Eye Bags

Introduction

A pair of radiant, sparkling eyes can enhance your attractiveness and charisma. However, as age catches up, not only do fine lines and wrinkles appear around the eyes, but eye bags can also develop. Eye bags or periorbital puffiness are common issues that can affect anyone. They not only make you appear tired and weary but also add several years to your age.

Types of Eye Bags

Eye bags typically form under the lower eyelid, where the skin exhibits varying degrees of puffiness and sagging, resembling small pouches that protrude from the side view. Eye bags are primarily categorized as fat, skin laxity, or Temporary eye bags.

Excessive fatty tissue related Eye Bags

Fat eye bags are primarily related to the fat tissues and skin tissues under the lower eyelid. These fat deposits are surrounded by the orbital septum. When the orbital septum starts to sag and thin, the fat under the eyes may bulge out, forming fat eye bags. These are usually more prominent and are commonly seen in older individuals but can also affect younger people.

Sagging skin related Eye Bags

Lax eye bags occur when the skin under the lower eyelid starts to sag and droop. Although the fat beneath the orbital septum doesn't protrude, a slight puffiness is visible from a side view. Lax eye bags are typically seen in younger individuals.

Temporary eye bags

Temporary eye bags mainly consist of puffiness and tear trough Temporary eye bags. Water-retention-related puffiness involves no protrusion of fat under the lower eyelid. Instead, it is due to the accumulation of excess water within the skin. Poor circulation around the eyes can result in the appearance of puffiness. Tear trough Temporary eye bags, on the other hand, are an illusion created by the sunken tear trough area. This makes the skin tissue under the lower eyelid appear swollen and bulging from a side view. It's not an actual eye bag but a visual illusion caused by the concave tear trough.

Causes of Eye Bags

There are several factors contributing to the development of eye bags, including:

Ageing: Eye bags that develop later in life are mainly caused by the aging of the skin around the eyes and the underlying tissues. The skin under the lower eyelid loses elasticity and sags with age. The orbicularis oculi muscle and orbital septum may also become lax with age. These changes prevent the eye's fat from staying in place, causing the orbital fat to protrude forward. Gravity further contributes to the descent of the protruding fat, leading to the formation of eye bags, along with aging-related issues like dark circles and tear troughs.
Tear Trough Hollows: Tear troughs can be congenital or result from the loss of soft tissue with age. Tear troughs extend from the inner corner of the eye, following the under-eye area to the cheek. The sunken appearance of tear troughs creates a contrast with the surrounding full skin, making the skin tissue under the lower eyelid appear swollen. However, it's not due to protruding fat but rather the deepening of tear troughs.
Eye Puffiness: Severe eye puffiness can mimic eye bags, primarily due to excessive salt intake, alcohol consumption, or poor lifestyle habits. This is unrelated to the fat and muscle tissues beneath the lower eyelid. When the swelling subsides, the eye bags disappear.
Genetics: Some individuals experience eye bags at a young age due to congenitally recessed lower eye socket bones. This causes the orbital fat to protrude, giving the appearance of fat eye bags.
Eye Habits: Excessive eye use, late nights, prolonged screen time, and excessive rubbing of the eyes can lead to premature sagging of the skin around the eyes and the orbicularis oculi muscle, resulting in drooping eye bags.

Treatments

Tear Trough Dermal Filler

Hyaluronic acid dermal filler for the tear trough is suitable for mild eye bags and pseudobags caused by sunken tear troughs. By filling the sunken areas, this treatment improves the under-eye hollows, making the skin under the eyes appear smoother and reducing the prominence of eye bags. We use Teoxane REDENSITY® 2, a hyaluronic acid dermal filler specially designed for tear troughs and eye-area skin concerns by Teoxane. It contains ingredients such as glutathione, Alpha lipoic acid, amino acids, and other nutrients. This filler helps to lighten pigmentation and provide hydration to the skin around the eyes, reducing dark circles. Teoxane REDENSITY® 2 is also the only hyaluronic acid filler certified by the US FDA for improving tear troughs and dark circles.

Eye Bag Surgery

Severe cases of eye bags may be addressed with surgical procedures performed by a plastic surgeon. This approach allows for the removal of excess protruding lower eyelid fat, the tightening of the orbital septum, and the correction of dark circles and tear troughs. If you are interested, we can recommend a plastic surgeon to meet your specific needs, ensuring the best results in eliminating eye bags.