What Causes Permanent Under-Eye Bags?

The skin underneath the eyes is the thinnest skin on the body. This is why it is prone to many changes that can occur within your body, changing when you are tired, sick, or even sad. Puffy bags under the eyes are a common occurrence when you do not get enough sleep, or your eyes water profusely. But these usually go away in a few hours. If you have eye bags day after day, here are a few possible causes.

Lifestyle Choices

There are some substances that could increase your chance of under-eye bags. Diets including too much salt can increase fluid retention, leading to puffiness below the eyes. Those that smoke cigarettes or use nicotine products are prone to eye bags due to disrupted sleep. Not drinking enough water can cause dehydration, resulting in sagging skin under the eyes. Heavy alcohol use can also cause dehydration and result in eye bags.

Hereditary

Did your mom or dad have eye bags? Your genetics may have contributed to your eye bags. Some people have fragile skin under their eyes that loses firmness quicker than normal. If you are born with genes that affect the skin and fatty tissue under the eyes, you may have permanent eye bags that will not go away without cosmetic surgery.

Aging

The most common cause of permanent under-eye bags is aging. Your skin and facial tissues change as you get older. The skin under the eyes loses volume and firmness, allowing it to sag and droop. This is caused by loss of collagen and other factors such as sun damage over the years. The tissues under the eyes also lose volume, which reduces support for excessive skin. The stretching skin sags and creates fatty bags under the eyes, making you look old and tired.

Blepharoplasty for Permanent Eye Bags

The best way to get rid of eye bags for good is with plastic surgery. Blepharoplasty on the lower eyelids can fix sagging skin and fat that creates hanging bags under the eyes. This surgery is usually performed through a small incision inside the lower eyelid. Excess skin or fat is removed, and the under-eye area is tightened. If there is lost volume in the tear troughs or upper cheek area, fat grafting may be used to plump under the eyes to create the desired firmness for refreshed, youthful-appearing eyes.

Another option for eye bags is a non-surgical eyelid lift. This can be accomplished with a few different cosmetic treatments, from skin tightening procedures using lasers or thermal energy to facial filler injections that can plump the tear troughs and under-eye area.

If you have permanent eye bags that you want removed, there are procedures that can rejuvenate your under-eye area. Contact us at New You Plastic Surgery to schedule an eyelid lift consultation. Call our clinic in NYC to schedule your appointment.