If you’re Googling, “how to get rid of under eye bags” then you know the struggle of constantly looking tired, even if you aren’t! Bags under the eyes can make you look older, more tired, and in need of revitalization. Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic options to rejuvenate your eyes at Southlake Plastic Surgery!
At Southlake, we understand that not everybody is the same. We always customize our treatment plans for your unique anatomy, desired results, and lifestyle. That’s why we’ve put together a list of ways, both surgical and non-surgical, that you can combat signs of aging around the eyes.
So if you want to learn how to get rid of under eye bags once and for all, keep reading to learn more.
Why do we get bags under our eyes?
If you really stop to think about why we get bags under our eyes, it makes perfect sense.
Our skin is made up of a bunch of different proteins and fats, and two of the most abundant are collagen and elastin. Collagen works like a framework for the elastin to fill in, and together they are responsible for keeping the skin firm, tight, and smooth.
As we age, we naturally produce less and less of these proteins. The skin begins to sag and droop as the framework degrades. These signs of aging outwardly manifest as fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity or sagging, and hollow areas.
The skin of the under eyes is particularly sensitive, and as the collagen breaks down there, skin sags and droops, creating the dreaded bags under the eyes. The skin also becomes thinner as it stretches, which shows off the capillaries under the skin better. That’s what gives under eye bags that harsh bruised look.
Luckily, there are many ways to correct this issue.
How to get rid of under eye bags
Surgical | Eyelid surgery
Eyelid surgery, known also by the harder-to-pronounce name blepharoplasty, achieves stunning results.
There are two types of eyelid surgery: an upper blepharoplasty and a lower blepharoplasty. The upper works to correct sagging of the skin on the top of the eyelid. This can correct hooded eyes. A lower blepharoplasty is how to get rid of under eye bags.
At Southlake Plastic Surgery, we perform upper, lower, or both during the same surgery. We also sometimes perform blepharoplasty during a full or partial facelift.
How it works:
Your surgeon makes a very small incision on either the upper or lower eyelid, depending on the type of blepharoplasty. We then strategically remove excess fat and skin. During the surgery, you will be under general anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain.
Sometimes, under eye bags are caused by an excessively large fat pad underneath the eye. If that is the cause of your under eye bags, we can surgically remove them during a lower blepharoplasty.
What eyelid surgery treats:
- Excess skin on lower eyelids
- Wrinkles on lower eyelids
- Bags under the eyes
- Eyelid droopiness
- Puffiness under the eyes
- Creases and folds under the eye
Recovery:
Blepharoplasty recovery time is minimal. There is very little post-operative discomfort associated with eyelid surgery at Southlake Plastic Surgery. You can expect minimal swelling and bruising for the first 5 to 6 days after surgery. After 1 to 2 weeks, you can begin wearing makeup and contacts again. In 2 to 3 weeks, you may resume all normal activities.
Results:
Because we remove excess sagging skin, you can expect an overall more youthful appearance in the eyes!
Non-Surgical | Filler
Dermal fillers are safe and effective at filling in lost volume, especially in the face. All of the dermal fillers we use at Southlake Plastic Surgery are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the body, and produce natural and long-lasting results.
We can use dermal fillers to fill in the lost volume under the eyes, which reduces the appearance of under eye bags and helps create a more youthful, bright, and revitalized appearance overall!
How dermal filler works:
First, you and your expertly trained injector will discuss the necessary amount of dermal fillers. We customize our treatments to suit your individual needs, so we’ll also discuss which filler to use. We offer more than 10 types of dermal filler, each with individual benefits. Once we decide which and how much filler will give you the best results, we’ll mark the treatment area.
Then, your injector will strategically treat the area with the filler to achieve the desired results. You may feel a slight pinch at the injection site, but typically patients report very little to any discomfort during the procedure.
What filler treats:
Dermal fillers are an incredibly versatile treatment at Southlake Plastic Surgery. Along with remedying droopy under eye bags, dermal fillers can treat:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Thin or aging lips
- Aging hands
- Volume loss in the cheeks
- Sagging skin in the face and neck
- Creases and folds under the eyes
- And more!
Recovery:
Dermal fillers require absolutely no downtime. Treatment typically takes less than 20 minutes, and you can immediately resume all normal activities!
Results:
The results of dermal fillers are a subtle, natural-looking enhancement that lasts up to a year!
Microneedling
Microneedling has long been used to induce collagen growth on a cellular level. At Southlake Plastic Surgery, we can use it under the eyes as a way to revitalize the under eyes and combat dark circles and eye bags.
How microneedling works:
We use the advanced technology of SkinPen® to create tiny micro-wounds on the treatment area. This process tells the body to speed up the production of collagen, which results in smoother, tighter, firmer skin. For the under eye area, this causes under eye bags to tighten up and gives you a youthful appearance.
We also offer microneedling with PRP at our practice. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) comes from your own blood, and we use it to revitalize and restore lost volume. When we perform a SkinPen microneedling treatment on your under eyes, we can also apply PRP on the treatment area. It will sink into the micro wounds we’ve created and stimulate cell regeneration.
What microneedling treats:
- Scars
- Uneven texture
- Skin laxity or sagging skin
- Under eye bags
- Dark circles
- Hyperpigmentation
- Fine lines and wrinkles
Recovery:
Very little if any downtime is required with microneedling treatments for the under eyes! You can enjoy the benefits of this treatment without a long recovery period.
Results:
Enjoy smoother and stronger skin in the under eyes. This will help tackle under eye bags and dark circles.
Laser treatments for under eye bags
If you’ve heard about laser treatments, you know that they can do absolute wonders for the skin. But did you know we can use a Profractional laser and Halo laser as a way to treat under eye bags and dark circles?
Laser treatments use heat and light energy to stimulate collagen growth deep within the layers of the skin. When we use this technology on the under eyes, we can effectively tighten up the sagging skin and eliminate the appearance of under eye bags for years to come!
How laser for under eye bags works:
For both the Profractional and the Halo laser treatment, we use a topical numbing agent on the treatment area to avoid any discomfort during the procedure. We also use a plastic eye shield during the treatment to keep your eyes safe and sound.
Your aesthetician will use the laser handpiece to deliver the energy deep into the skin. This treatment is a fantastic way to supplement a facelift or to simply revitalize and “open up” the face.
What it treats:
- Under eye bags
- Dark circles
- Redness and pigmentation
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Creases and folds under the eye
Additionally, when we use these treatments on other areas of the face, we see an improvement in:
- Scarring
- Acne
- Poor texture
- Sun spots or age spots
- Rosacea
- Large pores
- Melasma
Recovery:
We can customize the depth of the treatment to accommodate your capacity for downtime. However, the Profractional laser and Halo laser both typically require 1 to 2 days of downtime to allow your skin to heal and recover.
Results:
Once the skin recovers, your body will continue to produce collagen output for months to come. You’ll see the disappearance of dark circles and under eye bags for the long-run!
Medical-grade skin care
Another option for total eye rejuvenation is to use medical grade skincare products designed to lift, brighten, and enhance your eyes.
How it works:
Medical-grade skincare products work better than over-the-counter ones for many reasons. First, they are specially formulated and clinically proven to make changes to your skin on a cellular level.
Second, they are FDA-approved to include a higher percentage of active ingredients, making them more potent and effective.
In order to combat dark circles, eye bags, and fine lines around the eyes, we recommend our BrightEye-AM and Bright-Eye PM products! These lovely products use a combination of powerful ingredients to reinvigorate the skin around your eyes, including:
- Skin brighteners
- Green tea
- Caffeine
- Antioxidant vitamins C and E
- Ferulic acid ester
- Peptides
- Retinoid ester Hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR)
- Growth factor Kinetin
How to get rid of under eye bags | Surgical vs non-surgical
There is no right or wrong way to answer the question of how to get rid of under eye bags. However, there are treatments that can work best for you as an individual.
For example, some patients swear by dermal fillers for their under eye rejuvenation, while others tend to look for under eye treatments without fillers.
During your initial consultation, we’ll have a conversation about whether to choose the surgical or non-surgical option for revitalizing the eyes.
We’ll discuss factors such as downtime, desired results, and your lifestyle, and this will help us determine a recommendation for your treatment.
You should consider surgery if you are ready for dramatic, quick results, and have the capacity for some downtime.
You should consider a non-surgical route if you are prepared for a few treatment sessions, but have less time for a recovery period.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about how to get rid of under eye bags in Southlake
We begin each and every one of our surgical or nonsurgical procedures with an in-depth consultation. During this appointment, we discuss your aesthetic goals, desired results, and treatment details, which allows us to tailor our treatment plans based on your unique needs. If you really want to know how to get rid of under eye bags in the best way possible for you, schedule a consultation with us!
Southlake Plastic Surgery is proud to serve Southlake and the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with excellent patient care and state-of-the-art technology. We are your go-to destination for any and all medical aesthetic and cosmetic surgery needs. To learn more about our practice, visit our website!
