Under-eye bags
You wake up and the area under your eyes is puffy and heavy. It eases by the afternoon, but your eyes still look tired and older than you feel.
Why do under-eye bags form?
Under-eye bags are puffiness in the skin beneath the eyes. There are two main types: fluid-related bags, usually more visible in the morning and changing with sleep and diet; and structural bags, when the orbicularis muscle and supporting septum weaken, allowing the fat around the eye to push forward.
The skin around the eyes is very thin, so any change in circulation, lymph flow or firmness shows clearly. Under-eye bags also often cast shadows, making dark circles look deeper.
Learn more about causes and common types
What causes under-eye bags?
Circulation & lymph
- Fluid retentionPoor lymph flow lets fluid collect around the eyes, especially in the morning.
- Salty food, lack of sleepMake puffiness worse.
Muscle & supporting tissue
- A weak orbicularis muscleMuscle tone declines with age and no longer holds the under-eye area firm.
- Protruding fatA weakened septum lets the fat pads around the eye push forward.
Constitution & habits
- GeneticsSome people have under-eye bags from a young age.
- Allergies, rubbing your eyesCause inflammation and swelling of the thin skin around the eyes.
Common types
Visible in the morning, easing towards the afternoon. Respond very well to lymphatic drainage.
The under-eye area is less firm. Muscle tone and skin firmness need strengthening.
Clearly protruding fat pads that don't change during the day. Severe cases may need surgery.
Where should I start?
Everyone has a different cause and degree, so the most important thing is to understand your condition correctly before choosing a solution.
During your Da Ký™session, we identify whether your under-eye bags are mainly due to fluid retention, less firm muscle and skin, or fat pads, along with any accompanying dark circles and wrinkles. Each type needs a different approach.
Home care
Fluid-related bags respond very quickly to daily habits.
Enough sleep, a slightly raised pillow, less salt in the evening and a cool compress in the morning make the eye area feel noticeably lighter.
Recommendations we often give
- Sleep enough, with your head raised. Helps stop fluid collecting around the eyes while you sleep.
- Limit salt and alcohol in the evening. Reduces fluid retention the next morning.
- A cool compress in the morning. Constricts blood vessels and quickly reduces puffiness.
- Eye cream with caffeine and peptides. Helps reduce puffiness and improve firmness around the eyes.
At Claire, we work with cosmeceutical lines such as SkinCeuticals, ZO Skin Health, Obagi, Dermalogica and Phytomer, and only suggest a product when it truly suits your skin.
In-clinic options
At Claire, we treat under-eye bags by improving lymph flow and increasing muscle tone and firmness in the thin skin around the eyes.
BioLift begins with a Lymphatic Drainage step using micro-level current to reduce puffiness and fluid around the eyes, then works on the orbicularis muscle to make the eye area firmer and more defined. Completely painless with no downtime, and very well suited to fluid-related bags and weak muscle.
For under-eye bags with lax skin and wrinkles, Focus360 combines focused ultrasound and RF microneedling, with a dedicated treatment head for the eye area, to tighten and firm the deeper layers.
See how each treatment acts
| Treatments | Reduces puffiness, fluid retention | Firms the orbicularis muscle | Firms the skin around the eyes | Reduces wrinkles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioLiftLymphatic Drainage · Lifting Phase 1 · Cell Regeneration · 85–90 minutes · VND 6,000,000 · Member VND 4,800,000 | ||||
| Focus360Numbing & pain relief · UltraLift Tightening · VFRM 25-pin fractional RF · 130–135 minutes · VND 20,000,000 · Member VND 18,000,000 |
Main action Supporting
Depth of action
Illustrated according to each treatment's technology; actual action is adjusted to each skin.
Other options and advice
For large, fixed fat pads under the eyes, lower blepharoplasty gives the clearest results. If that's the more suitable option for you, we'll say so clearly and refer you to the right specialist.
Claire always follows ethical medical aesthetic practice: we only recommend what truly suits you.
Related concerns
All skin concerns→Begin by understanding your skin
Da Ký™: a one-to-one consultation, unhurried, with no pressure to buy a package.