Do under-eye bags make you appear exhausted and older than you actually are? The good news is you no longer have to keep hiding them under thick makeup! You can now explore fillers or Botox for under-eye bags to reduce puffiness quickly without undergoing surgery.
In this post, we compared fillers and Botox in North Hollywood to see which works best for under-eye bags. Keep reading, and let’s help you choose the right treatment!
What causes under-eye bags?
To understand how Botox and fillers work for under-eye bags, let’s briefly discuss what causes them in the first place. The following are the common causes of under-eye bags:
- Aging. As we age, our skin becomes loose and thin, plus the eyelid muscles also become weak. When this happens, the fat that’s supposed to be around the eyes settles into the lower eyelids, which causes a baggy appearance.
- Fluid retention. Your under-eye puffiness could also be due to trapped fluids. It could be caused by your sleeping position, high salt intake, hormonal changes, and more.
- Poor sleeping habits. Lack of sleep can easily make your eyes puffy as the blood vessels under the skin swell. It also increases fluid retention under the eyes, making the bagginess worse.
- Allergies. Allergic reactions can also trigger inflammation around your eyes. If you suspect this, make sure you consult a physician first before getting fillers or Botox to reduce the puffiness.
- Genetics. Some people are predisposed to under-eye bags due to their genes. If under-eye bags run in your family, it’s likely you’ll also develop it later in life.
- Medical conditions. Certain conditions, such as thyroid problems, can make your under-eye area puffy and swollen. As with allergies, we suggest consulting with a licensed physician to know the best solution for this problem.
How does Botox work for under-eye bags?
Can you get Botox for under-eye bags? While Botox is dubbed as ‘wrinkle eraser’, it can also relieve bagginess under the eyes. We do this by strategically injecting small amounts of Botox around the under-eye area to relax the muscles, which makes it appear smoother.
Aside from reducing the appearance of your under-eye bags, these Botox injections will also target surrounding wrinkles. You can also request additional Botox injections for nearby spots like your crow’s feet for a much younger-looking result.
However, you should know that Botox itself won’t ‘fix’ under eye bags. It can only reduce its appearance, but unless you tackle the root cause of the puffiness, you won’t completely get rid of this condition.
Also, a Botox cream for under-eye bags won’t provide the same results as actual Botox injections. While it can help to some extent, the results are limited to its topical level.
Pros of Botox for under-eye bags
- Non-invasive and can be scheduled on your lunch hour
- Quick treatments that only take 30 minutes or less
- Temporary effects if you’re not yet willing to commit to a permanent solution
- It can also target surrounding wrinkles to improve your eye area better.
- Natural-looking Botox for under-eye bags before and after results
Cons of Botox for under-eye bags
- It can only reduce the puffiness under your eyes but not ‘fix’ them.
- Not suitable if the under-eye bags are related to certain medical conditions
- Botox for under-eye bags side effects include mild pain, swelling, and potential bruising – all of which will resolve on their own naturally.
How do fillers work for under-eye bags?
Similar to Botox, facial fillers can also improve the appearance of your under-eye bags. But instead of relaxing certain muscles as Botox does, fillers will ‘fill’ the hollowness under your eyes.
We do this by injecting controlled amounts of fillers below the fat pad of your eye area. This way, your lower eyelid will blend smoothly with your cheek, eliminating the groove that creates a baggy appearance. Through this, the dermal filler can also lighten the shadows that make your eyes look darker than it really is.
For this, we typically use hyaluronic acid-based fillers for faster results. In general, you’ll enjoy a less puffy under-eye area for up to 6 months or a year with this filler treatment.
However, you should note that dark shadowing due to pigment or vascular issues can’t be treated with fillers or Botox.
Pros of fillers of under eye bags
- Fast and non-invasive treatment that can be done in under an hour
- You’ll restore lost volume under the eyes, making you look younger.
- Like Botox, dermal filler results are temporary in case you’re not 100% happy with how it looks.
- Some filler types (PLLA and Ca OH) stimulate collagen production to make your under-eye area firmer.
Cons of fillers of under eye bags
- Like Botox, fillers can’t ‘fix’ or ‘remove’ your under-eye bags.
- Facial fillers may not be a suitable solution if you have too much fat under the eyes.
Is Botox or filler better for under-eye bags?
Both Botox and dermal fillers can help with under-eye bags. However, certain situations are best addressed with one of these treatments over the other.
Here’s a quick rundown to help you decide whether you need fillers or Botox injections for under-eye bags:
You might need an under-eye bag Botox if…
- Your under-eye bags are worsened by certain muscle activities around your face.
- You also want to target wrinkles around the eyes.
- You’re aiming for a more subtle under-eye enhancement.
You might need under-eye bag fillers if…
- Your under-eye bags are due to hollowness or loss of volume between the eyelid and cheek.
- You have prominent tear troughs that create a shadow effect, making your under-eye area look darker and more hollow.
Take note that fillers and Botox will have very little effect if your under-eye bags are due to fluid retention, fat deposits, or lingering medical conditions. For these, we highly suggest that you seek the advice of a licensed physician.
Additional tips to reduce under-eye bags
To make sure your Botox or filler treatment will work its magic on your under-eye area, you should also do your part. Here are some of the tips you should keep in mind:
- Get enough sleep. We can’t stress this enough: sleep is probably the most crucial aspect of skincare. Always aim to clock at least 7 to 9 hours of slumber per night to promote circulation and reduce your skin’s inflammatory responses.
- Keep an eye on your salt intake. Too much salt in your system will lead to water retention. That means puffy and baggy under-eyes. With this, consider cutting back on salty food – it’s also good for your heart, by the way.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration reduces skin elasticity, and it could also lead to fluid retention as your body’s defense mechanism kicks in. On top of that, your facial skin will look thin, which will highlight the swollen blood vessels underneath. With that said, drinking 2 to 3 liters of water throughout the day should be on your to-do list.
- Elevate your head while sleeping. To help drain trapped fluids under your eyes, you should prop your head higher than the rest of your body. This will prevent fluids from pooling under your eyes.
- Protect against harmful UV rays. Always wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your eye area from harmful sun rays. This will also keep you from wrinkle-causing squinting.
Interested in Botox or fillers for your puffy under-eyes?
If you have baggy under-eye areas, Pure Skin Laser Center can help! We provide professional and FDA-approved Botox and filler treatments to make your face look younger. Our licensed specialist can also assess your skin condition and advise which of these two treatments will suit you best.
At Pure Skin Laser Center, we have 10+ years of experience in aesthetic nursing and over a thousand happy clients. You’ll be in good hands when you decide to try these rejuvenating treatments in our medical spa.
Aside from your under-eye area, we also provide Botox and filler treatments all over the face. We can enhance your brows, lips, jaw, chin, cheek, and more with our tried-and-tested treatments.
Do you have more questions about Botox or fillers? Or are you ready to schedule your treatment? Feel free to contact us today, and our specialist will be there to assist you!
