Bags often appear under the eyes and are a common sign of aging. Collagen helps keep our skin elastic and taut but starts disappearing after age 25. Sleeping on your back also allows fluid to accumulate below the eyes making them appear swollen and puffy. Fluid retention, eating a salty diet, hereditary factors and insufficient sleep also causes eye bags to appear. So, how to get rid of bags under eyes? Fortunately, there are several options that can effectively manage this problem.
How to Get Rid of Bags Under Eyes
1. Homemade Soothing Techniques
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Technique |
Description |
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Parsley, Honey and Yogurt Mask
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Parsley has a soothing effect and is a natural method to decrease the puffiness associated with bags. This natural remedy is known for the ability to reduce the appearance of dark or discolored skin spots. Mix ground parsley with honey or yogurt and apply for 10 to 15 minutes. |
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Cucumber or Potato Slices
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Use fresh and slightly chilled cucumber or potato slices. Applying fresh slices for ten minutes is an effective way to reduce both bags and the dark color that goes along with puffiness. |
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Cold Water
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Cold water stimulates the skin and improves circulation, especially for swollen eyes. Splashing cold water on the face several times a day will help the body carry away the excess fluid. |
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Frozen Tea Bags
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Black or green tea, chamomile tea or sage broth are highly effective for home treatment of bags. Simply place frozen tea bags over closed eyes for about 15 minutes to decrease swelling and improve your appearance. Make sure the tea bags are already brewed before use. |
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Rosewater and Witch Hazel Mixture
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A soothing mixture of equal parts of rosewater and witch hazel is an effective home remedy to eliminate the puffy appearance from eye bags. Witch hazel will tone and tighten the skin and is used to treat a variety of health concerns. |
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Chilled Metal Spoons
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Chill a metal spoon in the refrigerator and apply over the eyes and swollen area with gentle pressure. A few minutes will provide relief of the swelling and puffiness. Chilled metal spoons can also provide immediate relief of itching due to allergy problems. |
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Cool Washcloth Compress
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First wet a cool clean washcloth with water. While in a seated position, place the cool washcloth over the eye region and apply mild pressure over the eye bags. Do this for a few minutes and consider repeating for improved results. |
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Facial Exercises and Eyes Massage
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Practicing facial exercises will help to tone and improve the overall appearance of the face. Simply practicing the range of normal facial expressions can improve overall skin tone. Give yourself a gentle facial or eye massage to improve circulation and stimulate your body’s natural healing powers. |
2. More Helpful Methods
- Enough Sleep. Sleep deprivation is a definite contributor to eye bag formation. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night on a consistent basis. Taking a short afternoon nap can also help.
- Right Sleep Position. Sleeping with the head slightly elevated prevents fluid from accumulating around the eyes. Simply prop up your head with an extra pillow or elevate the head of the mattress. Alternatively, you can prop up the entire head of the bed by using blocks. Sleeping on the stomach can also cause eye bags to appear.
- Proper Nutrition and Fluids. Nutrition plays a key role in the health and appearance of the skin. A diet rich in leafy green vegetables is a critical element for skin and also overall health. Be sure to include spinach, cabbage and plenty of fruit in your diet. Vitamin K and the antioxidants found in natural foods help to reduce the occurrence of eye bags. Stay hydrated by drinking 7-8 glasses of water a day and keep dietary salt to a minimum.
- Quitting Smoking. Smoking damages the skin and also affects the fragile blood vessels under the skin. Quitting smoking will provide a dramatic improvement in the overall appearance of the skin.
- Allergens Avoidance. Allergies to cosmetic products and environmental triggers can develop at any time. Try to avoid allergens when possible and avoid sleeping with the bedroom window open. Consult with your doctor about developing strategies to prevent allergic reactions.
3. Medical Treatments
These options require a visit to a physician or trained cosmetic professional.
- Laser Therapy and Skin Peel. Laser resurfacing and chemical skin peels are two methods to improve skin tone and tighten the skin. This option decreases the puffy appearance and can remove skin discoloration.
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery). This surgical procedure will remove excess fat and sagging skin. A plastic or cosmetic surgeon will cut below the eyelashes or lower eyelid to perform the procedure. Sutures may be required to close up the incision. After the healing is complete, the positive results generally last a few decades.
- Wrinkle Filler Injection. Dermatologists and cosmetically trained physicians can inject filling substances to reduce the appearance of eye bags. Unfortunately these treatments only last about eight months and are generally very expensive. The combination of Botox and fillers is highly effective in temporarily eliminating the appearance of eye bags, wrinkles and skin creases.