The best way to reduce them long-term is to make certain lifestyle changes. Drinking more water and applying a cold compress can help shrink eye bags quickly, but these are not long-term remedies. This is especially true if your eye bags and dark circles are genetically inherited.
Bags under eyes are caused when the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken. The skin may start to sag, and fat that's usually around the eye can move into the area below your eyes. Also, the space below your eyes can gather fluid, making the area look puffy or swollen.
Cold compresses: Cooling the area lessens inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow. You can place anything cold, such as an ice pack, frozen bag of vegetables, chilled cucumber slices or refrigerated spoons, over closed eyes for a few minutes.
Bagginess under the eyes may also be due to genetics, and in these cases, are difficult to resolve and may be more permanent. They may appear almost overnight, may develop over time, and may stay for as long as the underlying cause is unresolved.
Get enough sleep. Being well-rested can help reduce swelling around your eyes. Try sticking to a low-sodium diet. Salt induces your body to retain water, which can cause bags and puffiness.
Dark circles under the eyes may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia . In those cases, an iron supplement may be helpful to normalize blood levels.
In other words, sleep deprivation causes dark circles. It can also cause eye bags, which is the puffy, swollen appearance of the under-eye area. This can occur when fluids leak into the skin. Research indicates that dark circles and puffy eyes aren't the only cosmetic consequences of lack of sleep.
Stress levels affect the cortisol levels which, in turn, increase the appearance and intensity of puffiness and bags under the eyes. “That is also why those with high stress levels experience acne,” Dr. Sandy notes. Meditation is one approach to reduce stress, as is exercise.
Dehydration. Dehydration, alcohol, or too much salt all cause the tissues under the eye to look loose and take on a sagging appearance. Drinking water can plump the tissues back up, making them look smoother and more attractive.
What Causes Bags Under the Eyes? Lack of eyelid fat, constricted blood vessels, and thin skin are some of the causes of bags under the eyes. These reasons are impacted by lack of sleep, stress, poor diet, smoking, fluid retention, allergies, and genetics. Bags under the eyes can be hereditary.
As you age, muscles and tissues weaken, and the fat that naturally supports the eyes can sink to the area beneath your eyes, making them appear swollen. Fluids can also collect in the area.
Sleeping facedown gradually causes fluid and fat to move to your lower lids. To prevent gravity from taking over, sleep face-up to avoid fluid build-up. Consider supporting your head with an extra pillow as well—so long as it doesn't prevent you from getting a good night's sleep.
Cucumber slices can also help soothe puffy eyes and reduce swelling. Take a cucumber from your fridge, give it a wash, and cut off two 1/4-inch slices. You can save the rest of the cucumber for snacking. Lie back and keep the slices on your eyelids until they're no longer cool.
Caffeine and carbonated drinks
Even though coffee and tea are a need for many of us, caffeine is directly associated with causing puffy eyes.
Tea contains tannin which acts as a mild diuretic and helps to get rid of puffy eyes. This has been used as a natural remedy for years by our grandmothers and mothers.
“Caffeine is soothing, anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive, which can decrease redness and puffiness,” explains certified clinical and research dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf. By narrowing blood vessels and calming skin, caffeine can temporarily reduce under-eye bags.
Cold spoons
A cold spoon will help relax the blood vessels around the eyes thus reducing puffiness. All you have to do is put 2 spoons in the fridge for around half an hour, and then place their backs on the affected area for about 10 minutes.
Placing a cold compress over the affected eye or eyes for 15 minutes can reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Cold compress: Cold compresses can help in reducing the swelling and shrink dilated blood vessels. Applying cold compress can also be helpful in reducing puffiness caused by dark circles. All you need to do is wrap ice cubes in a washed cloth and rub it around the eyes.
Use a Cold Compress for Eye Swelling and Redness
Swelling in the eye area due to an infection, black eye or another type of injury can also be reduced by applying a cold compress, as cold temperatures numb pain and minimize swelling. Cold temperatures can also help minimize puffiness in the eyelids.