Are you tired of hearing the same old advice that all you need is good sleep to get rid of eye bags? While that may be true for some, eye bags and puffy eyes can be persistent, bothersome, and unresponsive to simple lifestyle changes.
We have searched high and low for different ways to get rid of these pesky bags under the eyes, ranging from simple home remedies and lifestyle changes to medical treatment. Keep reading to find out how to get rid of eye bags.
Before moving on to the solutions, we must understand what causes eye bags or puffy eyes. The approach to removing bags under the eyes varies significantly depending on the root cause.
Potential causes of eye bags or puffy eyes include:
- Ageing
- Medical conditions, like thyroid issues or eczema
- Allergies
- Family history
- Excessive salt consumption
- Smoking cigarettes
- Sleeping position
- UV exposure from the sun
Without further ado, let’s get into how to remove bags under the eyes:
Here are 7 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes:
1. Cold Compresses and Tea Bags
2. Over-the-Counter Medication
3. Reduce Salt Intake
4. Quit Smoking
5. Change Your Sleeping Position
6. Under-Eye Skincare
7. Cosmetic Treatments
Let's dive into the details:
1. Cold Compresses and Tea Bags
When a cold compress is applied to your skin for a few minutes, it causes the blood vessels underneath to shrink. This will help reduce the swelling under the eyes, thus providing quick relief from eye bags. The best part is that you don’t need any expensive products to apply a cold compress—even a chilled spoon or a wet cloth will do! You can also go for the face ice roller that is all the hype right now.
Cold tea bags have also been reported to be highly effective. Tea bags contain caffeine and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help get rid of eye bags in 15 minutes.
2. Over-the-Counter Medication
If allergies are responsible for your eye bags, taking over-the-counter medications called antihistamines (available as oral medications and eye drops) can help reduce them. Some people also use creams formulated to treat haemorrhoids. Yes, you read that right! Fundamentally, haemorrhoids are just swollen blood vessels, and these OTC creams help reduce the swelling. The same principle is in action to get rid of eye bags.
3. Reduce Salt Intake
Excessive consumption of salt is another cause of under-eye bags and puffy eyes. Controlling your salt intake to stay within the daily recommended limits can be helpful to remove the bags under your eyes. By lowering your salt intake, you can prevent fluid retention that results from a high-sodium diet.
4. Quit Smoking
We all know that smoking is bad for your health in many ways, some of which can be very serious. Smoking can also cause bags under your eyes. Smoking makes the skin under your eyes thinner by speeding up the rate at which collagen is lost. Collagen is what keeps your skin tight and young-looking. This lets the blood vessels below show through, resulting in visible eye bags. There’s one more reason to stop this bad habit!
5. Change Your Sleeping Position
Do you lay flat on your back while you sleep? This could be contributing to your eye bags. Choosing a comfortable sleeping position where your head is slightly elevated can help to remove bags under the eyes in the morning. The elevation helps prevent any fluid retention in the under-eye area. We hate to repeat this, but getting good-quality sleep can also help get rid of puffy eyes.
6. Under-Eye Skincare
Specially formulated under-eye skincare products are a highly effective way to tackle eye bags and puffy eyes. While choosing the best eye serum or cream to remove bags under the eyes, look for ingredients like caffeine, peptides, retinol, and vitamin C. Caffeine narrows blood vessels and reduces swelling; peptides aid collagen production; retinol promotes skin cell regeneration; and vitamin C brightens the skin. These ingredients can help you achieve the fresh look you’re aiming for. This guide on how to choose the best eye serum will help you find the right eye serum for you.
Keep in mind that consistency is key to achieving optimal results. You can also consult a dermatologist or ophthalmologist to identify the root cause of your issue and find a suitable solution.
7. Cosmetic Treatments
In some cases, home remedies and topical skincare products may not be enough to remove bags under the eyes. In this case, it is recommended to consult an experienced ophthalmologic plastic surgeon or aesthetic practitioner who can help you.
Non-surgical treatments like fillers, laser treatments and chemical peels can give results that last from 6 months up to a few years. To remove eye bags permanently, you can opt for a surgical procedure like lower lid blepharoplasty (an eyelid bag procedure where excess fat is removed). These results usually last for life. Make sure to choose an experienced and specialist eye surgeon specialising in performing surgery around the eye.
Now, Hope You Know How to Remove the Bags Under Your Eyes!
There you have it—7 effective ways to eliminate eye bags. Some of these methods help get rid of eye bags in minutes, while others can remove eye bags permanently. Choose the right option for you, seek medical help if required, and say goodbye to your eye bags!
