Eye bags can form under the eyes after a good cry or may be when people stay awake late at night. The eye bags can look swollen and puffy for some, while for others they are nothing but rolls of excessive skin under the eyes.
Usually, they are temporary and one automatically recovers back to normal in a few hours or so. However, sometimes, they last longer and may even become a permanent facial feature. In fact, one might need eye bag surgery to get rid of them for good.
Even though these eye bags aren’t something one should be worried about, they can make people feel self-conscious about their appearance. Heavy eye bags may also reflect unhealthy habits which should be changed if one wishes to get rid of them or to avoid eye bag formation in the first place.
It is advisable to consult a plastic surgeon for eye bag removal in Singapore if the eye bags have become permanent.
What Causes Eye Bags To Form Under The Eyes?
Aging is, probably, the number one cause of eye bag formation under the eyes. With age, people start to lose fat padding and collagen – the main component of the connective tissues found in muscles, skin, and other parts of the body.
Due to the reduced collagen levels, the skin and its underlying muscles start losing elasticity and become ill-toned. The sagging skin can be noticed particularly around the eyes as that’s where the skin is probably the thinnest.
There can be various other factors contributing towards the formation of eye bags such as fluid retention, thyroid disease, allergies, infections, eye fatigue, stress, smoking, etc.
Here are some more common causes of eye bags formation.
1. Sleep Problems
Poor sleeping habits can lead to weakened muscles around the eyes. Sleep deprivation can also result in collagen loss from the skin under the eyes. Due to this, fluid starts collecting in that area and it swells up, forming eye bags. Usually, the swelling lasts for around 24 hours but can become a permanent facial feature if an individual doesn’t have enough sleep regularly.
2. Allergies Or Sinus Issues
Allergies don’t just stuff up the nose, but can also result in swelling in the sinus tissue. This often shows up in the form of puffiness under the eyes.
3. Tobacco Use
Tobacco contains nicotine which disrupts one’s natural sleeping patterns and can cause the fluids to accumulate beneath the eyes. Besides, smoking is also known to produce substances which cause loss of collagen and skin elasticity.
4. Alcohol Use
Alcohol is known to dehydrate the human body despite it being a liquid. This dehydration causes the skin below the eyes to become weakened and flabby. As a result, eye bags start forming under the eyes.
5. Consuming Salty Foods
Consuming too much sodium or salt can cause the human body to start retaining water. The excess water results in puffiness in the body and the face. This type of puffiness is more likely to show up on the skin around the eyes which is usually thinner than other parts of the face and, hence, more prone to swelling. The body naturally eliminates any excess water and the eye area is de-puffed within a few hours.
6. Sleeping With Makeup
Not removing makeup before going to bed is also a cause of eye bag formation. This usually happens because of the irritation caused by makeup to the tissue under the eyes which eventually swells up to form the eye bags.
7. Heredity
Eye bags can also be a common observation among certain family members since it can be due to genetics. Hence, if one of the parents has eye bag condition, the kids may inherit it and have them too.
Common Remedies To Try Before Undergoing Eye Bag Surgery
Before any remedy or eye bag surgery could be recommended, it is really important to determine the underlying cause. For instance, if the eye bags are hereditary or come with age, plastic surgery could be the right choice to get rid of them.
However, if the eye bags are due to underlying health problems or environmental issues, some common lifestyle changes or skincare products may be effective in eliminating them.
Before choosing a surgical option or treatment with an eye bag removal specialist in Singapore, one can consider trying out the following home remedies and lifestyle adjustments.
- Get enough sleep every day. On average, one should get 8 hours of sleep daily.
- Keep the head elevated while sleeping as it prevents any fluids from accumulating around the eye area.
- Sit upright and put a cool, damp washcloth over the eyes as a compress. Another alternative is to use fresh cucumber slices for soothing and relieving swelling around the eye.
- Try not to have fluids before going to bed. Avoid salty foods throughout the day as well.
- Avoid triggers and take over-the-counter or prescription medicines to alleviate any allergy symptoms.
What other options are available?
Hemorrhoid creams are often recommended as a home remedy to treat eye bags. These creams carry phenylephrine that is known to have a constricting effect on the blood vessels. Therefore, these creams can tighten the skin beneath the eyes temporarily causing the eye bags to become less noticeable.
Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking also helps to avoid negative effects on skin. When one quits smoking, it reduces the free radicals in the body. That helps the skin to preserve its natural collagen and slows down the loss of skin elasticity which in turn, avoids formation of eye bags.
Skin therapies and wrinkle treatments have also been designed for tightening the skin beneath the eyes and helps with reducing puffiness.
Dream’s Surgery Method To Remove Eye Bags
Dream Plastic Surgery is the only authentic Korean Plastic Surgery Clinic in Singapore. At Dream, patients undergo a personalized assessment before they are recommended one of the few eye bag removal surgery techniques available for consideration.
When it comes to eye bag removal surgery, there are two common methods performed by the plastic surgeons at Dream. Below are more details about both surgery techniques.
1. Transconjunctival Eye Bag Removal
This surgery method removes fat tissue through the inner part of lower eyelids and does not leave any visible scars. This technique is suitable for:
- Newly formed eye bags
- Mild-to-moderate puffiness
- Individuals with no excess skin under their eyes
- Younger patients who has good skin elasticity
The Surgery Method
After administering the anesthesia, the surgeon makes a minor incision of around 1-1.5 cm on the inside of the patient’s eyelid. Once the incision has been made, enough fat is removed permanently to debulk the under-eye area, and that helps to restore a smooth contour on the lower eyelid. The minor incision is stitched up on the inner eyelids, leaving no visible stitches on the face.
With the incision hidden on the inner eyelids, patients are able to apply makeup sooner compared to other eye bag surgery techniques. Bruising and swelling is common and will disappear in a few days.
The Advantages of Transconjunctival Eye Bag Removal
- No visible scars
- Better preservation of the natural eye shape
- Quick recovery times
- Reduced swelling and bruising
- Less trauma
2. Incisional Eye Bag Removal
Generally, this method is recommended for individuals with more severe eye bag conditions. The technique is suitable for:
- Dark circles that can’t be concealed with makeup
- Moderate puffiness
- Individuals with excess skin and wrinkles
- Individuals who need skin tightening
The Surgery Method
The surgeon makes an incision along the lash line. After making the incision, any excess fat and skin is removed to get rid of the eye bags. The surgeon then stitches the incision and ensures that the scars are well-hidden along the lash line and are least noticeable after healing.
The Advantages of Incisional Eye Bag Removal
- Removal of excess skin and the fat causing the bulge
- More effective skin tightening results which helps to achieve a smoother under-eye contour
- Addresses tear through depression issues more effectively
- Effective treatment of eye bag conditions of more serious nature
Eye Bag Surgery Recovery Time And Post Operative Care
For quick and seamless recovery, it is very important to follow the post-surgical instructions advised by the surgeon. Apply cold compresses regularly for around 48 hours to reduce discomfort and swelling. Use eye drops and prescription ointments as advised to prevent infection and promote healthy healing.
Some swelling and bruising should be expected in the days following the surgery. When going outdoors, the patients should use dark tinted sunglasses to protect their eyes and the healing skin. Strenuous physical workouts should be avoided completely for the first two to three weeks after surgery.
In most cases, patients experience a significant decrease in bruising and swelling during the initial 10-14 days after their eye bag surgery. After that, the patients should be able to resume their regular activities. If there is pain or any unusual symptoms showing up after the surgery, it is advisable to consult the doctor immediately.
Consult a board certified plastic surgeon for your eye bag concerns
At Dream Plastic Surgery Singapore, we understand that no two patients are alike. We are happy to do a personalized assessment and recommend the ideal eye bag surgery technique to help you get rid of your eye bag concerns.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
