Eye Bag Prevention & Treatment: Real vs. Pseudo Eye Bags? Doctors Explain the Causes and How to Remove Eye Bag Fat

Eye bags are a common concern for many people. Once they appear, they not only affect facial aesthetics but can also make you look constantly tired and worn out. Have you often heard comments like, “You look exhausted”? Can drinking red bean water or barley water really help reduce puffiness-related eye bags? Let’s take a comprehensive look at the causes, types, prevention methods, and medical aesthetic treatments for eye bags—before they worsen and become more pronounced.

1

What Are Eye Bags?

Eye bags refer to swelling or sagging beneath the eyes, usually caused by protruding fat in the lower eyelid area. They can make a person appear tired and older, which is why many people seek ways to eliminate them.

To distinguish between eye bags, aegyo-sal, and tear troughs, it’s important to understand their fundamental differences:

Eye Bags

Primarily composed of fat and positioned lower under the eyes. They appear even when you are not smiling and often create a fatigued appearance.

Aegyo-sal

Formed by the orbicularis oculi muscle. They become more prominent when smiling and enhance facial charm, often associated with a youthful and attractive look.

Tear Troughs

Caused by ligament laxity and located beneath the eye bags, forming a visible groove or hollow.

2

Causes of Eye Bags

Eye bag formation can be divided into congenital and acquired causes:

Congenital Eye Bags

Result from genetic factors that cause excess under-eye fat, often appearing at a young age.

Acquired Eye Bags

Develop due to aging, excessive eye use, and unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Key contributing factors include:

Aging and Skin Laxity

As collagen diminishes with age, the skin and muscles around the eyes lose firmness. Fat beneath the eyes sags, forming visible eye bags.

Genetics

Some individuals naturally have more orbital fat, making them more prone to eye bags.

Poor Lifestyle Habits

Staying up late, stress, lack of sleep, and high-sodium diets can all worsen eye bag severity.

Other Factors

Fluid retention, allergies, chronic illnesses, and frequent eye rubbing may also contribute to eye bag formation.

3

Types of Eye Bags and Their Relationship with Dark Circles

Eye bags can be categorized into several types:

Aging-Related Eye Bags

Skin around the eyes becomes loose and saggy due to collagen loss. Thinner under-eye skin also makes dark circles more noticeable.

Genetic Eye Bags

Appear early in life and become more prominent with age. Structural dark circles may also be inherited.

Puffy (Edema-Type) Eye Bags

Characterized by under-eye swelling, often more noticeable in the morning. Closely linked to sleep and dietary habits.

Medical-Related Eye Bags

Caused by conditions such as thyroid disorders or allergies. These usually subside once the underlying condition is properly treated.

4

How to Prevent Eye Bags: Healthy Habits for Eye Area Care

Want to avoid seeing a plastic surgeon? Start by improving your daily habits:

Adequate Sleep

Maintain 7–8 hours of quality sleep daily. Sleep deprivation worsens dark circles and eye bags.

Avoid Excess Fluid Before Bed

Limit water intake before sleeping and use a slightly elevated pillow to prevent fluid accumulation under the eyes.

Healthy Diet

Reduce salt and alcohol consumption. High sodium intake causes water retention and puffiness. Consume vitamin C– and antioxidant-rich foods such as kiwi, guava, red peppers, tomatoes, blueberries, and green tea to protect the eye area.

Limit Screen Time

Extended screen use strains the eyes. Rest your eyes every 30–40 minutes to prevent fatigue.

Quit Smoking

Smoking accelerates skin aging and increases the risk of eye bag formation.

Proper Sleeping Posture

Adequate sleep improves blood circulation around the eyes. Avoid sleeping positions that compress the eye area to minimize skin stretching and sagging.

5

6 Daily Methods to Reduce Eye Bags (Don’t Ignore Under-Eye Hydration)

Beyond prevention, these daily practices can help reduce eye bags:

1. Cold or Warm Compresses

Cold compresses constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. Use ice packs, chilled cucumber slices, or cold tea bags. Warm compresses promote circulation using a warm towel.

2. Lymphatic Massage

Eye-area massage enhances circulation and helps drain excess fluid.

3. Acupressure

Massaging points such as Jingming and Chengqi can relieve eye fatigue and improve circulation.

4. Eye Creams and Eye Masks

Use products suited to your needs. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera hydrate; retinol, peptides, and caffeine stimulate collagen, firm skin, and improve dark circles.

5. Regular Exercise and Weight Management

Exercise improves circulation, reduces edema, and offers antioxidant benefits. Maintaining a healthy weight also minimizes fat accumulation in the face.

6. Herbal Wellness Teas

Certain teas promote diuresis and reduce puffiness caused by fluid retention, such as barley water and red bean water.

6

Simple De-Puffing Herbal Teas for Eye Bag Reduction

These ingredients are easy to find and simple to prepare—ideal for busy urban lifestyles.

1. Aged Tangerine Peel & Poria Tea

Ingredients: Aged tangerine peel (5 g), poria (2 g)

Benefits: Supports digestion and removes dampness, improving edema-type eye bags.

Preparation: Rinse ingredients, steep in boiling water for 5 minutes.

2. Red Bean & Barley Water

Ingredients: Red beans (50 g), barley (50 g)

Benefits: Promotes fluid metabolism and reduces puffiness.

Preparation: Boil until soft, strain, and drink the liquid.

3. Black Bean & Corn Silk Tea

Ingredients: Black beans (10 g), cooked barley (5 g), corn silk (3 g)

Benefits: Supports kidney and spleen function, reduces water retention.

Preparation: Steep in 800–1000 ml hot water for 30 minutes.

If eye bags persist after trying these methods, consult a medical doctor or traditional medicine practitioner for professional evaluation.

7

Medical Aesthetic Treatments for Eye Bags and Dark Circles

For severe eye bags, professional treatments may be required:

Non-Invasive Treatments (for mild eye bags and puffiness):

Ultrasound or radiofrequency lifting stimulates collagen production and firms the eye area. Laser treatments (picosecond or IPL) improve pigmentation and brighten the under-eye area.

Injectable Treatments (for hollow-type eye bags or structural dark circles):

Hyaluronic acid or collagen stimulators fill tear troughs, smooth contours, and restore a youthful appearance.

Eye Bag Surgery (for moderate to severe fat-type eye bags):

Removes excess fat and tightens supporting structures.

Inner Incision: Minimal trauma, fast recovery, no visible scars.

Outer Incision: Suitable for severe sagging; removes excess skin and fat.

Five-in-One Eye Bag Surgery: Addresses eye bags, dark circles, fine lines, and hollows in one procedure.

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Three-Level Radiofrequency Eye Bag Treatment: Non-Invasive and Highly Effective

The R6 Miracle Eye Rescue Treatment is a popular non-surgical option. It delivers three different radiofrequency energy levels to the superficial, middle, and deep layers of the eye area. This technology dissolves excess fat, stimulates collagen, improves circulation, and reduces puffiness—all without surgery or downtime. It is ideal for fast-paced urban lifestyles.

Already Have Eye Bags? Skincare and Diet Alone Won’t Fix Them

Preventive habits are difficult to maintain consistently. If eye bags continue to worsen with age—and you don’t want surgery or injections—the most effective solution is a professional medical aesthetic treatment.

Perfect Medical’s flagship R6 Miracle Eye Rescue Treatment uses medical-grade radiofrequency combined with red and blue light to:

• Stimulate collagen production and tighten sagging under-eye skin
• Improve circulation and lymphatic drainage to reduce dark circles and puffiness
• Simultaneously address eye bags, eye wrinkles, and dark circles

The treatment is non-invasive, painless, and requires no recovery time—ideal for those who wish to avoid surgery or needles. Register now to learn more and enjoy a complimentary first trial.