How to Get Rid of Eye Bags: Natural vs. Cosmetic Treatments

Have you ever woken up in the morning and noticed that the skin under your eyes looked extra puffy? It's what many people refer to as "eye bags."

Some people just see them on occasion and the eye bags go away on their own. Other people may develop chronic eye bags that are part of everyday life. While puffy eyes are often just a natural part of aging, there are many options that can help reduce their appearance or even get rid of them altogether.

What Causes Eye Bags?

Sometimes eye bags are caused by a one-time event, like stress, crying or not getting enough rest.¹ Maybe all you need is a good night's sleep or a relaxing spa facial to help make them go away. Sometimes they're a result of allergic reactions or even dehydration.

Other times, eye bags may simply be a natural part of aging or genetics. They may develop as the fat pockets around your eyes change and herniate, leaving puffy skin behind.¹ But just because they're natural doesn't mean that you want them to stick around. There are a bevy of solutions available to you, ranging from surgical to minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, and even home remedies.

Just remember: While most causes of eye bags are minor, there are rare occasions when a medical issue may be at play. If symptoms are worsening, brand new or worry you for any reason, schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule out a medical cause.

To recap, eye bags can result from:

• Stress
• Crying
• Lack of sleep
• Allergic reactions
• Dehydration
• Aging
• Genetics
• Medical issues

Depending on the cause and severity of your under-eye bags, you might consider cosmetic treatments, natural remedies or a combination of both. Below is a list of 22 options that you can try.

Cosmetic Remedies

Cosmetic remedies include both surgical and non-surgical options, depending on your preference and unique situation. You'll need to speak with your dermatologist about which treatment would be most effective for you.

1. Lower blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty, or lower eyelid surgery, is a type of eyelid lift that removes wrinkles and bags under your eyes.² This surgery — performed with local anesthesia on an outpatient basis — involves making an incision inside your lower lid and removing extra fat. The average cost of lower blepharoplasty is $4,120.

This surgery can be highly effective and typically resolves the eye bags permanently. In rare cases, someone may need to combine it with another therapy, like laser resurfacing.

2. Chemical peel

A chemical peel removes older skin cells, revealing the tighter skin beneath.³ It's a non-invasive treatment that may help improve the appearance of eye bags, depending on your individual situation. While the average price of a chemical peel is about $500, the cost can range from $200 to $6,000, depending on exactly what you're having done.

3. Non-ablative laser treatment

Non-ablative laser treatment refers to using a light source to stimulate collagen, but without actually removing the outer layer of the skin like ablative laser treatments do.⁴

One type of non-ablative laser treatment is IPL, which uses multiple light wavelengths versus just one wavelength used in more traditional laser therapy. It has a shorter downtime than other procedures like facelifts. The average national cost of IPL treatment is about $412, but that may vary widely depending on location and type of treatment.

4. Microneedling

Microneedling is a non-surgical treatment that may help under-eye bags by promoting collagen production.⁵ Fine needles are used to puncture your skin in order to kick-start healing. You'll typically need six sessions, at the rate of roughly one session per month. It costs less than laser treatments, but takes longer to see results.

5. Restylane® dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are injected into your face to add volume or treat deep lines. They tend to be more expensive than Botox®, running about $682 to $2,126 a treatment.

One type of dermal filler is Restylane®, a hyaluronic acid filler. The active ingredient is a substance your body naturally produces. The effects can last up to two years.

6. Platelet-rich plasma therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is another treatment sometimes used for eye bags. It involves drawing a small amount of blood from your veins and separating out the platelets. The platelets are then injected back into your face. This is another treatment that can increase collagen production and rejuvenate your skin.

PRP can cost an average of $981, though prices may vary.

7. Botox® Cosmetic

Botox® uses injections to temporarily relax your muscles and typically only takes a few minutes to do. Results can last three to four months. Botox® tends to focus on the skin around the eye bag. It can improve appearance by relaxing tension, but it doesn't remove the eye bag itself.¹

The cost can vary depending on where you live, but it tends to run around $466 per treatment.

8. Retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A found in certain moisturizers that helps stimulate collagen production. Buying it over the counter can cost from $10 up to $200 or more. Sometimes dermatologists may prescribe a stronger form of retinol.

It helps eye bags by stimulating collagen production.⁵ However, retinol tends to bring about smaller changes than other cosmetic treatments.

Natural Remedies

If you're not interested in cosmetic fixes at this time, there are natural remedies that you can try.

1. Antihistamines

Sometimes eye bags can actually be a symptom of an allergic reaction.⁵ Try taking antihistamines to cut down on any allergies you may have. Eye bags might be the result of an airborne allergen, but can also be caused by allergies to products you put on or near your eyes, like makeup, soap or hair dye.

2. Tea bags

You might be surprised to learn that the antioxidants in tea bags may help reduce the bags under your eyes.⁵ Try steeping two tea bags for about five minutes and then chilling them in your refrigerator for another 20. Squeeze out any excess liquid and place them under your eyes for up to 30 minutes a day. Green-tea bags may work best.

3. Cold compress

A cool compress may help reduce eye bags.³ Apply a washcloth that's been dampened with cool water to the skin under your eyes. Hold it there for just a few minutes a day. It has a temporary effect by constricting blood vessels.⁵

You can also buy cold compresses that are made to be worn around your eyes, if you want a cozier fit.

4. Elevation

Try sleeping with your head slightly elevated, in order to prevent fluid from building up around your eyes as you sleep.⁵ You can achieve this by propping an extra pillow under your head or using a wedge-shaped pillow. The wedge pillow may be more comfortable, since it creates a more gentle incline for your head and back.

5. Sleep

Not getting enough sleep can make your eye bags look worse by increasing dark circles or causing your face to look paler overall.⁵ Try getting a full night's rest consistently and see if that helps.

This isn't always easy to achieve, however, so you may need to plan ahead. Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed may help. You may also want to avoid any electronic devices or TV screens about an hour before bedtime.

6. Iron Supplements

Sometimes anemia can lead to pale skin and dark circles under your eyes, which can make eye bags look worse.⁵ You'll need to see your doctor to determine if you're deficient in iron or anemic. If you are, supplements and iron-rich foods may help.

7. Reducing alcohol consumption

Alcohol can contribute to dehydration, which may increase the appearance of under-eye bags and dark circles.⁵ It can also disrupt your sleep, which can aggravate eye bags. Reduce your alcohol intake and see if it helps.

8. Reducing smoking

If you smoke, try decreasing how much you smoke each day — or quit entirely.² Smoking can make eye bag problems worse by depleting vitamin C, which is important for collagen production.⁵ Smoking can also damage your skin, which can aggravate eye bags.

9. Neti pot

A Neti pot helps clear your sinuses, and some people believe that this helps under-eye bags, too.⁵ Follow the directions on the Neti pot exactly, and only use distilled water or water that's been sterilized through boiling.

10. Makeup

Makeup can help reduce the appearance of eye bags, even if it doesn't get rid of them completely.¹ But you'll want to make sure you take your makeup off before you go to bed. Wearing makeup overnight might lead to an allergic reaction, infection or increased oxidative stress — all of which can aggravate eye bags.⁵

In addition to regular makeup, you might consider a skin-lightening cream made with hydroquinone. Only available with a prescription, this can also help the appearance of eye bags (and dark circles).⁵

11. Sunscreen

Because sunscreen helps protect you from premature aging, wrinkling and other skin issues, it may also help reduce bags under your eyes.⁵ But even if it doesn't, it's always a good idea to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

12. Caffeine

Eye creams with caffeine in them may also help, since caffeine is a vasoconstrictor.³ These creams work similarly to placing tea bags under your eyes. You can typically buy these over the counter.

13. Cucumbers

You've probably seen plenty of stories about people applying cold cucumbers under their eyes to help with eye bags. Cold cucumbers work like cold compresses by temporarily constricting blood vessels.⁵ You can apply them for a few minutes each day under your eyes, just like you would a compress. In fact, frozen bags of vegetables would work similarly.

14. Reducing salt consumption and staying hydrated

Too much salt or too little water in your diet can both contribute to eye bags.⁵ Retaining too much fluid from a diet heavy in salt may make your face puffier. Additionally, dehydration can cause your face to look more sunken. Try reducing salt and drinking more water.

Depending on the cause of your eye bags, there are numerous solutions that can help, ranging from surgery to something as simple as putting a cold compress on your eyes. Your dermatologist can help you determine which options are best to start with, and which are most likely to bring the best results.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Eye Bag Treatments

The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for dermatology visits, over-the-counter treatments and prescription medications at locations within the CareCredit network.* Start investing in your skin today and apply for the CareCredit credit card. Find a dermatologist near you that accepts CareCredit and continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news, and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.