Under-eye bags have been with us since the beginning of time and they are one of the first facial irregularities people see. They make the face look old and tired. No matter how much sleep one gets, they never seem to disappear. Make-up helps a bit but the original underlying problem is still there.
What Causes Under-Eye Bags?
There are many causes of under-eye bags, and they include:
- Genetic makeup
- Weak eye muscles
- Shifting fat in the orbital rim
- Protruding fat which causes contour changes
- Excess skin due to lack of elasticity
How Can Under-Eye Bags Be Removed?
While at-home remedies like cold compresses might help to some degree, a lower blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is the way to get rid of those unsightly bags for good. During the procedure, skin and fat are removed and the surrounding muscles maybe tightened. In the past, plastic surgeons sometimes removed too much fat which resulted in an unnatural appearance. Techniques have since improved dramatically and facial plastic surgeons are able to improve the correct amount of fat removed and also transferred so the eye area is left looking natural, refreshed and healthy. In some cases where patient’s under-eye bags are less severe, chemical peels might help to improve the skin tone and tighten the skin to some degree or possibly a filler, such as Restylane or Belotero may improve the hollow appearance.
After eyelid surgery, the patient must be careful not to put too much pressure when cleansing the delicate under-eye skin. Also, eye make-up should always be applied delicately. This should continue to be the regular regimen when cleansing or applying make-up. Damage is often caused by a too-heavy hand around the delicate skin surrounding the eye. Use the little finger when applying eye make-up.
If you wish to improve your appearance more after your blepharoplasty, your facial plastic surgeon might suggest a browlift, cheek augmentation or injectable fillers. Remember that the most important aspect of your procedure is to find a highly qualified and board-certified facial plastic surgeon to perform your blepharoplasty.
To learn more about treating under-eye bags, contact Dr. Williams of the Williams Center at (800) 742-2797. The Williams Center has two locations in Albany and Manhattan.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.