Eye bags are a common beauty concern for most people. Unattractive puffy spots under the eyes can make anyone seem tired, stressed, or older. Eye bags happen for many reasons, including not enough sleep, getting older, genes holding onto water, and even allergies. Some folks deal with them for a short time, while others face them all the time. It's no surprise that with all these causes, people want to find good ways to shrink or get rid of them. Red light therapy is one new treatment that's getting attention. But does it help to remove bags under the eyes? Let's take a closer look at the facts.
What are Eye Bags and Their Common Causes?
Bags under the eyes are a result of slight swelling or puffiness beneath the pupils. These include but not limited to the following causes of eye bags:
- Insufficient Sleep: If you do not sleep enough, fluid fills up in the tissues under your eyes. Therefore, they will become puffy, and if this occurs for a long time, it turns into permanent eye bags.
- Aging: As people grow older, most of their collagen and elasticity diminish in their skin, hence the area below the eye becomes saggy. This may cause the fat that normally supports the eyeballs to move downwards, sometimes causing a bulge.
- Genetics: Some individuals are more susceptible to having eye bags because of heredity. The likelihood is that if your parents have issues with baggy eyes, you are likely also going to have them.
- Water Retention: Retaining water somewhere in your body from salty foods, crying, fluctuation of hormonal glands, or any other reason, causing puffiness under the eyes.
- Allergies and Sinus Problems: Allergic reactions or other conditions like sinusitis might lead to puffy eyes.
It is clear from these various causes that there is no single solution for these eye bags. However, red light therapy has been around for quite some time now and is becoming more popular as a possible treatment method. So what really is red light therapy and how does it work?
What Is Red Light Therapy?
RLT is also called low-level light therapy (LLLT) delivers waves of red and near-infrared waves of light from light-emitting diodes to a person's skin. These light waves have a range in their wavelength of 600–1100 nm to penetrate into the skin, thus stimulating cellular energy production and regeneration. Unlike ultraviolet light, which can injure skin, red and near-infrared light actually initiates the healing and even partly reduces inflammation.
Studies on red light therapy have been conducted in regard to an assortment of skin conditions:
- Wrinkles: RLT is believed to increase the collagen level, which may reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- Scars: Therapy can boost tissue repair and enhance the scar's look.
- Wounds: RLT can work to speed up recovery from wounds and help regenerate blood flow and cellular regeneration.
How Red Light Therapy Might Help Eye Bags?
Red light therapy device shows promise in treating dark circles and reducing eye bags. Here's how it may help:
Promotes Blood Flow to Thinning Under-Eye Skin
Poor circulation is among the leading causes of under-eye puffiness. The eye skin is already thinner than the skin of the rest of the face, more susceptible to fluid retention and showing the blood vessels clearly. The red light augments circulation, reduces the puffiness, and lightens dark circles for the overall look of healthier skin.
Increases Collagen Production
Collagen is an important protein in the structure and elasticity of the skin, and thus, it is described with high regard toward the maintenance of a pretty and lively skin appearance. Collagen decreases in production with age, leaving the skin sagging and wrinkled. Red light therapy increases the development of collagen in the body; hence, it thickens the skin under the eye.
Promotes Cellular Regeneration
Red-light therapy stimulates the mitochondria in the cells to improve energy production. This energy boost in the cell can further aid in the repair of damaged skin cells, making the under-eye area look more refreshed. It is beneficial, more particularly for those who have eye bags for any reason, like sleep deprivation or exposure to the sun, among others.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation may make eye bags look even worse, especially when they are caused by allergies or sinus problems. Red light therapy can work on such swelling and thereby improve all the appearance-related functionalities of an under-eye area. While the science behind it is promising, one has to remember that results can be varied from one person to another. Studies have shown that people experience dramatic change after applying this therapy. Red light therapy is viewed as an alternative that is mainly deemed convenient and safe.
Typical Treatment Process
If you are thinking of red light therapy for eye bags, it may be important to learn about the whole process of treatment.
Treatment Sessions
Red light treatment will usually involve an LED panel or targeted device. Timing can range anywhere from 3 to 15 minutes depending on the device and the area being treated. A targeted device may be better when treating eye bags for a more targeted flow of light.
Application
The device is positioned close to the face during the treatment, mainly with the eyes closed. Some people like to wear goggles for extra protection, but normally, the light is safe to the vision under the intended operating circumstances. The aim is to deliver the red and near-infrared light to the skin without causing discomfort or overheating.
Frequency
Typically, treatments are best when done 3-5 times a week over the course of a month. Following progress, one can shift to maintenance treatments and implement them less frequently. The key is that the benefit of red light therapy occurs over time.
Combining with Lifestyle Changes
While at times red light therapy is useful on its own, it is usually most effective when combined with other healthful habits: getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, avoiding excessive sun, and following a good skincare regimen.
What to look for in a device?
Just in case you decide to give red light therapy for eye bags a try on your own at home, select the perfect device with the implementation of the following considerations
FDA-Cleared Devices
To guarantee safety and effectiveness, it is important to get devices that have FDA clearance. Such devices have been tested to comply with standard safety measures in place.
Wavelength Range
For eye bags, you have to look for a device that puts off red with a near-infrared wavelength, 600 to 700 nm and 800 to 1100 nm. This way, maximal light can penetrate into the skin so that it percolates to skin cells to initiate regeneration.
Handheld Devices
Though there are several full-face panels on the market, a smaller handheld will be easier to concentrate only around the eye area. Thus, one is able to treat areas around the eye to under-eye regions much more freely by the use of smaller devices.
Ease of Use
Get the device that fits into your lifestyle. Some are wireless, portable, and have adjustable settings to make them easier to use consistently.
Conclusion
Red light therapy is a very promising and exciting protocol for the reduction of periorbital dark circles and eye bags. It targets the causative factors of puffiness and discoloration under the eyes by increasing circulation, trying to boost collagen production, and promoting cellular regeneration. Though results will vary, most do find red light therapy to be an overall safe and convenient addition to their overall skincare routine. It is best to apply this in a consistent way for maximal impact with a good device. Besides, wholesome lifestyle habits like sleep, water intake, and skin sunlight protection. Red light therapy can be applied to eye bags, whether caused by aging, lack of sleep, or other various reasons.
References
[1] Li, W. H., Seo, I., Kim, B., Fassih, A., Southall, M. D., & Parsa, R. (2021). Low-level red and near infrared lights combination induces expressions of the collagen and elastin in human skin in vitro. International journal of cosmetic science, 43(3), 311–320. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12698
[2] Wunsch, A., & Matuschka, K. (2014). A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of the red & near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine & laser surgery, 32(2), 93–100. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2013.3616
[3] Mota, L. R., Duarte, I. D. S., Galache, T. R., Pretti, K. M. D. S., Neto, O. C., Motta, L. J., Horliana, A. C. R. T., Silva, D. F. T. D., & Pavani, C. (2023). Photobiomodulation Reduces Periocular Wrinkle Volume by 30%: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Photobiomodulation, photomedicine, and laser surgery, 41(2), 48–56. https://doi.org/10.1089/photob.2022.0114
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