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 with under eye bags treatment.
Surgical Treatment
Lower Eyelid Surgery (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
Adding volume to the tear trough and cheek using fat transfer 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.
Nonsurgical Eye Rejuvenation Techniques
Nonsurgical, noninvasive, and minimally invasive alternatives to eyelid surgery can also help patients address minimal to moderate under eye concerns. For example, we may recommend laser skin resurfacing and/or specific medical-grade skin care products to help patients rejuvenate and regain their glow. Our line of ZO® Skin Health and ZO® Medical products treat a range of common skin disorders and concerns and provide your skin with ongoing protection and benefits. You can learn more about how these products help you preserve the results of your surgical treatment and benefit your daily skincare routine here.
Tired of looking tired? Take the Next Step!
If you’re ready to explore your options for under eye bags treatment, we encourage you to request a consultation online or contact us at (615) 942-8016 to speak one-on-one with with Dr. Boggess.
