7 foolproof ways to say goodbye to under-eye bags

Kicking up your heels from dusk till dawn? The party season could be to blame for puffy eyes and dark circles. Here’s how to get rid of them.

From early mornings with the family to late-night celebrations, the festive season can be exhausting. 

But sleep deprivation has consequences, including being harmful to the skin.

Often, the first sign of no sleep appears under the eyes and, before too long, you’ve got lingering dark circles and bags that just won’t budge.

What causes eye bags?

According to GP Dr Vivek Eranki, eye bags are often caused by stress, including a lack of sleep; fluid retention; and ageing. 

“Other causes are allergies, genetics and various medical conditions,” Dr Eranki says.

“If dark circles are only visible in ‘selfies’, this could be as a result of lighting casting a shadow in the lower eye from the orbital rim.” 

As we enter the new year, it’s time to say goodbye to under-eye issues for good – here are seven ways to do it.

1. Cool compresses

Treating puffy eyes and dark circles can be as easy as taking some time out to apply a cold compress.

Place a chilled eye mask or cold cucumber slices over your eyes for 10 minutes to see immediate results – the low temperature constricts blood vessels, which reduces swelling and lowers inflammation to help you look fresh for your next party.

2. Get some rest

On average, most adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, but this can be difficult to achieve during the festive period. 

“Rest, sleep and hydration always improve the appearance [of dark circles],” Dr Eranki says. So, if you’ve been burning the candle at both ends over the holidays, make sure you get your beauty sleep – even if that means taking a midday nap. 

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3. Derma fillers

“Tear trough dermal fillers and fat can be used to augment ageing tissue and fill deficits caused by ageing,” Dr Eranki says. 

But, he adds, while this treatment can be very effective, it doesn’t last long and is risky, so it should only be administered by a highly trained doctor.  

4. Microneedling

If you’re not a fan of fillers but want long-lasting results, Dr Eranki suggests microneedling, which stimulates collagen production and can last for three to five months. 

“Microneedling results in improvements where dark circles are as a result of collagen depletion,” Dr Eranki says. 

5. Colour correction

Avoiding needles in general? Stick to the skin’s surface level by introducing a colour corrector. 

“A little trick is to go back to the old colour wheel,” ProCosmediq founder Niki Cirillo says. 

“Colours that are opposite of one another cancel each other out.” 

So, as dark circles are typically blue or green, try an orange shade to neutralise them.

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6. Up your water intake

We get it – it’s party season. You don’t have to drop the bubbly altogether, but make sure you’re staying hydrated. 

Alcohol is a diuretic – and because it causes your body and skin to lose fluid, it can make your dark circles worse. 

“While it’s important to treat skin from the outside, it is equally important to support your skin from the inside,” Niki says.

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7. Put serums to the test

“Some patients find caffeine-based serums and eye creams effective,” Dr Eranki says.

“These cause vaso-constriction, which reduces the darkness under the eyes.” 

For best results, apply serums daily, and look out for hydrating and brightening ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

Written by Alexandra Feiam.