As people age, it’s very common to develop bags or dark circles under the eyes that just won’t go away. Even some of our younger patients have this problem, because genetics can cause under-eye bags and dark circles to develop earlier in some people than in others. Many of our patients are tired of hearing their friends say, “You look so tired! Are you okay?”, when they’re actually taking great care of themselves and are resting plenty.
Fortunately, although you may be among those who are genetically predisposed to develop this problem, you don’t just have to live with it. If you’re frustrated by bags or dark circles under your eyes and you want to look younger and more energetic again, there are a few different options, ranging from minimally invasive to surgical options.
What causes bags and dark circles?
There are a few potential causes of these problems, but they’re very commonly a part of the natural aging process.
There are fat pads located in the lower eyelids. As people age, the support for these fat pads grows thinner. They tend to migrate downward, creating an area of puffiness in the area below the eye. In addition to this, people tend to lose fat tissue in the cheeks. As the cheeks become more hollow, the appearance of bags under the eye tends to be increased, because of the contrast between the cheeks and the undereye area.
As a result of aging, the skin also thins as collagen (the protein that supports the skin) is lost. For some people, especially those of a lighter skin tone, the thinning of the skin can cause the blood vessels beneath the eyes to show through, which creates the appearance of dark circles. In some cases, loss of tissue and consequent hollowing also occurs beneath the eyes; the shadows that result can create the appearance of dark circles.
There are also other causes of undereye dark circles and bags. For example, allergies are a very common cause. Increased blood flow into the eye area causes swelling and puffiness, and also causes the veins to fill up, which can be seen as a dark area beneath the eye. Treatment with medications can make a big difference in the appearance of dark circles for allergy sufferers. Please discuss this with your primary care physician if you believe that this may be an issue for you.
Blepharoplasty can offer dramatic and lasting results
The most permanent and dramatic results will be achieved through a procedure known as lower lid blepharoplasty. The procedure is custom-designed for each patient. When possible, Dr. Caniglia prefers to make the incision inside of the lower lid, so that the scar will be completely invisible. The incision is made with a laser for precision. Dr. Caniglia then reshapes and repositions the three fat pads, in order to smooth out the area beneath the eye. It takes both skill and artistry to do this well, without creating a “hollowed-out” look by removing too much fat from the under-eye area. The results are permanent; the procedure won’t stop the clock, but it will set the clock back, meaning that you’ll always look younger and more energetic than if you hadn’t had the procedure.
Blepharoplasty can also address problems with the upper eyelids, such as sagging or drooping lids. If this area is also a concern for you, make sure to discuss it with your plastic surgeon at your consultation appointment.
Are there any non-surgical options?
Some people don’t have the time to commit to a surgical procedure and recovery, while others simply prefer to avoid having surgery. If that’s you, there are a few other options available. For some people, dermal fillers can be useful. These are usually placed in the cheek area, just below the bags. By filling in this area, the appearance of the bags is reduced. If there’s a hollow area in the tear trough, dermal fillers in this area can also be helpful. Most fillers are not permanent, so if you want to maintain your results, you will periodically need touch-up treatments.
Another option is to treat the skin of the undereye area. By tightening the skin and improving skin tone, puffiness and darkness of the undereye area can be reduced. This can be accomplished through techniques like laser resurfacing or chemical peels. In general, the best results will be achieved from a series of treatments, followed by periodic maintenance treatments.
Are you ready to get rid of your under-eye dark circles or bags?
Different treatment options are right for different people. To make the best decision about which option is right for you, you’ll need to come in for a personal consultation. It’s really not possible for a plastic surgeon to give good advice without seeing you in person, because it’s necessary to examine the area of concern in order to determine what the likely outcomes would be for the various options. If you want to learn more about your personal situation, please contact us to schedule your appointment with Dr. Caniglia.
After your procedure, your friends won’t be asking you why you look so tired anymore – instead, you might find them asking you how you always have so much energy!
