How to get rid of dark circles and eye bags
What to do when concealer won’t cut it, here are some treatment for eye-bags
Text: Jo
A girl can never have too many bags … unless of course, they’re under-eye bags.
They may be natural and common, but that doesn’t stop us from feeling self-conscious about them and their shadowy dark circles. It doesn’t help when others make assumptions: “Big night last night?” “Did you even go to bed?” “You look tired.”
Eye bags and dark circles can be caused by a combination of reasons. Too much alcohol and not enough kombucha. Too many late nights and not enough sleep. Too much rubbing your face due to allergies. However, according to Dr Calvin Chan of Calvin Chan Aesthetic & Laser Clinic in Wheelock Place, “The most common reason is due to excess fat in the under-eye area, sagging skin and fat, and overactive under-eye muscles. With age, as with all other parts of your body, the skin becomes less taut and gravity causes eye bags to sag and bulge.”
Wrinkling and crinkling
Of all the skin on your body, the part around your eyes is the thinnest and most sensitive. If you’re of Asian descent, you may also be dealing with more fat around your eye area that can cause puffiness. “Asians also tend to have a very strong or over-active under eye muscle that causes the fat pad under the eyes to bunch up when we smile. This can accelerate aging of the skin, and also cause wrinkling and darkening of the skin tone,” says Dr Chan. Oh, and about that fat pad. Dr Chan confirms that it’s “often a genetic or hereditary issue” so THANKS MUM AND DAD.
Interestingly, eye bags are not just a female phenomenon. As male medical aesthetic treatments gain traction, Dr Chan reveals that treatment for under-eye bags and dark circles is at the top of men’s non-invasive priorities at his clinic, too.
So, what’s a girl (and boy) supposed to do? “Addressing eye bags early with non-invasive methods can prevent drastic measures later on in life,” says Dr Chan who champions keeping well-hydrated, eating clean, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol and exercising to boost circulation. Wearing a daily sunscreen is also a no-brainer.
At home natural remedies are another way to get a quick fix, especially when you need a confidence boost or are prepping for a night out. Sheila Ong, spa manager at Anantara Desaru recommends using cold soaked green tea teabags as a compress (green tea has anti-inflammatory properties) on the eyes, or applying a tablespoon of ground coffee with a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of vitamin E oil under your eyes for 15 minutes (coffee has natural bleaching agents). The team at Healing Touch spa in Singapore suggest popping a spoon in the freezer before pressing it gently onto the eye area for an instant uplift.
Smoothen, brighten, tighten
Of course, while lifestyle changes can help control the appearance of eye bags, they will not eradicate them. Neither will a complicated and dedicated skincare routine of under-eye creams (The Soothe loves Revision Skincare DEJ Cream (SGD 185++) which prevents free radical damage, as well as reduces redness, sagging and dryness).
To really improve the appearance significantly it helps to combine lifestyle changes and eye-care creams with medical aesthetic treatments. Nowadays, getting treatment has become more acceptable, and new, safe non-invasive options and techniques are constantly being developed.
As one treatment doesn’t suit all, a tailor-made solution is often the way forward. “In many cases, skin tightening and lifting above the eyes can improve the appearance of under eye bags along with Botox and filler treatments to replace lost volume and reduce the appearance of fine lines,” explains Dr Chan. “And while the trend for ‘cute eye fat’ (aeygo-sal) is still popular in Korea, my opinion is that it can create a tired, puffy appearance. ABotox is still the choice for younger Asians (SGD 300++ per area, effects last 3–4 months).”
As for fillers, the latest are Redensity II fillers. Dr Chan continues: “It has a liquid texture and is specifically designed for treating the delicate undereye area. It also draws moisture to the surrounding skin, reducing the appearance of the dark circles.” (SGD 800++ per syringe, effects last 9–12 months).
If you’re experiencing skin laxity and droopiness, Thermage — the gold standard in radiofrequency skin tightening — goes deeper to lift and tighten the skin fibers from the mid-layer of the skin. To smoothen, brighten and tighten, Neogen plasma eye rejuvenation treatment uses plasma energy instead of a laser to safely heat the skin and trigger rejuvenation (SGD 2000 ++, sessions recommended every 1–2 months).
Whichever path you choose to take, you should always consult a medical professional prior to making any decisions on aesthetic treatments to work out what is right for you. If you don’t feel comfortable about non-invasive methods, dark shades, self-confidence and a killer smile can also work wonders.
The information provided is not intended as medical advice or instruction on aesthetic treatments. Bags under eyes are usually harmless, but do see your doctor if the swelling is severe, persistent, painful, itchy or red.
