Under Eye Bags – How To Get Rid Of Them

Tired of people asking you if you’re tired? When you look in the mirror in the morning are you faced with bags or dark circles under your eyes? Or over the years, have your upper eyelids started to droop? There’s only so much you can do with makeup, and unless you’re a Kardashian, you probably can’t fully get rid of them. If there was something you could do to get rid of those bags and dark circles for good, wouldn’t you? Good news.

Look, there’s no reason to be embarrassed or insecure because you haven’t found a solution. Eye bags and under eye circles are extremely common and the causes are numerous. If you do have them and they bother you, medically they are typically harmless. But over time, sometimes the bags beneath or upper eyelid drooping can actually start to interfere with your vision. If this is the case, or if you just cosmetically want to do something to look bright-eyed once more, blepharoplasty might be the answer.

So, what causes bags under or above the eye?
As you age, or for other reasons, the tissue and muscles supporting your eyelids may weaken under time. As the skin begins to sag, fatty tissue around the eyes can move into that area. With the added fatty tissue, sometimes fluid can build up in those spaces making them look swollen. Aside from plain old aging, bags and swelling can be caused by fluid retention, poor sleep habits, allergies, smoking, kidney and thyroid disorders, dermatitis or simple genetics. Thanks mom!

Blepharo-what? What’s the solution for upper and lower eye bags?
Blepharoplasty, or “blephs” as we call it, is a surgical procedure during which a surgeon removes excess skin, fat and tissue from the upper and/or lower eyelids. If your upper eyelids are droopy, the surgeon makes a small incision along the fold of the eyelid, removes some of the skin, muscle and fat, then closes the incision. Because the cut is along the fold, as the incision heals, the successful blepharoplasty can often be virtually undetectable. If it’s your lower lid that is sagging or puffy, the surgeon may make a cut just below your lashes in the natural crease or just inside the lower lid to remove excess fat, muscle or sagging skin. Once the incision heals there will be a noticeable difference in the level of swelling and puffiness, and you may experience improved vision.

What to expect? Recovery and healing.
As one of the most common facial procedures, your blepharoplasty will be an out-patient procedure, but you will need someone to drive you to and from your surgery. After you wake from your procedure, your vision may be a bit blurry, but only because of an antibiotic ointment used to promote healing and to keep the surface of your eye and incisions from drying out. You’ll also receive a prescription for artificial tear drops. It’s recommended for the first 48 hours to use ice packs and sleep in a somewhat upright position to reduce swelling and fluid accumulation. Avoid strenuous activities and exercise so your incisions aren’t strained for at least a week and wear sunglasses to protect from sun and wind irritation. You may experience some bruising, which should subside within a couple of weeks. If you’ve had upper and lower blephs, which many patients get done together, it may take a little longer, but the freedom you’ll feel with your new look and improved vision will be worth the time and care.

Interested in learning more about blepharoplasty? Contact the Virginia Beach eye surgery experts at Beach Eye Care. Dr. Kanyinda and his team are happy to meet with you for a consultation to discuss how we can lead you down the path to better vision and a fresh, new look.