Under-eye bags are a real nuisance for many individuals, especially those who feel full of energy but look sad or fatigued; they no longer convey inner vitality. In most, bags under the eyes cause a person to appear older than they are and like they lack sleep. This is common in both men and women and may even be noticeable in patients as young as 30. Fortunately, there is a way to reduce or eliminate these signs of aging around the eyes. The two main alternatives are either surgery to remove the bags, or the application of dermal fillers to reduce their appearance.
Why do bags under the eyes form?
To understand how dermal fillers work to treat under-eye bags, we need to know why bags appear in the first place. In younger patients, bags under the eyes are noticeable because of poor bony support in the maxilla, under the eye socket. This condition is called maxillary hypoplasia, and a genetic component plays a key factor in its occurrence. A trough is formed between the lower eyelid and the cheek. This tear trough, as it’s known in the medical community, is what makes bags look noticeable. Dermal fillers, especially those derived from hyaluronic acid, were designed to fill in this trough and correct volume deficiency to reduce the appearance of bags in younger people significantly. The filler is applied in the surgeon’s office using a sterile technique. A small amount is applied in the first consultation, and a week later, a touch up is done if needed. Downtime after this procedure is minimal, although some swelling and mild bruising are not uncommon.
In older patients, bags under the eyes are usually caused by laxity in the tissues of the lower eyelids. The skin of the lower eyelid is the thinnest in the body. The fatty tissue around the eyes is separated from the eyelid skin and muscle by a thin tissue membrane called the orbital septum. This barrier and the ligaments that attach it to the bony rim weaken and sag with age. The fat deposits shift forward in response to this weakening, causing the bags to protrude. Furthermore, changes in skin tone and elasticity cause the eyelid skin to become lax, and wrinkles start to form.
How do dermal fillers make the bags less noticeable?
Dermal fillers help to reduce the appearance of puffiness and bags by acting as a cushion for the ligaments and weakened tissues of the lower eyelid. They also hydrate the skin and restore the collagen network that supports the lower eyelid. When bags are caused by tissue laxity rather than poor bony support, the type of fillers and quantity must be personalized to achieve the best result.
Dermal fillers have revolutionized the way facial plastic surgeons approach under-eye bags. It is possible to achieve natural, long-lasting results without having to take patients to the operating suite. Therefore, when it comes to the treatment of bags, fillers have become a surgeon’s best friend.
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