When the skin below the eyes swells or becomes puffy this is often referred to as having bags under the eyes. As you age, the tissue around the eyes and the muscles used to support the eyelids become weaker and the fat that would normally add additional support to the eye can move forward, giving a puffy appearance to the area around the eyes. In some cases fluid accumulates in the area beneath the eye that causes the area to appear swollen. There are a few methods that can help people hide or eliminate these symptoms if they are self-conscious about their appearance.

How to Treat for Bags Under Eyes

Home Remedies

1. Sleep enough and properly- Make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night to ensure that you are properly rested. Sleep with the head slightly raised, a few inches off the bed. This will help prevent any fluid from accumulating around the eye.
2. Apply cool compress- Take a clean washcloth and dampen it with cool water. Sit up and place this compress on the skin around the eyes using mild pressure. Keep this in place for a few minutes to reduce bags under eyes.
3. Get rid of poor habits- Try not to rub your eyes throughout the day as this can cause bruising. Avoid going to bed before you have taken your makeup off as this can cause irritation, causing liquid to pool around the eye. And try to avoid drinking regularly as this causes dehydration that will weaken the skin around the eyes. Also try to quit smoking as smoking causes the body to develop vascular trouble that can make the veins appear blue and look quite prominent.
4. Makeup- Applying a concealer that matches your skin tone around the eyes can help you hide the discoloration here. If the skin under the eyes is quite dark, choose a concealer that will provide a high amount of coverage like a cream. Pat this concealer on lightly from the inner corners of the eyes to the outer corners.
5. Eat healthy- Making sure you get plenty of water, take vitamins and eat a balanced diet. Dark circles/ bags under eyes can be caused by a lack of vitamin K in the diet or not getting enough vitamin B12 or antioxidants throughout the day. Reducing your salt intake can help avoid puffiness around the eyes and can make the veins appear less blue. Leafy green vegetables along with other fruits and vegetables can help you maintain a clear complexion.
6. Use eye cream- Eye creams that contain retinol or vitamin K can help repair the skin around the eye, eliminating puffiness long-term.
• Cucumber slices- Place two cucumber slices over the bags under your eyes for 10-15 minutes each day as you lie with the eyes closed. Performing this task daily can help reduce swelling here.
• Tea bags- Tannin in tea can help treat discoloration of the skin. Lie down each morning and place a cool damp tea bag on the eyes for 10-15 minutes with the eyes closed. Select a tea bag with caffeine for the best effect.
• Potato- Blend an uncooked potato to create a puree. Close your eyes and place a spoonful of this mixture on the eyes for 30 minutes as you lay flat. Gently wash the residue off with warm water.
• Frozen spoon- Freeze a spoon for 10-15 minute to get it good and cold. Cover the dark circles under your eyes with this spoon until it becomes warm again, treating it like a cold compress.
• Relieve stress and be positive- Becoming stressed or dealing with anxiety can disrupt your eating habits or lead to you not sleeping properly. This can cause the skin around the eyes to puff out. Making a point of relaxing will allow your skin to reflect these changes.

• Here are more natural ways to get rid of bags under eyes (with pictures!). The following video has more options:Medical Treatments

  • Skin treatments- Treatments are available to eliminate the appearance of wrinkles around the eye. Some people find that these symptoms are embarrassing or make them look older. A laser resurfacing treatment or a chemical peel can be used to help tighten the skin around the eye or improve the skin tone in this area. This has been found to minimize the swelling and discoloration associated with bags under the eyes.
  • Eyelid surgery- A blepharoplasty can be used to remove the bags under the eyes if they are severe or interfere with the patient's life. This surgery calls for your doctor to make cuts below the eyelashes in the area where the eye naturally creases below the lid. They can then move in and remove the sagging skin or excess fat from this area. The doctor may need to place stitches below the crease or inside the lower eyelid to tighten the skin after the procedure.