves the removal of excess skin or fat via an incision along the folds of the eye or below the eyelashes to reduce sagging or droopiness. It can make you look younger and well-rested, but it has a recovery period of one to two weeks.

If you’re not ready or willing to go under the knife, Plasmage or Blefaroplasma is a good alternative. This non-invasive medical device uses patented plasma energy to heat the skin tissues. Plasmage creates tiny dots of trauma on the upper and lower eyelid by discharging energy when the tip of the device is close to the skin.

The procedure removes excess skin through sublimation, dissolving or evaporating the top layer of the skin without penetration or incision. This also promotes collagen production and triggers tightening and contraction of the skin fibers. Plasmage can lift the skin and provide a rejuvenating effect around the area. 

Read our previous post to learn what you can expect with Plasmage.

Schedule a consultation today

Don’t let puffy eyes and other eye skin concerns betray your age. Tweak your habits and contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore to schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor and learn more about our non-surgical anti-aging treatments.