Why do bags under the eyes appear and how to get rid of the defect?

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Bags under the eyes are a common name for the accumulation of fluid under the skin of the periorbital area. Edema should be distinguished from paint bags resulting from the development of fat cells and the formation of a hernia. In the latter case, the protrusion of the skin is only a cosmetic defect and it is impossible to get rid of it, except with the help of blepharoplasty.

Puffy bags can appear in people of any age and gender, but they develop much more often in women. Such formations do not look very attractive, they often indicate an incorrect lifestyle of the owner, and sometimes they are a symptom of various ailments.

Reasons for the formation of bags under the eyes in healthy people

Sacks in the periorbital zone can be called multifactorial formation. There are so many reasons for their appearance that it is impossible to point to any one. Most often, swelling under the eyes in healthy people occurs after a sleepless night, overwork, tears. A large amount of water drunk in the evening can also cause swelling in the morning.

Other factors that can lead to the appearance of bags under the eyes:

• excessive passion for alcohol;
• stay in the scorching sun or wind;
• long reading, working at the computer;
• sleeping without a pillow or face down;
• improper use of lenses or poorly fitted glasses;
• genetic inheritance.

The appearance of bags under the eyes in women can be triggered by pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome, low-quality creams, cosmetics not washed off at night. Edema under the eyes is especially pronounced in elderly patients. The tissues of the infraorbital zone stretch with age and lose their elasticity, elastic fibers can no longer take their previous shape, the skin sags.

Considering the causes of the appearance of bags and edema in the periorbital region, one should also mention such factors as bites of mosquitoes and midges, contact with the eyes of sand, litter, insects. All this provokes irritation of the mucous membrane and the appearance of swelling.

Why are bags formed in the lower eyelid area in men? Since the structure of tissues in the stronger sex is the same as in women, the reasons are the same (with the exception of PMS and pregnancy). The only difference is that in men, bags often appear from the abuse of pickles, smoked meats, pickles, smoking and alcohol.

Pathological causes

If the swelling under the eyes is persistent and has already acquired a chronic nature, it is worth thinking about serious problems that cause water retention in the body. It can be:

• impaired renal function;
• pathology of the heart and blood vessels;
• hypothyroidism;
• chronic rhinitis, ARVI, occurring with the development of conjunctivitis;
• allergic reactions;
• sinusitis.

Another reason for the appearance of edema under the eyes can be trauma to the soft tissues and bones of the face. If we talk about kidney disease, pyelonephritis, proteinuria, nephritis can provoke bags. The resulting loss of albumin leads to the accumulation of fluid in the body and the formation of swelling. Such swelling under the eyes is most pronounced in the morning and does not disappear during the day.

White bags under the lower eyelids clearly indicate vitiligo. Light circles are one-sided or double, they can have a fuzzy, vague shape and do not bring any discomfort, except for aesthetic ones.

Among the reasons for the swelling of the eyelids, one should also mention ophthalmic operations. During the recovery period, all patients are faced with the appearance of bags and bruises under the eyes. Severe edema is also observed after rhinoplasty.

Diagnostics

The variety of causes and provoking factors makes diagnosis very difficult. Therefore, the doctor has to resort to a lot of research to understand exactly why bags and swelling appeared under the eyes.

First of all, it is necessary to exclude problems with the kidneys and heart from the anamnesis. For this, the patient is prescribed the following diagnostic measures:

• general and biochemical blood test;
• urine analysis (general, according to Nechiporenko and Zimnitsky);
• cystoscopy;
• Ultrasound examination of the kidneys;
• Robert’s test;
• scintigraphy;
• CT and MRI.

If bags under the eyes persist and are accompanied by shortness of breath and pain behind the sternum, the patient is referred for echocardiography and ECG.

Further in-depth tests are assigned based on the data received. If necessary, the patient is recommended to visit a urologist, endocrinologist, ENT doctor or gynecologist.

How to remove bags under the eyes

What to do if bags in the infraorbital area become noticeable? Due to the fact that swelling under the eyes can be triggered by different factors, methods of dealing with edema differ. For some, masks, creams and plasters help others, hardware procedures are suitable for others, but still others will be saved only by an operation. It should be remembered that if the bags under the lower eyelids are caused by pathology, you must first cure it.

Operation

A procedure to remove large bags under the eyes is called blepharoplasty. Patients at an age for whom other methods no longer help them more often turn to her. Manipulation allows you to remove excess fat tissue through a thin incision along the edge of the eyelid, tighten the skin and smooth out wrinkles.

Blepharoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. The duration of the operation does not exceed 1.5 hours. Rehabilitation in the absence of complications takes 2-3 weeks. Naturally, in the first days, the patient will encounter the same bags and edema in the infraorbital region. But soon everything will heal, and the result will remain for years.

Cosmetology procedures

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If the defect is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissue and a decrease in tissue elasticity, you can try to remove the bags without surgery. Hardware techniques will tighten the sagging skin under the eyes, restore lymph flow and trophism, and increase the density and elasticity of the dermis.

So, what cosmetic manipulations can eliminate bags under the eyes:

• Microcurrent therapy.  Eliminates bags and swelling by improving blood circulation.
• Lymphatic drainage.  Stimulates the outflow of lymph.
• Infrared laser.  It restores firmness and elasticity to the skin.
• RF lifting.  Helps to tighten fabrics and flatten bags.
• Mesotherapy.  Injections into the infraorbital area stimulate trophism and accelerate regeneration.

To get rid of age-related swellings for sure and for a long time, cosmetologists advise to make a thread lift under the eyes. The procedure supports soft tissues and removes bags perfectly. Thermolifting copes well with sufas (paint bags).

Medicines

You can treat bags under the eyes with diuretics. True, this is not the best way to deal with the problem, but if you need to remove excess water from the body, medications are best suited.

Of the diuretic drugs for bags under the eyes, the most effective are:

• Cyclomethiazide.
• Hypothiazide.
• Veroshpiron.
• Triamterene.
• Spironolactone.

If the cause of the swelling of the lower eyelids is an allergic reaction, antihistamine pills will help out. They will help remove puffiness under the eyes in the morning, prevent the appearance of bags when exposed to provoking factors and, in addition, relieve other symptoms of ailment. Telfast, Zodak, Claritin, Suprastin save well from skin swelling.

Masks

All kinds of masks give an excellent effect on swelling under the eyes. They are convenient to use at home, the procedure does not take much time and allows you to remove bags, dark circles, skin pigmentation.

A mixture of dill greens helps a lot from bags. The grass is chopped, mixed with a spoonful of sour cream and applied under the eyes. Withstand 10-15 minutes, wash off with cool water.

Before an important event or photo session, you can apply a mask of chilled and well-whipped protein with a pinch of salt to the infraorbital area. The skin is preliminarily lubricated with cream, then several layers of tightening composition are applied and left to dry.

And finally, the best remedy that can remove morning swelling and bags in 10 minutes is a gel mask. With it, you can take an extra half hour nap, just before use you need to cool it.

External remedies

Correctly selected creams and gels will save you from small bags caused by fluid accumulation. They should include B vitamins, caffeine, cornflower, cucumber or chamomile extract, bisabolol, green tea and other substances that have a decongestant effect.

The following cosmetics help well against edema and bags:

• Eye Cream with Vit. К & Matrixyl (New Youth).
• Anti-Puffiness Smoothing Active Eye Contour Gel (Academie).
• Eye Creams Coffee Beans (Original).
• Roller Lift Intense (Belita-Viteks).

From budget funds, bags and puffiness under the eyes of a cream with caffeine are well removed: Delicate soufflé from TM ChocoLatte, Caffeine gel roller from Garnier, eyelid gel from TM Zelenaya Pharmacy.

Many women, in the fight against bags, resort to pharmaceutical ointments with venotonic and decongestant effects: Troxerutin, Lyoton, Dioptigel, Troxevasin. You can use such drugs, but with great care. They are not intended for the delicate skin of the eyes, therefore they can cause severe allergies.

Plasters and patches

The first remedy for morning bags under the eyes is chilled patches. It is best to apply them immediately after sleep, after washing with warm water. Warmed and relaxed skin better perceives the effect of medicinal components.

Cosmetologists believe that patches of South Korean production should be used for bags in the infraorbital area. As a rule, they act faster and more efficiently than European ones.

Among the huge assortment of Asian eye products, you can choose the following products:

• Gel Eye Patch от Konad.
• Eye Zone Mask от Purederm.
• Secret Key от Gold Racoony.
• Petitfee от Gold&Snail.
• Bird’s Nest Aqua Eye Patch от SNP.

It is recommended to add one more effective remedy for bags to the list of patches – Extraplast Beauty patch. It is indispensable in situations where you need to quickly return shine and freshness to your eyes.

Folk remedies

Recipes of traditional medicine are also considered to be effective ways to help remove bags under the eyes. They help no less effectively than purchased products, but at the same time they are cheaper and much more affordable.

To eliminate edema, it is recommended to use compresses from chamomile flowers, cornflower, mint, horsetail herb. One teaspoon of the selected raw material is brewed in half a glass of boiling water, insisted and thoroughly filtered. Cosmetic discs are moistened in the solution and applied to the eyes. Instead of herbs, you can use used tea bags that have been chilled in the freezer.

Applications made from raw potatoes will help to reduce bags and lighten the skin. The peeled root vegetable is rubbed on a fine (preferably plastic) grater, squeezed a little, mixed with starch and spread in a thick layer under the eyes. After 15 minutes, wash off and apply the cream.

Massage

An indispensable element in the fight against bags in the lower eyelid area is massage. The procedure is usually done in the morning, after applying creams or using decongestant patches under the eyes.

The massage should be performed with the third finger of the hand, gently tapping in the direction from the nose to the temples and back along the upper eyelid. You can lightly vibrate or stroke the skin, avoiding strong pressure and tissue stretching. To reduce swelling and edema, 3-5 minutes of massage is enough.

Gymnastics

For the prevention and treatment of bags in the periorbital area, it is recommended to perform eye exercises. It should be done every day for 10-15 minutes. Correctly selected exercises will improve blood circulation and lymph flow, save you from fatigue, and tighten sagging skin. With the help of gymnastics, you can remove not only bags and swelling, but also get rid of age-related changes.

The main types of eye exercises:

• Turns and rotations of the eyeballs in different directions.
• Look at the tip of the nose, and then look at a very distant object. Instead of a nose, you can use a finger located at a distance of 20 cm from the eyes.
• Close your eyes tightly and with tension open your eyes as wide as possible or blink frequently.

At the end of the session, you need to cover your eyelids with your palms for 2-3 minutes and relax.

Is it possible to quickly get rid of bags under the eyes?

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If there is no time at all, but you need to look good, you can use several blitz methods to deal with swelling. Lotions from chilled milk remarkably eliminate puffiness under the eyes. In it, gauze tampons are moistened and placed on the bags. Keep for at least 20 minutes, periodically changing the warmed compresses to cold ones.

In the morning, bags under the eyes can be quickly removed with cosmetic ice. Infusion of herbs, diluted berry juice or milk is poured into molds and frozen in a refrigerator. The skin around the eyes is rubbed with ready-made ice, then a light massage is done and a cream is applied.

Another unusual way that you can quickly get rid of bags in almost any situation is metal spoons that need to be cooled and applied to the skin under the eyes. Repeat the procedure several times. The method is good for its simplicity and versatility.

Liquid patches Ice eyes baby from Organic kitchen will help to instantly remove bags and “restore” eyes after sleep. The Korean product perfectly refreshes and tightens puffy skin, restoring a rested and radiant appearance. The tool is convenient because nothing falls off the face; during the procedure, you can safely bend over and do household chores.

Swelling under the eyes in itself does not bring discomfort and only worsen the appearance, making the face gloomy and tired. And it’s good if the reason for the bags is a banal lack of sleep or overwork. But when swelling develops as a symptom of an illness, the consequences can be very serious. Therefore, you should not ignore this drawback and continue to fight it yourself. It is better to see a doctor and find out what is the cause of the bags under the eyes.

Useful video about bags under the eyes

List of sources:

• Bags under the eyes. Home methods of fighting for beauty / Burov M.M.// Phoenix, 2011.
• 365 health recipes from the best healers / Lyudmila Mikhailova // Tsentrpoligraf, 2011.
• Aesthetic blepharoplasty / Vissarionov Vladimir Alekseevich, Obrubov Sergey Anatolyevich // Medicine, 2006.