Undereye bags are common, and they affect both men and women of all ages. People attribute them to many inconsistencies in their lives – a lack of sleep, poor nutrition, aging – and often struggle to reduce their appearance. Fortunately, there are some proven ways to improve Undereye Bags, and even some ways to banish them altogether.

Ways to Reduce the Appearance of Undereye Bags Temporarily

If you’re carrying around some extra luggage under your eyes, but you’re not quite ready to visit a plastic surgeon, there are a few things you can do to help reduce their appearance, though only temporarily.

• Cucumber slices – You’ve seen it in the movies, and you’ve maybe even tried it yourself. Cucumber slices are the go-to remedy for women who want to reduce the appearance of undereye bags. It’s not just the coolness of the cucumber that does the trick, though – it’s the ascorbic and caffeic acid. They reduce water retention and make the skin around the eyes appear far less puffy.
• Cold spoons – Another ages-old trick involves putting spoons in the refrigerator for a few minutes, then placing the backs of the spoons over the eye area. The cold of the spoons can sometimes reduce natural swelling, but be careful with this trick as it can also create temporary (but very noticeable) redness.
• Caffeine Rollers – Caffeine is one of the best de-puffing agents available, and while it’s powerful in its own right, the effects are only temporary. Many well-known facial product companies may undereye serums and “rollers” that contain topical caffeine that can reduce the appearance of those bags. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels just under the skin, which can not only reduce swelling, but even skin tone, as well.

• Certain Topical Solutions – Finally, you can find a variety of topical solutions and creams targeted toward reducing undereye bags. They contain a bevy of different ingredients, but these ingredients typically either constrict blood vessels at the area of application or force retained fluid away from the area temporarily.

Another temporary “fix” you may have heard about involves swiping your eye area with a Preparation H pad. While this could theoretically work thanks to the 1% hydrocortisone, it’s risky. Hydrocortisone thins the skin over time, and when it comes to your face, this isn’t a risk you truly want to take.

Methods to Banish Undereye Bags Forever

Of course, if the cucumbers, cold spoons, and caffeine-laden creams aren’t working to your satisfaction, or if the results don’t last throughout the day, it may be worth your while to consider surgery. Eye bag surgery involves the removal of the fat pockets that can accumulate just below your eyes, which lead to the puffy appearance. Eye bag surgery is often performed along with other surgeries to reduce the appearance of drooping eyelids, too. For more information or to find out if you’re a candidate for this type of surgery, contact your plastic surgeon today for a consultation.

Many of the “home remedies” used to treat the appearance of undereye bags can have some dramatic results, but they are only temporary and last several hours, at best. They are wonderful for occasional undereye bags that result from restless nights or perhaps even anxiety, but they cannot help persistent undereye bags that are caused by fat pockets and drooping skin. Fortunately, there’s a permanent surgical solution.