Introduction
Contrary to the name, the so-called tear sacs are not a tear reservoir which swells up due to too much or too little crying. In a healthy state, the actual lacrimal sac is not visible from the outside and runs in a bone canal on the side of the nose. The tears that flush the eye are collected here and directed further into the nose, which is why your nose “runs” when you cry. The swelling commonly known as bags under the eyes is either a short-term swelling of the eyelid or a permanent slackening of the skin and underlying tissues.
The causes
The predisposition for this swelling of the lacrimal sacs is genetic and the flaccidity of the eyelids can appear very early. In most people, however, this change does not develop until old age and even then it varies from person to person. Connective tissue damaging influences like a lot of sun or a frequent swelling of the eyelid can promote the development of lachrymal sacs, but they are still no clear evidence for an unhealthy lifestyle.
What is the best way to remove them?
Lachrymal sacs are primarily a cosmetic problem for the persons concerned. There are different options available to remove or reduce them. One option is creams that are supposed to reduce the swelling and are also effective against wrinkles.
There are various products on the market with different active ingredients. Most of them are endogenous active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid or urea, which are concentrated and can be applied superficially to the skin. They provide the skin with sufficient moisture and lead to a smoothing of the skin texture.
Household remedies are another alternative for reducing lachrymal sacs. Numerous remedies are suitable for this purpose, which can be purchased at a reasonable price. For example, you can put cool slices of cucumber on your eyes or apply a curd mass.
The active ingredients contained in these products provide the skin with the necessary liquid. Furthermore, one can also put cool tea bags, preferably black or green tea bags, on the eyes. The tanning agents lead to a reduction of the swelling.
In addition, general measures such as getting enough sleep, a healthy diet and drinking enough should be considered. Stress should also be avoided as it has a negative effect on the regeneration of the body. In addition, massage of the skin under the eye is recommended, as the lymph drainage is stimulated and thus the swelling is reduced.
If you wish, you can also use oil (e.g. sesame oil). The oil supplies the sensitive skin with moisture and cares for it at the same time. Alternatively, lymph drainage can also be performed by a dermatologist or beautician.
If the above-mentioned possibilities have not led to the desired goal and the tear sacs even increase, an operation can be considered. For this purpose the slack connective tissue is removed and the skin is tightened. Although the results are usually satisfactory, one should be aware that every operation involves risks and that the removal of tear sacs is rather a cosmetic problem.
There are numerous creams on the market that promise to reduce eye swelling. Some of them contain completely different active ingredients and some of them are combined. The application of these creams should on the one hand moisturize the skin and on the other hand strengthen the connective tissue.
The active ingredients that are most frequently used are the following: However, before you decide to buy a cream, you should read the corresponding testimonials. After all, there are also creams that do not have the promised effect. Alternatively, you can visit a dermatologist and get advice from him or her.
Based on his experience, he will be able to prescribe the right cream for you.
- Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that will be produced by the body itself. It can bind water molecules and thus store them.
It moisturizes the skin and provides elasticity
- Urea is also an endogenous molecule that provides the skin with moisture
- Vitamin A gives the skin vitality and protects the cells from oxidation
- Q10 is a coenzyme in the body, which also protects the body from oxidation; it promotes cell renewal and strengthens connective tissue
- Collagen is a protein that bundles itself into strands (so-called collagen fibrils). It makes up about 60% of our connective tissue. However, this protein is too large to penetrate the skin barrier.In creams, collagen is mainly used to moisturize.
There are many home remedies available that have a decongestant effect and at the same time moisturize the skin.
A well-known remedy is cucumber slices. They provide the skin with moisture. However, the effect does not last very long.
Furthermore one can use a quark mask. This also provides the skin with moisture and leads to a reduction of swelling due to the cooling effect. For a longer-term effect, the use of hyaluronic acid is recommended.
Hyaluronic acid is an endogenous molecule that can bind a lot of water molecules. Hyaluronic acid is absorbed into the skin and leads to a “cushioning” effect. This effect leads to an optical smoothing.
Another alternative is the use of aloe vera. Aloe vera has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant and has numerous active ingredients. It gives the skin vitality and promotes the production of collagen.
In addition, it also acts as a natural anti-aging agent. To stimulate the lymphatic drainage, the skin under the eye can be massaged. For this purpose, you can also use a nourishing oil (e.g. sesame oil) to provide the skin with additional moisture.
For the massage there are also special rollers made of natural stone. These rollers train the facial muscles, help to remove toxins and give the skin vitality. Another alternative to minimize the swelling are tea bags.
You can let them steep and put them on your eyes. You will find more information on this topic in the next section. Furthermore, substances that damage the connective tissue should be avoided.
These include alcohol, nicotine and excessive coffee consumption. Too little sleep and too much stress also have a negative effect. A healthy, low-salt diet and a sufficient amount to drink are recommended.
Tea bags can reduce the swelling under the eyes. Black and green tea bags are particularly suitable for this. The tea contains tannins as an active ingredient, which constrict the blood vessels.
In addition, antioxidants are present, which protect the cells from aging and even stimulate cell renewal. For use, the tea bag should be pulled for a few minutes and then cooled. Afterwards you can put it on your eyes for about 10 minutes.
Alternatively you can dip absorbent cotton pads into the cooled tea and dab your eyes with it. Laser treatment is a relatively new method of removing bags under the eyes. It is a minimally invasive procedure, i.e. a very gentle procedure.
The application is recommended for mild forms of lachrymal sacs. The treatment is performed by a plastic surgeon. The surgeon uses a laser to remove the excess skin and associated fatty tissue.
The active principle is based on the vaporization of the skin by the intensity of the light rays. This stimulates the body’s collagen production and new, vital cells replace the old ones. The laser treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, i.e. you can go home the same day.
The advantage of this treatment is that there are no scars and the risks are lower than with surgery. A disadvantage, however, is the lack of knowledge about the long-term success, since this procedure is relatively new. Depending on the stage of the lacrimal sacs, the surgical correction is carried out.
If the condition is weak, the correction is performed from the inner side of the eyelid and scarring is prevented. In case of a more pronounced form, the operation is performed from the outside (below the lash line). In order to remove the slackened tissue, an incision is made, the excess skin and the associated fatty tissue are removed.
Then the skin is tightened. When the operation is performed from the outside, a slight scar remains, which is hardly noticeable and can also be easily covered with make-up. The operation of tear sacs is almost always a cosmetic operation and is not financed by the health insurance.
It should be remembered that after the operation, the previous fat pad that was above the blood vessels is removed. For this reason, a bluish shining through of the veins can occur, which can intensify the dark circles around the eyes. Special risks during the surgical removal of the lacrimal sacs are infections, healing disorders, scarring, postoperative bleeding with bruising.
In addition, temporary sensory disturbances in the operated area may occur. In addition, there is an increased risk of distortion of the eyelid margin (ectropion) due to the increased tension, especially when tightening the lower lid. In rare cases, this can result in insufficient lid closure.This can lead to drying of the cornea, which, if not treated or not treated at all, can lead to corneal opacity and associated blindness. Follow-up examinations by the doctor and self-observation by the patient are therefore necessary.
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