How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes

Getting visible bags under the eyes commonly occurs in adults over the age of 30. However, they can also occur in younger people and be considered a burden, which is why under-eye bag removal can be sought after by people of varying ages. 

Their visibility does tend to increase over the years, since the appearance of bags under the eyes ultimately depends on the elasticity of the skin, which decreases with age. While younger sufferers can often achieve satisfactory results with home remedies, older patients have less luck gaining any aesthetic improvements with such measures.

But what are bags under the eyes anyway? Where do they come from and is there a sure way of how to get rid of eye bags? And how can you prevent them from developing at an early stage?

In This Article

Here we will answer the most important questions about bags under the eyes and explain how unwanted puffiness can potentially be eliminated with home remedies. But if these methods don’t produce the desired effect, we’ll also explain the two most common surgical procedures for under-eye bag removal and their costs.

If you are considering surgery, we will also be happy to provide you with non-binding personal advice on your options for lower eyelid blepharoplasty at home or abroad.

What Are Bags Under the Eyes?

Eye bags refer to the circular bulges that appear under the eyes; they consist of accumulated fluid or fatty tissue and do not usually pose any health problems. However, they are often perceived as aesthetically undesirable by those who have them, prompting people to find ways of how to get rid of eye bags.

How Does the Puffiness Under the Eyes Develop?

Eye bags are caused by an accumulation of fluid or fatty tissue in this particular area of the face. This can be caused by a disturbance of the lymphatic flow, through which the fluid is no longer completely drained.

Even though the appearance of pronounced bags under the eyes is rare in early adulthood, the tension of the lower eyelid already begins to decrease, which favours the development of bags, which will then eventually sink and cause a ‘drooping’ look.

The Causes of Bags Under the Eyes at a Glance:

Heredity: a genetic predisposition can make someone more prone to bags under the eyes.

Ageing: as we age, the skin loses elasticity and firmness, which can lead to sagging tissues and bulging.

Fluid retention: a build-up of fluid can cause bags to form under the eyes.

Lack of sleep: insufficient sleep can lead to puffy eyes and bags under the eyes.

Allergies: allergic reactions can cause puffiness and irritation that can manifest as bags under the eyes.

Lifestyle factors: smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet can all contribute to the development of bags under the eyes.

It is important to note that bags under the eyes can vary from person to person and can have several simultaneous causes.

Why Are Bags Under the Eyes Considered Undesirable?

Much of the way we communicate with one another goes via the eyes, and even a lot of non-verbal feelings can be expressed through our eyes alone. It is therefore understandable that some people are troubled by their eye bags. But what tends to bother people more is that they can make the face look tired or older, being often associated with lack of sleep, ageing, or even illness.

Younger adults can usually rely on visible puffiness quickly diminishing or disappearing altogether, using the home remedies described below as a way of how to get rid of eye bags in minutes. Older adults on the other hand, are prone to more permanent visibility that is harder to reduce.

How Can Bags Under the Eyes Be Treated?

There are different approaches to under-eye bag removal or reduction, which can vary depending on the cause and severity. Here are some common methods:

Home remedies and lifestyle changes: applying cold compresses, eye creams and keeping up a healthy lifestyle can help reduce puffiness. See the section below for more information.

Hyaluronic acid fillers: in some cases, injecting hyaluronic acid fillers under the skin can help improve smoothness and reduce the appearance of bags under the eyes.

Surgical procedures: in advanced cases, surgical procedures such as a lower eyelid blepharoplasty may be considered to remove excess tissue to improve appearance.

In cases where bags under the eyes are severe and considered bothersome, it is advisable to consult an experienced specialist to find the best possible treatment option for your specific situation.

How to Get Rid of Eye Bags with Home Remedies

Depending on the cause and the age of the affected person, you can individually try some home remedies to reduce the unwanted eye bags or possibly make them disappear completely. Since they are a form of swelling, any kind of cooling as well as stimulation of the blood circulation will help. Particularly popular methods include:

• Cooled gel pads

• Cooled tea or coffee bags

• Cooled cucumber slices

• Cool quark mask

• Cooled teaspoons

• There are also special gels and serums available from pharmacies that can help with the swelling. 

We strongly advise against using decongestant ointments from the pharmacy for other parts of the body and purposes, such as sports ointments or ointments against haemorrhoids, because they will do more harm than good if applied so close to the eyes.

How Can You Prevent Bags Under the Eyes?

There are various measures that come from a healthy lifestyle that can also help to prevent puffiness under the eyes. These include:

• Drinking plenty of fluids

• Cooling down and stimulating blood circulation

• Avoiding stress

• Getting enough sleep

• Moisturising the skin around the eyes

• Relaxation exercises for the eyes

• Gentle facial massage

• Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt

• Avoiding alcohol and nicotine

At What Point Is Surgery the Best Option?

Depending on the severity of the problem, an operation can be performed to significantly change the appearance and improve the self-confidence of those affected. However, it is usually the case that the costs of the operation have to be borne by the patient. And as a medical intervention like any other, it is associated with risks and side effects that every patient must familiarise themselves with beforehand.

A comprehensive consultation with an experienced surgeon is therefore extremely important to determine not only whether surgery is actually necessary, but also which type of surgery would be the most suitable. In addition, a trustworthy surgeon will make sure that the following important conditions are met:

• Physical and mental health

• Realistic expectations of the operation

How Is a Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty Performed?

If non-invasive procedures such as correction with fillers or fat transfer are insufficient due to the eye bags’ severity, there are two standard invasive procedures to choose from that have been tried and tested for years. These are explained in more detail in the next section.

An eyelid operation takes about one to three hours and is usually performed under local anaesthesia in twilight sleep or also with general anaesthesia. The treatment is usually done on an outpatient basis or with an overnight stay in hospital. After one week, the stitches are removed and after two weeks, patients can resume gentler activities again.

After 12-14 days, patients will be able to carry on their regular work and leisure schedules again. It takes about 6-12 weeks for the final result to show.

Lower Eyelid Lifting from the Inside via the Conjunctiva (Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty)

A method that does not require a visible incision or scar is particularly suitable for patients without excess skin. The bulging bags under the eyes and the resulting shadows are caused by fatty tissue. During the procedure, this fatty tissue is removed or distributed to achieve an even transition between the eyelid and cheek. In this procedure, the removal of the fatty tissue alone ensures that the bags under the eyes disappear.

Lower Eyelid Lift with an Incision at the Lash Line (Subciliary Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty)

In this method, in addition to the removal of excess fat, an eyelid lift is performed via an incision directly under the eyelashes, with removal of the excess skin. The skin under the eye is tightened up to the base of the cheek and finely sutured together at the edge of the eyelid. After complete healing, usually only a very fine line remains, which is hardly noticeable.

How Much Does a Lower Eyelid Lift Cost?

As the lower eyelid lift is usually for aesthetic reasons and not a medical necessity, the procedure must be paid for privately. If you are privately insured, be sure to speak to your health insurance company to find out whether the costs can be entirely or partly covered.

Prices for a blepharoplasty in many countries start at about €1,000 per eye; in the UK, the costs are considerably higher. Reach out to us if you’d like a free, non-binding quote from one of our experienced partner clinics abroad, and we’ll be happy to take you along the whole process.

Sources:

NHS (2019): 'Eyelid Surgery', last accessed on 15.6.23 Gabby Shacknai, ASPS (2022): 'How to Get Rid of Under Eye Bags', last accessed on 15.6.23

British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons: 'Information About Blepharoplasty Surgery (Eyelid Reduction)', last accessed on 15.6.23