Why You Have Bags Under Your Eyes And What You Can Do About Them

[caption id="attachment_822465" align="aligncenter" width="1068"] Young woman with tasty macaroon on white background[/caption] Bags under the eyes are a curse that all women experience at some point. There is an entire sub-portion of the beauty industry targeted at addressing these, from plumping-up products to makeup. Bags can be very difficult to get a handle on; you can use the proper products to eliminate acne, find the best mascara to make your eyes pop, and still not feel confident because you have bags under your eyes. A lot of women accept under-eye bags as a part of life, but there could be an obvious and treatable cause of them, right under your nose. While some contributing factors cannot be helped, there are some surprising causes of under-eye bags that can be fixed pretty easily. Here is why you get bags under your eyes. [caption id="attachment_701314" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You aren’t sleeping the right amount

You’ve probably noticed your bags become more pronounced after a night of not sleeping enough, but have you noticed that that also happens when you sleep for 10 or 11 hours on the weekends? Sleeping too little or too much can cause bags.   [caption id="attachment_707904" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

Keep as regular of a sleep schedule as you can. Even if, one night, you don’t get enough sleep, don’t combat it the next night by sleeping for 12 hours because you may just make the matter worse.       [caption id="attachment_721762" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ve lost weight

If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, then you’ve probably noticed the shape of your face change. Your cheeks might shrink, leaving the skin around your eyes looking baggier.       [caption id="attachment_716690" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

You deserve to be rewarded for your hard work and your weight loss, and yet you’re stuck with this issue to address. It isn’t fair—but it happens. Fortunately, you can use fillers like collagen. If the issue is severe, you may feel the need to get a facelift.     [caption id="attachment_697214" align="alignleft" width="436"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, often results in low body temperature, which results in fluid retention. Fluid retention can cause your body to swell up at various points, and for some people, that happens around the eyes.     [caption id="attachment_623973" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

If you receive treatment for your hypothyroidism, this condition should clear itself up. In the meantime, don’t do things that can aggravate the condition like consume a lot of sodium, or fail to hydrate. [caption id="attachment_693881" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’re dehydrated

You may be retaining fluid, not because of any condition such as hypothyroidism, but simply because you are dehydrated. Have you ever noticed that your bags are more pronounced after a weekend of drinking alcohol? Alcohol dehydrates your body.   [caption id="attachment_624907" align="alignleft" width="460"] Corbis[/caption]

What you can do

Avoid salty foods, drink beverages with electrolytes like coconut water, and take it easy on the alcohol. If you must drink booze, have a full glass of water for every alcoholic beverage.       [caption id="attachment_623268" align="alignleft" width="422"] Corbis Images[/caption]

You’re getting older

As you get older, your muscle ligaments aren’t as strong and cannot contain fat structures as well as they used to. You can’t stop yourself from getting older (wouldn’t that be nice) but there are things you can do to prevent the signs of it.   [caption id="attachment_695405" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

Facial yoga. Yup, it’s a thing! Facial yoga involves using your fingers to gently move the muscles on your face, and move it into certain expressions. It’s exercise, for your face, and can prevent signs of aging. [caption id="attachment_708313" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Your mom had them

Puffy eyes are hereditary. Your mom may have given you an adorable nose and great hair, but she may have also given you those bags! What can you do—you love her.     [caption id="attachment_717239" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

If you know baggy eyes run in your family, then you should pay extra attention to the prevention tips on this list. The earlier you start healthy habits, like cutting back on sodium and doing facial yoga, the better chance you have at combating this hereditary trait.     [caption id="attachment_621581" align="alignleft" width="422"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Chronic conditions

Anemia, for example, often goes hand in hand with an iron deficiency, which can cause discoloration under the eyes. Eczema, which is usually just associated with dry and flaky skin, can cause saggy skin beneath the eyes.     [caption id="attachment_620401" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

Anemia and eczema are treatable and aren’t conditions you should just live with and accept. Your physician can help you make dietary changes and recommend supplements to treat anemia; your dermatologist can prescribe you eczema medication. [caption id="attachment_701847" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]  

Pollen season

Do your eyes get itchy around the Spring and Summer? Do you sneeze when you go outdoors? Do you have seasonal allergies? These types of allergies typically irritate the eyes and nose the most, causing you to aggressively rub these areas, which can lead to bags under the eyes. [caption id="attachment_720626" align="alignleft" width="490"] Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

If you need another reason to stay on top of your allergy medication during pollen season, consider your vanity.     [caption id="attachment_622476" align="alignleft" width="420"] Corbis[/caption]

You’re on your period or pregnant

Hormonal changes, like those that can come around your period or when you’re pregnant, can cause baggy eyes. If you want to have children, this will be a natural part of your pregnancy. As for menstruation, that’s inevitable for most of us.   [caption id="attachment_707042" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

Reduce your intake of sugar, gluten, soy and dairy when you’re hormones are going on a roller coaster—these can increase fluid retention. Also, add vitamin K to your diet when you’re menstruating or pregnant to increase circulation.     [caption id="attachment_697400" align="alignleft" width="514"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You don’t elevate your head at night

Speaking of circulation, your face needs it! But it doesn’t get much of it when you sleep on a thin pillow. If your head lies flat at night, then blood can’t move much in it.       [caption id="attachment_701349" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

What you can do

Sleep on a thicker pillow, or two thin ones stacked on each other at night, to increase circulation. This will probably help you breathe easier, too, which will help you sleep better ( another way to fight baggy eyes!)

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