Excess Baggage: 4 Tips to Prevent Bags under Your Eyes

Do you have some “excess baggage” under your eyes? Whether you’re a guy or a girl, having bags under your eyes can have an unsightly effect on your appearance. So, what causes the bags and dark circles? And is there any way to hide them, or even get rid of them for good? Keep reading for the answers.

The skin around your eyes is often the first part of the face to show visible signs of aging. But those bags and dark circles can also be brought about by stress caused by personal obligations or too many late nights at the office, as well as a lack of sleep. Allergies and hay fever may also play a role.

Contrary to popular belief, eye bags are not caused by a collection of water, and the application of eye creams will not help to improve the condition. Eye bags are the result of an accumulation of fat under the lower eyelid. The skin there is thin and does not have much supportive tissues. Any accumulation of fat, therefore, tends to be more prominent in that area.

The only way to remove eye bags permanently is to have a cosmetic surgery procedure called a blepharoplasty. As for fatty deposits, a doctor will be able to diagnose the condition as milia, sebaceous hyperplasia, enlarged glands or xanthelasma. Treatment depends on the diagnosis.

If you’d rather not go to such extreme measures to deal with your under-eye bags, try these suggestions:

Get more sleep. Eight hours of sleep a night is ideal for optimal health and the reduction of under-eye bags. Almost as important as the amount of sleep is the quality, so make sure your bedroom is kept at a comfortable temperature and that your windows are adequately soundproofed so outside noises don’t interrupt your slumber.

Improve your circulation. Illness or long periods of inactivity can lead to poor circulation—a major contributor to under-eye bags. Try to avoid sitting or lying down for long periods of time when you’re not trying to sleep at night. At your job, get up and walk around your office at least once an hour—and try to leave the premises for lunch as your busy schedule permits.

Avoid water retention. A poor diet—one rich in salty or spicy foods and too much alcohol—can cause the body to hold onto excess fluids and produce more pronounced under-eye bags. To combat this, drink lots of water to flush out your system.

Use high-quality concealer. Regular foundation won’t cover dark skin under your eyes, so invest in a thick concealer that can be applied on top of foundation and blended in with powder. This tip works for both men and women, just be sure to choose a concealer with natural ingredients.

If you suffer from a little excess baggage, don’t give up hope. With these tips on your side, you can become “bag-less.”