How To Get Rid Of Puffy Eyes And Dark Circles
Originally published on May 2, 2015. Updated on July 17, 2025
Eye bags (dark circles, swelling or puffiness) are a common occurrence for many men and women. Eye bags are typically a cosmetic problem, although in some cases extreme puffiness can visually impair sufferers. Let’s take a close look at eye bags, including causes, prevention, and treatment.
Types of Eye Bags
While bags underneath the eye tend to be the most prevalent, eye bags can form around the upper eyelid as well:
- Upper eyelid bags – puffiness occurs when the development of excess tissue in the area combines with a decrease in skin elasticity.
- Lower eyelid bags – formed by a combination of facial volume loss, unnatural bulging of lower eyelid fat, and the descent of the cheek bones.
Causes of Eye Bags
There are many factors that spur the development of eye bags. Common causes include:
- Natural aging
- Genetics
- Chronic or acute sleep deprivation
- Fluid retention (stemming for hormonal fluxions or environmental issues)
- Allergies- which is a big issue in Texas with Cedar Fever.
- Smoking
- Persistent stress
- Dry eyes-which causes us to rub our eyes more frequently and blinking to keep the eye lubricated.
Lifestyle changes to Minimize Dark Circles
Get Your Beauty Sleep
One significant factor in dark circle development is inadequate sleep. A sleep deficiency results in eye puffiness (expansion of the skin around the eye) as well as the systematic reduction of blood circulation through the area; both of which cause the appearance of darkness. For this reason and others related to good health, get plenty of sleep each night. For healthy adults this equates to at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
Address Your Allergies
Common seasonal allergies like hay fever can cause discoloration under the eyes. The only way to treat dark circles resulting from allergens is to treat the allergy itself. This may mean avoiding contact with a specific allergen or taking prescribed medications. If you are unsure what is causing your allergies, schedule a visit with an allergist. They can run tests to see exactly what is causing your reactions and provide guidance on a treatment plan.
Treat Nasal Congestion
You may have noticed that during periods of nasal congestion dark under-eye circles develop. This is because this congestion is darkening and dilating the veins around your sinuses. If you routinely experience bouts of nasal congestion you may want to consider using a neti pot.
Eat Healthy
Dark circles and eye puffiness can both be attributed to lacking vitamin K and antioxidants in your diet. Additionally, B12 deficiency has also been tied to darkening the under the eye area. To combat any vitamin related deficit, eat a well-balanced diet and take vitamin supplements.
Quit Smoking
Yet another reason to quit smoking: regular cigarette use causes vascular issues that will make your blood vessels all over the body appear more prominent. This includes blood vessels under the eyes which causes darkening.
Treatment Options for Eye Bags
There are many ways to prevent the development of eye bags or reduce their visual effects. The efficacy of each treatment option can vary greatly depending on a person’s individual need (specifically the cause of their eye bags and their prevalence).
An Ounce of Prevention
Depending on the causes of your eye bags there are some simple yet effective ways to treat early stage eye bags:
- Make sure to get a sufficient amount of sleep each night. For most adults that’s between 6-8 hours each night.
- Use a second pillow to elevate your head when you sleep. Elevating will minimize the buildup of fluids around the eyes while you sleep.
- Stay on top of your allergies by using prescribed medication when applicable. Antihistamines will decrease the swelling and histamine response we get from external allergies.
- Use sunscreen daily and avoid excessive sun exposure.
- Drink lots of water to stay well hydrated.
- Limit your consumption of sodium (salt) and alcohol.
- Use a neti-pot to regularly clean your sinuses. This is very helpful during the allergy season so that
- You don’t get the build- up of fluid in the sinus cavity that will cause the under eyes to look puffy.
- Always remove your makeup at night before going to sleep. Especially if you leave your eye makeup on it can clog your tear ducts.
- If you’re a smoker, quit!
Chill Out
The regular application of cold to the eye region can greatly reduce puffiness. Grab a frozen compress, cold cucumber slices, or chilled tea bags and apply to both the upper and lower eyelid for 5 minutes twice a day.
Eye Creams
Regardless of the cause of your dark circles there are some fantastic eye creams on the market that can address discoloration and puffiness. A few of our favorites include Skinceuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex, Revision Teamine Eye Complex, and SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair. With long term use these products can dramatically improve the appearance of your under-eye area.
Concealer
While addressing dark circles through lifestyle changes and eye creams can take time, there is something you can do right now more immediate results: use a good concealer to hide the discoloration. For the best results choose high quality concealer that matches your skin tone and dust light translucent powder over the area after application.
Injectables
Dermal fillers such as Belotero or Restylane Silk can be used to add more volume in the tear trough area. Both of these fillers are very smooth and soft and will give a nice smooth appearance in the tear trough area especially with the delicate skin under the eyes. The duration is 6-9 months. Juvederm Voluma can be added to the midface to help smooth the transition from the lower eye lid to cheek junction. This filler is non hydrophilic so it does not have the swelling features of other fillers on the market. Juvederm Voluma has a longevity of two years. Fat harvested from the patient via a fat transfer procedure can also be used. Given the sensitive area of the face, it is extremely important to choose a physician or provider with lots of experience for any injectable procedure.
Cosmetic Surgery
The most effective and permanent solution for eye bags is often plastic surgery. Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a permanent way to remove excess skin and tissue from the upper and lower eyelids
Kelly Wala is a Registered Nurse with a Baccalaureate Degree of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University. As an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist for the past 10 years Kelly specialized in a full complement of non-surgical aesthetic services such as facial injectables, laser and light therapy, body contouring, and skin care. Kelly was the first in Texas to perform the Injectable Threadlift. Kelly is a Faculty trainer for Allergan Facial Aesthetics and Coolsculpting as well as a Faculty trainer for Galderma Facial Aesthetics and Sculptra. Aesthetics
Disclaimer: The contents of the Westlake Dermatology website, including text, graphics, and images, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for direct medical advice from your physician or other qualified professional.
Great tips! I have issues with dark circles even though I think I get enough sleep. I’ll try some of this out and come back to let you know how it goes!
Great article. I’m having some issues with dark circles and will give these tips a try!
Great post, i was wondering if things like applying cucumbers can really work?
Hi Isabelle, thanks for reading this post and submitting your question. Applying cool cucumbers to the skin can actually help reduce swelling and redness in some cases, I would encourage you to give it try! For individuals who experience moderate to severe issues around the eyes there are also other non-surgical treatments.
Wonderful post. I am having some issues with dark circles, I am planning to give a try to Posh Naturals Cucumber Eye Cream suggested by one of my friends. I have seen their reviews are positive.
I didn’t realize that dry eyes can cause puffiness and dark circles. When I don’t wear contacts, my eyes are dry all day, and I end up with unsightly eye bags that make me look 20 years older than I should. I’ve tried night creams, but they just don’t work. I’m thinking about trying derma filler injections soon, or possibly surgery.
I had Juvederm treatment last week. It was my first treatment and I was really scared until I saw an amazing result.
Dermalmd under eye serum really helps with dark circles and eye bags! Mine are about halfway gone now which is amazing considering that I’m in my 40’s and never get enough sleep. I don’t think it’s possible for them to fully go away because of lack of sleep but dermalmd serum absolutely helps.
Hi, I have under eye wrinkles and hollow dark circles. I am 40 but with my eye problems I look like I could be 50. Can you please help me? Thank you!
Hi Saima, sorry to hear about your issue. We have a few different treatments that can work. The best choice will depend on the specific characteristics of your skin. Please give us a call at 512.328.3376 for a consultation, we can discuss the different options with you!
Thanks again,
WD Staff
I had upper lid surgery back in the late winter, but my lowers are what really needs it. What I need to know is how much will it cost to do the lowers only? I live south near Westgate and Davis Lane and want Dr Constantinides do the procedure…I would like to come in for a consult soon, will be ready to do it in mid-October, maybe sooner, depends on my finances. 🙂
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for submitting your comment and we look forward to seeing you soon! In terms of procedure cost, I think it would be best to get you in for an in-person assessment. That way we can provide an exact cost rather than a broad range. Please let us know when you are ready to come in!
Thanks,
WD Staff
As I am now aware that eye bags can be caused by dry eyes, I thought that one should see an eye doctor to cure it first before getting rid of eye bags. In my opinion, dry eyes can cause blurrier eyes the longer it is left untreated. With your article, it has convinced me to find a doctor to check my eyes so that I will get it treated immediately once an eye problem has been spotted.
Nice tips. I have tried so many thinks to get rid of the circles that everything new is welcome.
I’ve suffered form dark circles and puffiness under my eyes since I was a kid. I got Dermalmd under eye treatment serum over a month ago. I’ve been using it almost every morning and evening. The serum is excellent. Goes on easy, does not leave a residue and you can see the darkness becoming lighter right away. After a week of use, I saw a drastic difference in the bag under my eyes. The darkness and puffiness were much better.
Great tips! I have been trying to reduce my dark circles. Will keep these in mind. I am using the undereye repair oil by Skog currently as well and it is really helpful! It works well for puffy eyes too.