Simple home remedies for baggy eyes

Under-eye bags can make you feel self-conscious about the way you look, but a few simple homemade remedies can improve your appearance.

Baggy eyes develop due to a variety of causes, including allergies, lack of sleep, high salt intake, fatigue and drinking beverages that contain caffeine and alcohol.

Aging can also cause bags to appear under eyes because as you grow older, the muscles that support your eyelids may start to weaken. When this happens, fat migrates into your lower eyelids, giving them a baggy appearance.

Fatigue can make puffy eyes worse, so be sure to get at least eight hours of sleep. When you lie flat on your back, fluids tend to accumulate in your lower eyelids.

• Prevent this problem by sleeping with your head elevated.

Cold compresses can help reduce swelling under the eyes. If the swelling is worse when you wake up, apply a cold compress to both eyes for several minutes.

• Chilly cucumber slices or cold and damp tea bags can be applied to your eyes as a soothing remedy. You can also use a damp, chilled wash cloth or ice pack for the same effect.
• Baggy eyes and dark circles often occur together.
• If dark circles are a problem for you, cold compresses can help by shrinking the blood vessels that darken the under-eye area.

Allergies can cause inflammation and swelling around your eyes. This can be a problem if you have hay fever or other allergies, but can also occur if you're allergic to a particular food or substance.

• Your body attempts to fight an allergic reaction by releasing histamines, which are chemicals that make your capillaries more receptive to the white blood cells needed to fight an allergic reaction.
• Although histamines can be helpful, they cause your blood vessels to release fluids that seep into the area under your eyes.
• Taking over-the-counter or prescription allergy medication regularly and avoiding known allergens can help you avoid puffiness around your eyes.

A variety of other cures can be helpful if you have baggy eyes, including:

• Decreasing your salt, alcohol and caffeine intake if you notice these substances contributing to your puffy eyes.
• Drinking more water — water can help reduce puffiness caused by dehydration and can also flush excess salt from your body.
• Tapping gently on your lower eyelids to help increase circulation under the eyes and reduce the appearance of bags.

If these methods don't succeed in relieving your baggy eyes, it may be time to seek medical treatment.

Doctors can use a variety of techniques to reduce or eliminate under-eye bags, including surgery, chemical peels and laser treatments to tighten the skin.