Sugar is added to nearly everything we eat, back could this habit be the cause of your under-eye bags?
According to SugarByHalf.com, sugar can cause under-eye bags due to its dehydrating effects on the body. When you consume excess sugar your kidneys have to work harder to eliminate it, and this process requires more water usage. As a result, the skin beneath your eyes may appear looser and puffy if you aren’t keeping hydrated.
Keep reading to find out how else sugar can affect your skin, as well as foods to avoid for puffy and eyes, and steps you can take to eliminate them for good!
How Does Sugar Affect The Skin And How Much Is Too Much?
While sugar is an exciting addition to any tasty treat, it’s certainly not doing your skin and health any favors!
According to TheSydneyMorningHerald, excess sugar can result in a process called glycation, whereby toxic compounds called Advanced Glycation End Products are produced. This can result in sagging skin, dark circles, wrinkles, diabetes, and even damage to organs and the blood. To avoid this, you should not consume more than 24 grams per day.
That said, sugar isn’t the only thing that wreaks havoc with your skin and health. There are other foods that you should be extra wary about eating, which brings me to my next point.
Which Other Foods Cause Under-Eye Bags?
When it comes to under-eye bags, there are certain food varieties that can exacerbate the problem. To help you avoid this, I’ve listed below some of the most common culprits to watch out for:
Salt
Salt is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to those unsightly under-eye bags. The reason being, the sodium found in salt dehydrates the body which causes it to retain more fluid. This fluid build-up is often noticeable beneath the eyes and the rest of the body, and the only way to get rid of it is to drink more water and eat less salt.
As difficult as it can be, try not to add extra salt to meals. This is especially true for fast foods as they almost always contain excess sodium, so you’re going to end up exceeding your daily recommended intake of 1 teaspoon per day.
Dairy
Dairy can also trigger inflammation in the body and this is linked with puffy eyes and redness, with some common culprits including milk, yogurt, and ice cream. Puffy eyes can be particularly noticeable in people with lactose intolerance, as their body cannot break down the sugars in dairy and this triggers a bad reaction.
If you often feel uncomfortable and bloated after eating dairy with puffiness beneath the eyes, then you may be lactose intolerant or highly sensitive to dairy. If this is the case, consider giving it a break for a while and observe any difference in your puffy eyes.
Caffeine and Carbonated Drinks
While it’s true that coffee grounds applied directly to the area under the eyes can help to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags, the consumption of too much caffeine can do the opposite. This is because too much caffeine causes the body to become dehydrated, which in turn causes fluid retention and puffiness.
Carbonated drinks are also very bad for your under-eye bags as they usually contain a lot of added sugar.
Alcohol
If you’ve ever hit the town for a heavy night of drinking, you’ll know that you look less than flawless the following day. A red and puffy face isn’t uncommon, with your under-eyes taking the biggest hit. This is mainly due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol, as well as the toxins it contains.
This is why many people notice their face has slimmed down considerably when they cut down on their alcohol consumption. If you can’t stop altogether, at least try and cut down and drink plenty of water in between drinks!
Hot Peppers
Hot peppers are a member of the nightshade family and contain a compound known as capsaicin, which is notorious for giving food that incredibly spicy taste. Capsaicin can result in body tissue becoming inflamed, and this includes your under-eye area.
If you often notice that your under-eye bags are more noticeable after eating spicy food, then this could be the underlying cause.
How Can Under-Eye Bags Be Removed Permanently?
If you’re sick and tired of under-eye bags making you feel self-conscious, then you may be considering getting them removed permanently. That said, below are some effective and viable options you can try:
Fillers
Unlike botox, fillers are a much more subtle option that involves injecting the skin with hyaluronic acid. While fillers can get pricey, they leave the skin appearing smoother and plumper with a much more youthful appearance.
In the case of under-eye bags, fillers will be injected below the under-eyes and on the cheeks to created a lifted appearance. Fillers can last anywhere from 6-12 months, meaning you will have to maintain your appointments if you want your under-eyes to remain smooth and flat.
In terms of pricing, you can expect to pay around $675 per injection, with most jobs requiring at least 4 for under-eye removal. Not exactly cheap, is it?
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels are a fantastic way to erode old, wrinkled skin and reveal glowing, tout skin beneath. Essentially, acids are applied to the skin to thoroughly exfoliate and remove dead skin so that newer skin can be revealed. The great thing about this is that it can last years, as long as you look after your skin and avoid excessive sun exposure.
In terms of pricing, you can expect to pay between $300-$700 for the average chemical peel, which is certainly cheaper than dermal fillers!
Laser Resurfacing
This next treatment involves the use of a laser to firm up the skin and reduce the appearance of saggy under-eyes. This procedure helps to stimulate the growth of collagen for more youthful skin, and it also removes old, wrinkled skin.
Similar to a chemical peel, results can last for years, depending on how well you care for and maintain your skin.
Surgical Lower Eyelid Lift
If you’re brave enough to go under the knife, then you can opt for a surgical lower eyelid lift. This procedure involves the tightening of the muscles beneath the eye and the movement of fat under the eye area, resulting in smooth, flawless under-eyes.
In terms of the results, this should permanently remove the appearance of under-eye bags, meaning that you shouldn’t have to go back for any more procedures once this is complete.
In terms of cost, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,500 to $6,000. This depends on which doctor you see, where you live, as well as the severity of the under-eye bags.
Final Thoughts
Under-eye bags can generally be reduced by simply avoiding triggering habits such as sodium, alcohol, sugar, and spicy foods. That said, some people may suffer from genetic under-eye bags which may require a more serious approach.
If your under-eye bags are causing you to feel self-conscious and nothing you try seems to work, then it may be a good idea to book a doctor’s consultation and see which surgical options you are able to pursue.
