After surgery, you can expect some swelling, bruising and eye dryness in the days following the procedure. Most people find that swelling and bruising decreases significantly in about 10 to 14 days. Vrcek I, et al. Infraorbital dark circles: A review of the pathogenesis, evaluation and treatment. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2016; doi:10.4103/0974-2077.184046. Depending on what's causing bags under the eyes, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may be a treatment option. Your surgeon will tailor your blepharoplasty (BLEF-uh-roe-plas-tee) to your unique anatomy and needs, but in general the procedure involves removing excess fat through an incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid or inside the lower lid. The procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting with local anesthesia. There are also wrinkle treatments and skin therapies designed to tighten under-eye skin and reduce puffiness. These include options such as: Halt the salt. If you’re a little heavy-handed with the salt shaker -- or enjoy high-sodium foods like pizza and potato chips -- switch to something less salty. Sodium makes your body retain fluid and can cause bags to form.

Drink enough water. Common guidance suggests adult women drink 2.3 quarts of water a day and adult males drink 3.2 quarts a day. But Cleveland Clinic recommends talking to your doctor to get the most accurate amount. A lower eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) is an outpatient procedure where the surgeon readjusts the fat in the lower eye area and tightens the muscle and skin to create a smooth appearance. In most cases, a lower eyelid lift gets rid of under-eye bags for life — it’s rare for people to need future touch-ups. Most eye bags under the eyes are more noticeable in the morning, after the fluid has had all night to settle in. What causes bags under the eyes?Beyond how you sleep, how much you sleep is also a factor. Although limited sleep may not actually cause under-eye circles, getting little sleep may make your complexion paler. Any shadows or dark circles you have may be more obvious as a result. However, that doesn't mean I didn't test out a ton of eye products—from creams and balms to ice rollers to laser treatments— designed to combat under eye bags. I even reached out to some of the most trusted dermatologist for their suggestions for temporarily depuffing and brightening under eye bags, too. If you have stubborn eye bags, the next-level approach includes therapies like laser resurfacing and chemical peels and fillers. They’re non-invasive and can tone and tighten your skin. Hemorrhoid creams: Some people pat over-the-counter creams designed for hemorrhoid treatment under their eyes. Product ingredients such as phenylephrine narrow blood vessels to reduce swelling. But use these products with caution: They may cause irritation in this sensitive area. Also, it’s important to keep this medication from getting in your eyes. Laser resurfacing: This treatment uses a laser to remove surface layers of wrinkly skin in the under-eye area and stimulate new collagen growth, resulting in firmer skin. Results can last years, depending on your skin type and sun exposure.

Filler: This treatment places a filler material (usually hyaluronic acid, which is a jelly-like substance) where the under-eye area and cheek meet to create a smooth transition. The injection is performed in a doctor’s office under local anesthetic. Results last six to 12 months. Use a cool, damp washcloth as an eye compress, preferably while you’re sitting upright. You can also use cucumber slices or cold, damp tea bags to help reduce swelling. Use a cool compress. Wet a clean washcloth with cool water. While sitting up, apply the damp washcloth to the skin under and around your eyes for a few minutes using light pressure. Bags under eyes are caused when the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken. The skin may start to sag, and fat that's usually around the eye can move into the area below your eyes. Also, the space below your eyes can gather fluid, making the area look puffy or swollen. Several factors cause or worsen this effect, including:

How to Choose a Doctor

Pinpoint your allergies. Allergies may cause you to rub your eyes. This makes them puff up. If you know what you’re allergic to, talk to your doctor about medication. If you don’t, explore your soaps, hair dyes, hair spray, cleansers, and cosmetics to see if eliminating anything makes your bags better. The benefits, side effects and risks associated with these options should be discussed with your ophthalmologist, oculoplastic surgeon or plastic surgeon. Just M, et al. Effect of smoking on skin elastic fibres: Morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis. British Journal of Dermatology. 2007; doi: org.10,1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07575.x. While you may not be able to get rid of eye bags, you may be able to reduce their appearance with some practices and topical products. These can include getting enough sleep, sleeping elevated, quitting smoking if you smoke, and applying sunscreen. Topical products containing retinol may also help. How can I tighten the skin under my eyes? Reduce allergy symptoms. Avoid allergens when possible. Try nonprescription allergy medications. Talk to your health care provider about prevention strategies if you develop under-eye reactions due to hair dyes, soaps, cosmetics or other allergens.

Avoid screens, such as televisions, cell phones, and other electronic devices, for 1 hour before bedtime. Not-so-fun fact: The skin under your eyes is ten times thinner than any other skin on your body, which makes it more prone to swelling (caused by gathering excess fluids), and discolouration (the network of blood vessels visible through transparent skin). This is why the area is prone to puffiness and dark circles, aka eye bags. While only professional treatments can completely get rid of under-eye bags, amping up the brightness around your eyes can make shadows less noticeable and bags look flatter. You can use this eye cream day or night, but because it’s so lightweight, I prefer to layer it under my concealer to help it blend better into my foundation. If you’re considering surgery for the bags under your eyes, your surgeon will be able to lay out the process in detail, explain the risks involved, and answer any questions you have.Patient education: Allergic rhinitis. American Academy of Family Physicians. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/patient_handout/5-s2.0-pe_AAFP_allergic-rhinitis_en. Accessed Nov. 12, 2021. Give yourself props. When you sleep, fluid can collect under your eyes and cause puffiness. Prop yourself up with an additional pillow or elevate the head of your bed. Sleep with your head slightly raised. It may help to add an extra pillow or prop up the head of your mattress. Or elevate the entire head of the bed a few inches. This helps prevent fluid from accumulating around your eyes as you sleep. Surgery (aka a lower blepharoplasty, where excess fat and tissue is removed from under the eyes for a permanently smooth result) Göllner I, et al. (2017). Ingestion of an oral hyaluronan solution improves skin hydration, wrinkle reduction, elasticity, and skin roughness: Results of a clinical study.