Discolored, thick, and puffy; these are the undesirable characteristics of eye bags that the average individual would prefer to avoid. After all, it only adds unnecessary years to an otherwise youthful and radiant-looking appearance. A common myth surrounding eye bags is that they are derived from a lack of sleep, and hence, comes the ineffective advice one would often hear: use an eye mask, get more sleep, and the like. Though a lack of sleep may just as well contribute to the worsening of eye bags, it is but a minor contributing factor.
What are under-eye bags?
Eye bags start to appear when sagging and weakened skin relaxes and forms a pouch. The fat pads underneath the eyes subsequently slip down to fill the area, creating the illusion of a ‘bag’. Additionally, the body’s excess fluid can pool in this location, giving the lower eyelids an even puffier and swollen appearance. Eye bags will appear more noticeable if there is any discolored skin or shadows under the eyes.
Under-eye bags are primarily a cosmetic concern. Although they might occasionally indicate an underlying medical issue like thyroid disease, they are generally innocuous. Most under-eye bags become more evident in the morning when the fluid has had time throughout the night to settle in.
Causes of eye bags
The most prevalent cause of bags beneath the eyes is aging. As we age, we lose collagen and fat padding, the main component of connective tissues in our muscles, skin, as well as other body parts. Lower collagen levels induce tone and elasticity loss in the skin and underlying muscles throughout the body. As the skin around the eyes is so thin, this sagging is very evident.
Other variables that may lead to under-eye bags include:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Allergies
- Eye fatigue
- Genetics
- Smoking
- Fluid retention, particularly upon waking or following a salty meal
- Medical conditions such as thyroid eye disease, renal disease, and dermatitis
Scarless eye bag removal surgery
Scarless eye bag removal surgery is a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) that removes fat deposits under the eye, the surgery is usually performed under local or general anaesthesia. The procedure gets its “scarless” namesake from its ability to avoid leaving behind a visible surgery scar due to the incision being made within the inner part of the lower eyelid.
Before the procedure, our doctors would enquire about the patient’s medical history or perform brief basic health check on the patient. This is done to access the patient’s eligibility and suitability for the procedure. The doctor will also address the patient’s concerns, along with any potential risks associated with the procedure, as shared knowledge of the risks associated between the patient and our doctor is vital to the surgery’s effectiveness and a smooth recovery process.
During the procedure, the patient will be put under local or general anaesthesia. The doctor/surgeon will then make an incision on the inner wall of the lower eyelid; fat and/or excess tissue would be removed or rearranged before the surgeon seals up the incision with a suture. This is a generally fast surgical procedure that is completed in about 20 minutes, and results are immediately visible after the initial post-operation bruising and swelling subsides.
As this is a surgical procedure, it carries with it certain risks such as infection or inflammation. More severe post-surgery complications may require further follow up surgery to correct. To minimize the risk of complications, it is important that the surgery to be performed by a highly trained doctor, like the doctors/surgeons at The Clifford Surgery Clinic who are reputable and highly skilled, with years of experience under their belts.
Non-surgical eye bag removal
Eye bag removal surgery is often thought as synonymous with eliminating eye bags. But what treatment options are available for patients who do not want to jump straight into going under the knife?
For those who are worried or have reservations about getting a surgical procedure done, The Clifford Surgery Clinic also offers surgery free eye bag removal treatment options.
AGNES eye bag removal – Agnes is a radiofrequency (RF) device that uses fixed depth micro-needles to precisely deliver concentrated RF energy into the skin tissue around the eye. RF energy melts the subcutaneous fat pads located between the skin and orbital septum while heating up the fibroblast cells of the targeted region to promote and accelerate collogen regeneration, tightening the skin to create a lifting effect under the eye.
The skin elasticity restoration ability of AGNES has the added benefit of reducing the droopiness of the upper eyelids and filling out wrinkles, enhancing the overall appearance of the eyes.
Secret RF – Secret RF is a non-surgical treatment that utilises non-insulated microcannulas (fine needles) to deliver RF energy into the fats and skin tissue surrounding the eye.
Like AGNES, Secret RF reduces eyebags by breaking down the orbital fat pads and corrects structural problems by stimulating collagen formation to remodel and tighten the dermis of the lower eyelid, correcting sagging look under the eye.
However, unlike the precision fixed depth micro-needles of AGNES, Secret RF delivers controlled RF energy to different depths of the skin/fat pads thanks to its non-insulated needles, allowing for fat ablation at all levels beneath the eye.
As mentioned above, the main cause of eye bag development is the loss of skin elasticity and structure.
The Clifford Surgery Clinic combines AGNES and Secret RF to address skin laxity (via stimulating natural collogen regeneration) and fix the signature “saggy” appearance caused by eye bags (by eliminating the fats in the area below the eye) to achieve better and more permanent results!
Side effects and downtime
As both surgical and non-surgical eye bag removal procedures are scarless, there are no side effects in terms of permanent scaring/marking at the treatment site. Once the wound of the surgical procedure heals, patients will have a natural-looking appearance with long-term results.
Some swelling, redness and bruising of the lower eyelid may be experienced for a week after the non-surgical treatment.
Patients may resume normal daily activities between 7 to 14 days after the surgical procedure.
Bid farewell to additional baggage with The Clifford Surgery Clinic!
Although primarily harmless by nature, the bulging, unsightly under-eye bags can bring your confidence down and add years to a rather youthful look. If you dislike how tired the bags under your eyes might make you look, fret not! The Clifford Surgery Clinic is equipped with the necessary tools and experience to give you a refreshed appearance with our scarless eye bag removal surgery.
With excellent attention to detail, our doctors at The Clifford Surgery Clinic are highly qualified medical specialists specializing in aesthetic operations – whether a scarless eye bag removal surgery, double eyelid surgery, or a breast implant in Singapore, our doctors’ meticulousness ensures the best results possible. Contact us today and head down to our clinic for a consultation with one of our doctors to determine the best course of treatment for you!