Eye bags is one of the common cosmetic problems of people. As obvious it is, the problem makes a person look older than he or she actually is. Not to mention, the unattractiveness of the bags, which gets worse with dark circles, may affect a person’s self-esteem to a great degree. There is no denial to the fact that everyone wants to look good and attractive, but having problems such as eye bags, may make it difficult. There are although many products on the market that claim to reduce puffiness and manage dark circles, they may cost a fortune. And chances are that they still might not work as they claimed to be.
How to Treat Bags Under Eyes At Home?
# Inculcating foods rich in Vitamin A, E and C in the diet has proved as an effective method to reduce eye bags. It not only helps in reducing the puffiness, but also helps in keeping the skin clear and moist. As mentioned earlier, diet consisting of a high salt content is one of the reasons of baggy eyes. So, a low-salt diet is what is required.
# Administering lavender oil also comes in handy when treating eye bags. Prepare a mixture of the oil with 2½ cup of water, and mix well. Soak some cotton balls in the solution and after squeezing out the extra water, place the cotton ball over the eyes. This method provides great relief to the eyes.
# Bags may form under eyes due to improper redistribution of fluid and this is associated with eye swelling. So what most doctors recommend is to use pillows that keep the head in an elevated position (preferably two pillows) while sleeping. This helps the fluid in the area to drain out, and may help in reducing the puffiness.
# Using cold compresses such as ice-cold milk, ice-cold water, ice cubes, eye creams and gels chilled in the refrigerator, and cold facial masks also help.
# Baggy eyes appear worse during morning hours. This is due to the build up of fluid overnight. So, performing exercises such as jogging or even skipping can help reduce the swelling and improve the appearance of the bags.
Medical Treatment
Leaving out aging, certain medical conditions also come in the list of offenders. So finding the root cause of your eye bags and eliminating it should be the first step in the treatment. Common causes include:
Sleep disorders
Menstruation
Stress
Depression
Heredity
Salty food
Improper blood circulation
Alcohol abuse
Smoking
Anemia
Kidney disorder or disease
Blepharoplasty refers to eyelid surgery which helps in fixing eye bags. It is especially beneficial for people who take the problem as a cosmetic concern. People who are physically fit and have realistic expectation from the surgery, are considered as eligible candidates for the surgery. On the other hand, people who might be suffering from thyroid problem such as Graves’ malady or hypothyroidism are not usually recommended to go for the surgery, as they are at a higher risk of facing certain complications post surgery. Other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, circulatory diseases, dry eye, and glaucoma may also interfere with the surgery.
The surgery consists of procedures, wherein, the surgeon makes a few tiny incisions below the eyelash. The aim is to basically get rid of the fat and surplus skin. The surgeon may also include different methods and it all depends on the underlying cause of the bags, and discussions with the patient about the different options available.
Note that blepharoplasty does not promise to get rid of other problems such as dark circles or crow’s-feet. For dark circles, here are some tips that you can follow on a day-to-day basis:
Keep your body well hydrated by drinking plenty of water (around 10 glasses) everyday.
Apart from getting 7-8 hours of sound sleep, ensure that your eyes are not subjected to excessive strain.
Massaging the area around the eyes with almond oil or coconut oil every night before retiring to bed, also proves effective in reducing the dark circles. Take care that you massage the area gently and don’t over-massage.
You can use freshly cut slices of cucumber or potato, to put them over your eyelids for about 15-20 minutes everyday. This gives a soothing feeling to the eyes.
You can make a paste of turmeric powder or sandal wood and apply the paste below the eyes, and leave it to dry up for sometime. Thereafter, wash your face with lukewarm water, and then apply a cream (preferably an anti-aging cream).
Milk cream has also been used as a beneficial product for reducing dark circles under eyes. Every night before going to bed, apply some of it under the eyes, and let it stay overnight.
Shunning habits such as smoking, alcohol abuse, over sleeping, and maintaining a balanced diet also provide a great deal of benefit in treating such problems.
Aging is the most common cause of bags under eyes, and needless to say, there is no cure to it. However, with the help of these creams “anti-aging,” exercise, and a healthy diet, the problem can be managed well. And if it occurs at a young age, then it is most likely caused by some underlying disorder in the body which needs to get addressed by a medical expert.