I have dark, puffy bags under my eyes and I'm in my early twenties :(
I'd like to find out about any treatments available for getting rid of
them.

Notes:
1) The treatments should not involve major surgical procedures
involving "going under the knife", but other alternative methods may
be helpful.
2) Ways to reduce bags with improvements to lifestyle can be included.
3) Any evidence of the effect of contact lense wearing may be helpful.

Thanks.

---

Clarification of Question by mrpink-ga on 11 Mar 2003 04:43 PST

4) Reasons for gettings baggy eyes in the first place may also be helpful.

Hi! Thanks for the question.

I will categorize the resources I found from alternative treatments
plus sample products to article tips. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to
find any definitive source, which ties contact lenses with baggy eyes.

Alternative Treatments:

1. Sutureless Laser Eyelid Surgery
http://www.sternctr.com/eyelid-surgery.html 

2. Electric Massagers

Bodi-Tek Facial Toner
http://www.lovestory.it/beauty/skintreatments.htm 

Fit4Ever
http://www.fit4ever.es/modelarsilueta/mujer/rostro_eng.htm 

Magnetic Acupuncture Eye Massager
http://www.hairlossnet.com/health-beauty/Breeze-eye-massager.htm 

3. Creams

Eye Gelee Concentrate
http://www.internatural-alternative-health.com/ingr/ingr121050.cfm 

4. Cosmetic gels

Herbal anti-aging eye gel
http://www.ageless.co.za/eyegel.htm 

Azulen Eye Gel
http://www.health-secrets.com/cgi-bin/Shop/outputproduct.cgi?f=body,c=8,p=HSRAEG

5. Exercise
 
“Health Mark Pro Inversion Table”
http://www.thegoodshopguide.com/as-seen-on-tv-store.html

6. Tea

“If you're a believer of going all natural, home remedies are for you.
Tea contains tannin, which is an astringent. It will contract body
tissues and reduce eye-bags. Some teas like Assam and Chamomile work
better for eye-bags. Infuse two tea bags in boiling water for 10
minutes. remove and cool. Apply a compress to your puffy areas.”

7. Cucumber Slices

“If the idea of used tea bags disgusts you, try cold cucumber slices.
They'll constrict blood vessels and reduce puffiness. A cold spoon
also acts in this way.”

“Getting rid of bags under eyes”
http://www.allsands.com/Health/Advice/eyebagsremedie_suk_gn.htm 

-----------------
Helpful Article Tips:

“home remedy for puffy eyes”
http://www.plusmodels.com/beautytips.shtml 

“Does Preparation H cure baggy eyes?”
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990305.html 

“Ask The Makeup Diva”
http://www.makeupdiva.com/advice061401.html 

“Facial self diagnosis”
http://hps-online.com/nbagman.htm 

FX Answers - Baggy Eyes
http://www.teenhealthfx.com/answers/467.html 

Dawn Health Tips
http://niazi.com/Wellness%20Guide/dh-tipb.htm 

Search terms used:      
Alternative treatments "baggy eyes" tips “contact lenses”
     
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
     
Thanks for visiting us.      
     
Regards,      
Easterangel-ga      
Google Answers Researcher

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 11 Mar 2003 06:02 PST

Sorry I wasn't able to see your latest clarification while answering
the question.

My link in the original answer: Dawn Health Tips explains some causes
for baggy eyes.

"Baggy eyes in the morning are normally due to sleeping on stomach or
without a pillow; fatigue and alcohol make it worse. Frequent swelling
is often a sign of allergies. Bags under the eyes, mainly hereditary,
occur because fluids tends to accumulate where the skin is thinner.
Thyroid, kidney and heart disease and use of some medications make
baggy eyes appear worse; in most cases resting and sleeping on an
elevated pillow is the best you can do."

Dawn Health Tips 
http://niazi.com/Wellness%20Guide/dh-tipb.htm  

The link meanwhile on "Facial Self Diagnosis" has a different
explanation on the causes of baggy eyes.

"Bags under the eyes indicate a large intestine (colon) problem, or
kidney problems."

“Facial self diagnosis” 
http://hps-online.com/nbagman.htm  

Please take note of the disclaimer made below. This answer is only
general information and should not substitute for professional medical
advice.

I strongly suggest that you consult a medical professional before
following any of the advice mentioned.

Thanks.

Thanks for the answer. Well structured and put together! Although I
think maybe there could have been a little more research done
considering a similar question
(http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=161741) was
priced at $5...

Hello MrPink-GA,

I personally have had dark baggy eyes since childhood (am now 30) and
I went to several optometrists to determine the cause and to seek
treatment, but to no avail. However, the reason for mine is probably
not the reason for yours. Something causes my eyes to tear and spill
over the eye lids instead of filtering down the tear ducts. As a child
this caused me to rub my eyes continuously. The doctors aren't sure if
the condition or the constant rubbing caused the dark circles (I would
guess the rubbing) but they were never able to come up with a
successful treatment. Later in life the condition subsided somewhat
(the tearing) but I was still left with the dark circles. I looked
into treatment while in my early twenties and I found that forms of
plastic surgery was going to be pretty much my only hope (because they
had been that way for so long). I opted not to do it as he couldn't
tell me if it would be 100% successful and the tearing is still not
gone completely, so I didn't want the problem to come back again after
spending all the money for the surgery.

I guess what I want to add here is that the treatment for you problem
is very much going to depend on the cause. I can also tell you that if
it continues long enough, the dark circles become a permanent part of
your life (speaking from experience here). I wish you the best of luck
in getting your problem resolved. It's no fun to go through life
looking like you've been up all night, or as the kids use to tease --
"did someone beat you up??".

-PWizard

believe it or not, using preparation H creme (for hemorrhoids) works
well for many people.

See also Subject: Circles under my eyes 

http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=161741

.........and there was a report that concluded that plain ordinary
aspirin would reduce puffiness around the eyes especially where it
related sleep deprivation

Thanks for all the comments :)

After skimming through the answer I have reached the conclusion the
reasons for my puffy eyes are a combination of things. The fact that I
wear contact lenses mean that I'm constantly stretching the skin
around my eyes which can't help. My dad has very puffy eyes -
hereditary I guess. Also, I stare at a screen all day and I eat too
much fatty foods.

I'm going to:

Drink alot of water
Take Vitamin C
Use vitamin E oil on eys
Be more careful taking out contacts
exercise more and have a better diet
get a fluffier pillow!

:)

Sometimes dark circles under the eyes of children are the sign of
environmental toxins. Does you father have a paint shop in the garage?
Do you live on a farm or next door to a golf course where herbicides
and pesticides may be in heavy use? Are there other toxic chemical
factors that may have been over looked? How is your water?

Also, the time you are asleep is when the liver cleans the blood. Make
sure you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night and if you
need to catch up then sleep for 10 hours for three nights straight.

Avoid heavy meals at night and especially just before bed. Eat a like
a queen for breakfast, princess for lunch and a pauper for dinner.

Do you drink alcohol? Drinking alcohol diminishes the livers ability
to clean you blood at a reasonable rate. Make sure not to drink to
excess or too often.

Do you have a chronic inflammation? Some unresolved infection or
illness? Again, if the liver is dealing with cleaning up from and
infection of illness it has lest ability to do it regular job of
cleaning your blood while you sleep.

Just some ideas as I am not a doctor and don’t wish to be taken as
one.

OrbitalD