Bags under the eyes: why they appear

Morning puffiness under the eyes is sought to quickly get rid of with the help of patches, caffeinated cream or ice compresses. But for starters, it would be nice to find out why the eyes swell and bags appear under the eyes. So let’s look at the possible causes of edema.

9 possible causes of bags under the eyes

Bags under the eyes can bother at any age. They appear in both women and men, and the latter are more prone to this problem – either because of a freer lifestyle, or because of the physiological characteristics of the skin. Be that as it may, swelling under the eyes does not add to our attractiveness, so let’s look at the reasons that provoke them.

Improper diet

Salty and spicy foods eaten at night often lead to the fact that you wake up with slit eyes – bags appear under the eyes. In this article, we will try to figure out why this happens.

Everyone knows that salt retains water. Here is the reason for puffiness under the eyes, dull, unhealthy skin color and even cellulite. How to prevent these consequences?

To begin with, try to follow well-known recommendations, for example, do not add salt to the dish until you have tried it, reduce the amount of salt you add to soups and broths, and reduce the use of cheese, sausages and pickles. But at the same time, you need to increase your potassium intake, as it has the exact opposite effect.

Potassium is found mainly in the intracellular fluid, and sodium (salt) – in the extracellular fluid. The exchange of fluid between these media is controlled by potassium and sodium, which must be in the same amount in the body in order for the cellular exchange to take place as harmoniously as possible. A lot of potassium is found in tuberous vegetables, root vegetables, legumes, parsley, turmeric, mushrooms, cocoa and algae.

By the way, the most noticeable effect of increasing potassium intake is the disappearance of pronounced bags under the eyes.

And now one more news, rather unpleasant: it turns out that sugar also retains fluid, so sweets at night are also taboo. Read about the most harmful foods for the skin here.

Water, as you know, you need to drink in sufficient quantities, but not at night. Drinking liquid before going to bed will definitely lead to swelling.

Take our quiz and find out what kind of eye care you need.

Air travel

People who are prone to swelling know that after a long flight it is difficult for them to squeeze into their shoes. On the face the next morning after the flight, severe swelling under the eyes, swelling, and bags also often appear. Everything is explained quite simply: during the flight, the position of the body is static. Uncomfortable posture, lack of movement – all this to one degree or another affects the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are located in the neck and above the collarbones, to which the lymphatic vessels of the face adjoin. With a long immobilized state, the vessels are compressed and the outflow of lymph is disturbed. There is only one recommendation – during the flight, especially taking more than three hours, get up as often as possible, do simple exercises – do not stay too long.

Bad habits

Whatever they write about the benefits of a daily glass of red wine, know that the skin does not like alcohol. And for beauty, it is more destructive than useful. First, it retains water in the body. Secondly, it can adversely affect the health of blood vessels.

By the way, bad habits include hours of sitting at the computer and addiction to gadgets – both of which are very tiring for the eyes. The result is that they become red, swollen, stagnation occurs and, accordingly, bags. This also includes the habit of squinting. Therefore, regular eye examination and, if necessary, its correction is also the prevention of severe swelling under the eyes.

Allergic reactions

A bag appeared under the eye – what to do? If the eyes are swollen and red, an allergy may be the cause. And sometimes the edema really appears only on one side. Perhaps you recently:

  • tried new foods (fruits, nuts);

  • changed cosmetics;

  • contact with potential allergens (cat hair, pollen, dust).

The most reliable thing is to consult with an allergist-immunologist and take allergy tests. After that, the doctor will prescribe an adequate treatment. Remember that allergies can start at any age.

disease

The cause of puffiness, bags under the eyes, redness and pain in this area can be both an allergy and an infectious disease. In any case, no self-treatment! The doctor will help to exclude or confirm the infection, and he will also name the medicine.

In some cases, swelling in the lower eyelid area is due to:

  • mechanical damage, for example, you can accidentally injure yourself with a mascara brush;

  • a festering pimple on the forehead or at the temple in the region of the lymphatic vessel;

  • neurological disease requiring appropriate treatment;

  • the habit of sleeping on your side, which causes fluid stagnation.

Poor quality sleep

Perhaps the most common cause of such a nuisance as bags under the eyes is lack of sleep. Sleep is very necessary to restore microcirculation, and not only in the eye area. Fortunately, swelling caused by lack of sleep is easy to get rid of – you just need to get enough sleep! If there is no time for this, use an eye cream with toning ingredients or apply something cold (it is no coincidence that many people like to put eye patches in the refrigerator before applying).

Natural aging process

Of course, we are not to blame for this, such is nature. It should be understood that every year the body’s metabolism slows down. And this means that all processes are much slower. For example, the synthesis of collagen and elastin naturally decreases, causing the skin to lose its elasticity. Alas, it must be admitted that the first signs of this phenomenon appear in the eyelids, therefore, after 40, many people for the first time face the problem of puffiness under the eyes.

Lack of physical activity

While we are lying on the couch, sitting in an office chair, or driving in a traffic jam, there is no muscle activity that helps to remove fluid. As a result, the liquid stagnates – including in the area around the eyes.

Wrong cosmetics

One of the common reasons for the appearance of bags under the eyes in women is incorrectly, or rather at the wrong time, used eyelid products, especially with a moisturizing effect. They must be applied 1,5-2 hours before bedtime. It is very important for some time after application to be in an upright position and to provide lymphatic drainage with mimic activity. If you apply eye cream just before bed, there is a risk of swelling instead of leaving. Similarly, it is very important to apply the cream on the orbital bone, not too close to the eyes. It is worth paying attention to the composition: it is good if the product for the skin around the eyes contains components that have a tonic effect, for example, caffeine, escin, dextran or cornflower extract.

What determines the color of the bags under the eyes

Mainly, the color of circles and, accordingly, swelling (bags) under the eyes is determined by the state of the vessels and the quality of the blood supply to the periorbital zone.

  • Blue are caused by a deterioration in microcirculation and a decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood, as a result of which capillaries with venous blood shine through the skin.

  • Black – actually not black, but either blue (see above) or brown. Brown pigment is formed as a result of the production of melanin, provoked by ultraviolet radiation. Increased pigmentation in the area around the eyes is typical for middle-aged and older people.

  • Red they talk about increased blood filling of the vessels and stagnation of blood, which can be caused by prolonged eye strain. The second reason for redness is an inflammatory reaction (time to see a doctor).

How to deal with bags and swelling under the eyes

Periorbital edema, popularly known as bags under the eyes, is caused by the accumulation of fluid around the eyes – it does not have time to be removed and stagnates in the lower eyelids. It happens that the upper eyelids also swell, but this is more of an age-related problem: after 50 years, the body copes worse and worse with metabolic processes.

There is no need to worry about the innate features of the face. For example, in Korea, swelling under the eyes is considered very pretty. And while in the West they are trying to get rid of even the lightest edema with all their might, Asian girls paint on skin folds with the help of shadows and pencils.

What to do to get rid of bags under the eyes? First of all, you need to review the drinking regimen and honestly assess the level of your physical activity. Insufficient fluid intake can also provoke swelling under the eyes. A sedentary lifestyle always leads to congestion.

  • Use skin care products designed for the area around the eyes and for the skin of the eyelids. In the evening, apply care 1,5 to two hours before bedtime. If you do this just before you go to bed, then there is a chance that you will wake up with bags under your eyes, which we have already written about above.

  • Apply eye cream correctly. If it is necessary to get rid of dark circles and swelling, the product is distributed under the eyes from the inner corner of the eye to the outer, this will increase lymphatic drainage. You can gently tap on the skin with your fingertips (this technique is called “rain”). If the product is anti-aging, it is applied from the outer corner of the eyes to the inner, along the lines of the least stretching of the skin, with slight pressure.

To get rid of bags under the eyes at home, the following improvised means will help:

  • compresses and lotions from tea leaves, parsley juice, cornflower blue water;

  • cold patches and masks (they can be put in the refrigerator before use);

  • gels and creams for the care of the eye area should be used on an ongoing basis, at least once a day.

Don’t forget the beautician. Procedures such as microcurrents, lymphatic drainage massage, mesotherapy to one degree or another will help get rid of a fairly common problem of edema and bags under the eyes, familiar not only to women, but also to men. If the bags become very noticeable and cannot be corrected with cosmetics, you can consult a cosmetologist for blepharoplasty. Only the operation will not save from the tendency to edema in this area and will require further prevention of their appearance.

Overview of cosmetics for bags under the eyes

Bags under the eyes can disturb both women and men at any age. Be that as it may, swelling under the eyes adds age, so we suggest fighting them with the help of cosmetics. The products presented in the selection, as a rule, include well-known draining components: caffeine, haloxyl, horse chestnut extract, butcher’s broom, escin, etc. SOS products are especially convenient – sticks and rollers that can be used as needed, outside scope of routine care.

Cream «BB Cream. Roller around the eyes “series” Skin Naturals “Garnier

It is both a light texture concealer and a caring agent. The formula is specially designed for the area around the eyes and includes haloxyl, a super effective agent to combat dark circles and bags under the eyes. Grapefruit extract in the cream is rich in antioxidants; mineral pigments even out the tone.

Night restorative care for the skin around the eyes Midnight Recovery Eye, Kiehl’s

Inspired by the popular oil-filled night serum, it contains cucumber extract to refresh and cool the skin, and butcher’s broom extract to help drain bags and dark circles under the eyes.

Anti-aging care for the eye contour Redermic R Yeux, La Roche-Posay

In addition to retinol, one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients, it contains caffeine, which means it fights not only wrinkles, but also bags under the eyes.

Fluid for the skin around the eyes “Revitalift Laser x3. Regenerating deep eye care, L’Oréal Paris

Provides complete anti-aging care and, of course, does not bypass the problem of bags under the eyes. The formula includes caffeine, and the tube is equipped with a metal applicator that slightly cools the skin.

Fabric patches under the eyes “Moisturizing + fresh look” against bags and dark circles under the eyes, Garnier

They have a cooling effect, soaked in an invigorating cocktail enriched with hyaluronic acid and orange juice.

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