There's a Non-Surgical Way to Get Rid of Bags, Too
If you don't want to go under the knife, going under the needle is another alternative: "Injecting hyaluronic acid filler in the area around the fat pad softens the edges and camouflages the bulge," explains Chiu, who does note that this is an off-label way to use fillers. The results last only for a year or so, but the price tag is significantly less than that of surgery, anywhere from $700-$1,400, according to Chiu. The one caveat: If the under-eye skin is especially loose or saggy, or the fat pads overly prominent, fillers may not be the right solution.
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Puffiness May Be More of Your Problem
While not technically the same kind of under-eye bags as those that come with age, puffiness is another cause of under-eye issues. "The area under the eyes is anatomically prone to retain water and can easily look swollen and puffy," explains Chiu. Things like diet and sleeping position can affect this (more on that later), but if it seems like your puffiness is persistent, the culprit may be allergies, which can cause this consistently swollen appearance, says Chiu. It's especially important to keep puffiness at bay if you know you're genetically predisposed to those bulging fat pads we mentioned earlier: "When the area is always swollen, the skin becomes stretched out and more prone to sagging and laxity long-term," notes Rouleau.
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Luckily, There Are Products for That
If straight puffiness is your concern, topical eye products can most definitely help. Gel formulas are your new BFF, since they're more cooling than lotions or creams, says Rouleau. "Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels to reduce swelling and puffiness," she explains. Even better, choose one that contains caffeine: "Not only does caffeine help constrict the blood vessels, it's also a diuretic that helps flush out excess water," Chiu says. One to try: Garnier Skinactive Miracle Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel-Cream, $17. Products with metal applicators are also a smart choice. The metal tip is cooling (espesh if you stash it in your fridge), and using it to massage in the product helps promote drainage. Our go-to: First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy, $36.
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Or DIY
There's a whole slew of product-free ways to tamp down under-eye puffiness too, most of which involve things you already have in your kitchen. The classic trick? Keep two spoons in the freezer and put them on your eyes for five to 10 minutes when you need to de-puff, fast. You can even up the ante by applying two cold-steeped black tea bags underneath the spoons to reap the benefits of the caffeine, adds Chiu.
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Lifestyle Habits Matter Too, Though
It sounds simple, but sleeping on your back with your head propped up on a couple of extra pillows can help ensure that you don't wake up superswollen (if only everything in life was that easy). "Keeping your head elevated promotes drainage so that you don't retain as much fluid in your face," says Rouleau. And if you've ever noticed that your under-eye bags look way worse after a night of drinking adult beverages or noshing on salty snacks, you're totally right. Both salt and alcohol make you retain water and will exacerbate puffiness. We're not saying that you can never go out for chips and margs, but if you know that your eyes are prone to swelling, try to avoid these culprits at least right before bedtime.
