Bags under the eyes have a way of making a person look old and tired, even when they are wide awake and alert, and cross and sullen when they’re perfectly happy. Age is the culprit behind the slackening of the skin and muscles of a person’s lower eyelid. When this happens, the fat around the eye begins to protrude more and more into the lower eyelid, which eventually results in bags. In addition, in some people, volume loss in the midface that occurs with age can create a low-lying area beneath the lower eyelid, called the tear trough, that makes the bags under the eyes appear more prominent. The good news is that there are ways to remedy this problem.
Surgical Treatment
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty:
Cosmetic surgery called lower eyelid blepharoplasty is an option to remove excess fat and tissue from the lower eyelid and restore a more alert and youthful appearance to the eyes.
If fat removal is all that’s necessary, then Dr. Boggess makes an incision on the inside of the patient’s eyelid and removes the excess fat. If skin and muscle need to be tightened, the incision is made on the outside of the eyelid below the patient’s lash line, to allow removal of redundant skin and muscle. The patient can opt for local anesthesia or light sedation, and the operation lasts about 45 minutes. The inevitable bruising or swelling are usually gone within one to two weeks, and most blepharoplasty patients can return to their usual activities within a week of the surgery.
Autologous Fat Transfer
Addition of volume to the tear trough and cheek using autologous fat can enhance the results of lower eyelid blepharoplasty by diminishing the depth of the tear trough valley under the eyes.
This procedure is performed using the patient’s own fat to fill low-lying areas in the midface. The fat is typically harvested from the patient’s lower belly area using liposuction. The fat cells are then isolated, prepared, and injected into the face using small cannulas for restoration of midface volume.
Non-invasive Techniques
Dr. Boggess recommends these topical products.
Olluminate
Olluminate® Intense Eye Repair is a formula that helps to soften the look of wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes. It works through optical light diffusers such as mica and titanium dioxide and ingredients such as retinol, Matrixyl 3000 that stimulate the body to renew the upper layers of the skin and produce collagen. MDI complex keeps the skin around the eyes hydrated and prevents enzymes from breaking down collagen. Lavender and fruit extract serve as emollients to soothe and protect the skin.
Apply Olluminate in the morning and evening by patting it under the eyes and around the eye sockets until it’s absorbed.
Hydrafirm
Hydrafirm™ Eye Brightening Repair Crème reduces the dark circles around the eyes, fine lines, puffiness and other signs of aging. It contains ingredients such as retinol, which helps the body produce springy collagen, which further reduces the look of fine lines. Kocic dipalmitate helps to lighten dark circles and ingredients such as coenzyme A, carnitine, saccharomyces lysate extract and caffeine support the circulation around the eyes, which reduces puffiness. Other ingredients replenish moisture to the eye area while Arnica montana flower extract serves as an emollient and antioxidant that protects the delicate skin of the eye from sun damage.
Hydrafirm is best used in the morning and evening. Gently pat the formula under the eyes and around the eye socket until it’s absorbed.
Tired of looking tired? Contact Dr. Boggess to learn more about treating the bags under your eyes.
