There are a number of different factors that may cause puffiness or “bags” around the eyes. Edema, or swelling around the eyes, refers to an excess accumulation of fluids which can be caused by a variety of different factors such as salty diets, allergies and sinus problems, dehydration, lack of sleep, stress, crying, aging, and genetics. Because the skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin in the body, swelling in this area can be very prominent.
The main cause of baggy eyes is aging. As we age, the fatty tissue that ordinarily remains within the bony eye socket begins to push forward and fill in spaces below the eye. In some cases, there may be an underlying medical condition such as thyroid disease, an allergic reaction, eye infection, or kidney failure, which may be a contributing cause.
Treatments include chemical peels such as a TCA Peel, beneath the eyes, to aid in skin tightening and wrinkle reduction; prescription skincare products such as eye creams and moisturizers; and surgical intervention with a blepharoplasty procedure, which refers to the removal of excess fatty tissue and skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids, as well as tightening the skin and muscles to reduce puffiness and wrinkles.