Under eye bags

There are several possible causes. Volume loss in the mid-face creates a hollowed shadow that reads as tiredness. Fat pads behind the lower lid can herniate forward, creating a structural puffiness. Skin laxity, dark pigmentation, and lifestyle factors can also contribute. The dominant cause is identified at consultation. 

If your main issue is loose skin with fine lines, wrinkles and crepey skin under the eye then the laser eye lift is a good option to address these concerns. If you also have hollowing and volume loss, then we would usually recommend combining it with volume restoring injections. If you have prominent fat pads below the eyes, then a surgical blepharoplasty might be the best option for you.

Lower eyelid surgery is a tricky operation, and it doesn’t fix all of the concerns that people have with the appearance of their lower eyelids. If you have crepe skin or fine lines, then it is likely that your surgeon will recommend laser eye lift in addition to surgery to achieve the best result. Likewise, unless you have some sort of volume restoration (for example fat transfer or filler injections), then a lower blepharoplasty won’t address the hollows under the eye. That’s why it’s not as simple as surgery vs laser being better than each other. The best solution for your lower eyelids will depend a lot on your own anatomy and the precise things you want to improve.

We use dermal fillers which contain a local anaesthetic known as lidocaine, to reduce discomfort. Topical numbing cream is also an option for anxious patients undergoing dermal fillers.

For laser treatments, the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, meaning you are awake throughout and free to go home immediately after.

Following mid-face filler, the under-eye area may feel sore and look slightly swollen; however this has normally disappeared by the next morning. You will be able to resume your normal activities by the following day. If bruising does occur, it is normally easily covered with post-procedure makeup, though this cannot be applied until 24 hours following treatment. The final results of dermal filler can be appreciated in approximately two weeks.

For the laser eye lift, most people are healed in around 7-10 days. During this time the skin on your lower eyelids will be red and swollen and oozing and you will not want to go outside. However, you will usually feel well within yourself otherwise and most patients are quite happy to work from home during the healing period.

The effect of the mid-face filler is instant: the under-eye area is smooth and bright, and the upper face looks noticeably more rested.

For the laser eye lift, you will see initial results in around one week, although it takes several months to appreciate the full, final outcome. The improvement in your skin will be permanent, in that your skin will always be better than if you hadn’t had the treatment. However, the procedure doesn’t stop you from ageing in the future and so it is likely that you will want additional procedures in the future.

Most patients enjoy their results for around twelve months, although this varies depending on the individual, the product used, and how quickly the body naturally breaks filler down. 

Treatment costs depend on what is causing the under-eye bags and which approach is recommended. At McKeown Medical, lower eyebag surgery starts from £5,150, laser eye lift from £2,575, tear trough filler from £410, and cheek filler from £620. We will confirm the most appropriate option and full cost following your consultation.

Suitability depends on what is actually causing the appearance of your bags. Most patients are candidates for at least one of the treatments available, whether non-surgical or surgical. The consultation determines which approach will deliver the best result for your individual anatomy. 

Yes. Many patients benefit from a combination approach, since the appearance of bags often has more than one underlying cause. Tear trough and cheek filler are commonly combined, and surgical patients often pair lower eyelid surgery with laser resurfacing to address skin quality at the same time.