Symptom

Bags under eyes

Bags under the eyes are a common cosmetic concern and usually harmless. Find out what causes them, how to reduce their appearance, and when to get advice.

What are bags under eyes?

This common cosmetic concern shows up as mild swelling or puffiness sitting just below your lower eyelids. It develops because the skin in this area is especially thin and delicate, so changes in fluid, fat or skin structure show up more easily than elsewhere on your face.

What causes bags under eyes?

A mix of ageing, fluid retention and everyday habits is usually behind this, though genetics plays a big part too.

Getting older is a major factor – your body produces less collagen and elastin over time, so the structures holding your eyelids in place gradually lose their strength. This lets the fat that normally cushions your eyes shift forward, creating a puffy look, while thinner skin also makes the blood vessels underneath more visible.

If bags run in your family, you may notice them from a young age, since inherited traits can affect your skin thickness, bone structure and how fat is distributed around your eyes.

Several everyday factors can make bags more noticeable:

  • a poor night's sleep, which leaves you retaining fluid and slows your circulation
  • eating a lot of salty food, or drinking too much alcohol, both of which encourage your body to hold onto fluid
  • going without enough fluids, which can leave your eyes looking dull and sunken
  • allergies, which trigger swelling and inflammation around your eyes
  • smoking, which breaks down collagen and can make blood vessels more visible
  • time in the sun without protection, which weakens the skin's supportive fibres
  • hormonal changes linked to your period, pregnancy or menopause, which can cause your body to hold onto more fluid.

Less often, bags under your eyes are linked to an underlying medical condition, such as a thyroid or kidney problem, so it's worth mentioning any concerns to your GP.

How can you treat bags under eyes?

Most bags under the eyes can be improved with simple changes at home, though more persistent cases sometimes call for a clinical treatment.

At home, you could try the following:

  • Hold something cold against the area for several minutes: You could use a cooled metal spoon, slices of cucumber, or a flannel wrung out in cold water, to narrow the blood vessels and calm swelling
  • Get a solid 7 to 9 hours of rest each night: And prop your head up a little higher than usual, to stop fluid settling around your eyes while you sleep
  • Limit salt and cut down on alcohol: Since both encourage your body to hold onto fluid – you should have no more than 6g of salt daily (2.4g sodium, roughly one teaspoon)
  • Drink roughly 8 glasses of fluid a day: Being short on fluids can leave your eyes looking more sunken and puffy
  • Treat any allergies with antihistamines: Steer clear of your triggers where you can
  • Wear sunscreen and sunglasses: Since UV exposure weakens the skin's supportive fibres
  • Use concealer: This can help to cover shadows while you work on the underlying cause.

If home measures do not make enough difference, options your doctor may discuss with you include:

  • fillers, to restore lost volume under your eyes
  • laser resurfacing, to tighten the skin and improve its tone
  • chemical peels, to fade discolouration and refine the texture of your skin
  • microneedling, to stimulate collagen production
  • blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure that removes or repositions fat and excess skin from around your eyes.

When should you see a doctor?

Get the swelling checked by your doctor or ophthalmologist if it hurts, feels itchy, looks red, or simply will not clear up. It's also worth getting advice if you're concerned about how the area beneath your eyes looks, or if you suspect a condition such as a thyroid or kidney problem could be behind it.

FAQs

  • Can bags under the eyes be a sign of something more serious?

    Usually not. Bags under your eyes are typically harmless, but occasionally, they can be linked to a medical condition such as a thyroid or kidney problem, so mention any concerns to your GP.

  • Can I make bags under my eyes disappear permanently?

    That depends on the cause. If yours are genetic, natural remedies and skincare are unlikely to clear them completely, though procedures such as blepharoplasty can offer a longer-lasting result where fat shifting under the eye is to blame.

  • Do cold compresses actually help?

    Yes. Cold makes the nearby blood vessels narrower, which eases swelling and puffiness for a short while. A cooled spoon, slices of cucumber, or a cold, wrung-out flannel all work on the same principle.

  • What's the difference between bags, dark circles and sunken eyes?

    Bags under your eyes involve puffiness or swelling, while dark circles are more about discolouration from pigmentation or visible blood vessels. Sunken eyes look hollow, usually from volume loss or dehydration, rather than swollen.

  • Can what I eat and drink make a difference?

    Yes. Too much salt or alcohol can make your body hold onto fluid and worsen puffiness, while going short on fluids can leave your eyes looking dull and sunken. Plenty of antioxidant-rich foods can also support healthier-looking skin.