Treatments for Dark Circles and Bags under the Eyes

Whether due to chronic lack of sleep, illness, or aging, dark circles or bags under the eyes can make a person’s face appear tired and old. The eyes may also begin to look sunken in and hollowed out. Fortunately, there are now a variety of methods to reduce the appearance of dark circles and bags under the eyes.

What Can Cause Dark Circles or Bags Under the Eyes?

As the body ages, the delicate skin under the eyes may become thinner, dry out, lose elasticity, or change color. Much of this may be due to the body’s loss of collagen as it ages. Collagen is a protein that the body naturally produces. It fills out the skin over the bones, giving the face a round and full appearance. Loss of collagen may lead to loose or discolored skin under the eyes.

Skin Care Products

One of the easiest ways to hide dark circles and bags under the eyes is with the use of a concealer. The concealer should be high quality, safe for use under the eyes, and non-allergenic. The best way to test for allergies is to place a small amount of the concealer on the inside of the wrist or elbow. Wait 24 hours. If the skin becomes red or itchy, the concealer should not be used.

To use the concealer, dot a small amount under the eyes, and then blend well with either clean fingers or a makeup sponge. Use a color that is a shade lighter than the rest of the facial skin tone.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are designed to replace the body’s natural collagen or hyaluronic acid that has been lost. The procedure involves a series of injections into the muscle under the skin at targeted areas. It is generally an outpatient procedure that lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Most patients can resume normal activities immediately. The two most common side effects from dermal fillers are swelling and bruising at the injection site. Use of cold compresses and the herb Arnica montana will help to reduce this.

Lower Lid Cosmetic Surgery

In some cases, cosmetic surgery on the lower eyelid may reduce the appearance of bags or dark circles under the eyes. In the eyelid surgery procedure, a small incision is made in the lower eyelid along the lash line. The skin and tissue are then lifted up and tightened, to remove excess skin folds and redistribute fat that creates the effect of bags under the eyes. This procedure generally takes from one to two hours, depending on the amount of work needed. Patients are sent home the same day and can generally resume normal activities within a week or two after surgery. Just as with the dermal fillers, the most common side effects are bruising and swelling. These can be reduced with cold compresses and Arnica montana.

Patients with dark circles or bags under the eyes may think that they will have to live with them. The truth is that there are a variety of options to minimize their appearance and restore the face to a more youthful appearance.

Contact Crawford Plastic Surgery for more information.