Most of the time, we are tempted to believe that bags under the eyes appear due to fatigue, but other health problems may be behind these manifestations. Find out, from the following lines, how bags under the eyes appear, what remedies there are for this problem and in which situations surgical treatment can be applied.
Why do bags appear under the eyes?
Bags under the eyes, known scientifically as infraorbital oedema, are an aesthetic problem, manifested in the form of bumps appearing in the lower eye area. They may be temporary or may persist for a long period of time. Most of the time, bags under the eyes do not represent any danger to health, apart from aesthetic considerations, but they can serve as indicators of certain imbalances in the body's functions.
The most common causes of under-eye bags are:
- excessive salt consumption - Foods high in salt can cause oedema, especially when eaten in large quantities. If you have such foods in your diet, you may experience swelling of the legs or arms, an increase in the size of the abdomen or the appearance of oedema under the eyes;
- allergic reactions - some allergies may manifest as infraorbital oedema. This will subside once the allergic reaction stops;
- pronounced fatigue - Insufficient hours of sleep and late nights can take their toll on the appearance of the eyes and can lead to the appearance of dark circles or bags under the eyes. Sleep plays a crucial role in supporting cognitive function and the immune system, but it also has a strong influence on the appearance of the skin, which is all the more reason to focus on a proper sleep schedule;
- loss of skin elasticity - With advancing age, the body's collagen production begins to decline. This causes the skin to lose elasticity, leading to wrinkles and bags under the eyes;
- hormonal disorders, such as thyroid gland disorders, can cause infraorbital oedema;
- accumulation of adipose tissue can lead to the formation of fatty bags under the eyes;
- genetic factors - some people inherit these characteristics from their parents, without the presence of any medical conditions.
Bags under the eyes are often more noticeable in the first part of the day, especially when triggers are insufficient rest or consumption of high-sodium foods. In these situations, the infraorbital oedema gradually reduces during the day without the need for treatment.
Remedies for dark circles and bags under the eyes
Bags under the eyes are unsightly and can affect the entire appearance of the complexion, making it look dull and tired. For this reason, people who experience infraorbital oedema want to find the most effective ways to get rid of this problem. Not all remedies, however, offer the desired results. It is important that when bags under the eyes are caused by certain conditions or hormonal imbalances, to focus on treating these health problems and thus you will be able to solve the problem of bags under the eyes.
If infraorbital oedema is caused by occasional fluid retention or occurs after a night of not getting enough rest, it is possible that this condition can be remedied using a few simple tricks. For example, cold compresses can be effective when applied over closed eyes. You can use ice packs, cold water or cucumber slices, which are known to have a revitalising effect on the skin. It is important to mention that compresses should not be applied excessively, as too low temperatures can damage the skin around the eyes.
Correct hydration is also important for reducing bags under the eyes, especially when they occur due to fluid retention. Consume plenty of water when dealing with this cosmetic problem, so as to stimulate drainage in the eyes.
Bags under the eyes - surgical treatment
There are, however, situations in which bags under the eyes require specialist treatment. The surgical intervention performed to correct infraorbital oedema is called lower blepharoplasty and is currently a quick operation with visible long-term effects. Both women and men can enjoy the benefits of lower blepharoplasty and the procedure requires no special preparation.
Following a consultation, the plastic surgeon will be able to decide on the technique necessary to perform the surgery, but also on the volume of fat, muscle and/or skin to be removed. Lower blepharoplasty is performed under local or total anaesthesia, and the duration of such a procedure is about 45 minutes.
Postoperative recovery lasts around 10 days, after which the patient can resume normal daily activities. During the first few days, however, it is recommended to avoid physical exertion and activities that overload the eyes (using electronic devices or reading under artificial light).
How can you prevent bags under the eyes?
The lifestyle of each of us is reflected, over time, in our health and physical appearance. Often, bags under the eyes can be prevented by adopting healthy habits and giving up harmful ones:
- observance of a proper sleep schedule - Specialists recommend a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep each night, so that the body has time to recover and be ready for a new day. Try to go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time every day. This will help your body get used to a steady rhythm;
- avoiding foods high in salt - Sodium causes fluid retention, which can lead to bags under the eyes. For this reason, it is important to eat foods with a balanced salt intake;
- keeping a sufficiently long interval between dinner and bedtime - In this way, sodium retention will not be as high and sleep will be more restful;
- correct fluid intake - dehydration of the body can lead to infraorbital oedema, so it is important to consume at least 2 litres of water every day to maintain optimal body functions;
- the use of quality cosmetics to moisturise the skin - moisturising products should not be missing from your daily skin and body care routine. In this way, collagen production is kept at an adequate level and the skin maintains its elasticity;
- protecting the skin against harmful sun rays - UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation can have damaging effects on the health and appearance of the skin, especially when it is exposed to the sun for long periods. It is important to apply a high sun protection factor product whenever you are exposed to the sun's rays to avoid problems such as bags under the eyes.
Whatever the cause, bags under the eyes are undoubtedly unsightly. They can markedly alter the physiognomy when they are in an advanced stage, so more and more people are resorting to surgical treatment of infraorbital oedema. For the most correct approach to the treatment plan, it is necessary to specialist consultationperformed by the beautician. Only the aesthetic surgeon can assess whether or not a case of infraorbital oedema can be treated surgically and what steps are necessary.
For more information or to make an appointment with Cronos Med specialists, you can contact us on 021 9097 or by using contact form on our website.
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