# Why do we get bags under the eyes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 17, 2002, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165 "2002-11-17T14:07:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/1 "2002-11-17T14:07:56Z")
There have been a number of threads about how to avoid them, and Cecil has addressed the Preparation H thingee, but no one has explained why we get them when we’re tired, stressed, etc. The concensus seems to be that they are caused by fluid retention, but what does sleep or work have to do with that? ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/2 "2002-11-19T19:03:01Z")
[Last chance bump] ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/3 "2002-11-20T21:36:38Z")
i’m intrigued too - hopefully someone will have an answer [subtle bump] 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/4 "2002-11-20T21:54:49Z")
From [this](http://www.medhelp.org/forums/eyecare/archive/887.html) site. > [@](#): > > In general the eyelids will be the most puffy in the AM because when you are recumbent the fluid settles in places where there is potential space. When you get up gravity will help move this fluid. Some people have more fatty eyelids which occurs as the fat around the eyes pushes forward. This casts a shadow on the lower eyelids which causes dark circles. There is really no treatment except having the fatty material surgically excised from your eyelids. This is called a blepharoplasty. This would be considered a cosmetic procedure and could be performed by an ophthalmic plastic surgeon. Not much help but a start. ---
**Author:** ![nth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@nth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/5 "2002-11-20T22:29:42Z")
I just know that fluid accumulates in the eye area, so allergies, other medical conditions, lack of sleep will cause fluids to accumlate. Baggy eyes are caused by fluids and fat. Black color is blood and probably eyes stressed so blood vessels enlarged and causing fluid to accumulate. fluids often accumulate in thin skin areas. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/6 "2002-11-20T23:46:46Z")
[http://64.4.14.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?\_lang=EN&lah=db6bce459f5bcabf660a85472f049dd9&lat=1037836101&hm\_\_\_action=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.com%2Finvoke.cfm%3Fid%3DAN00423%26si%3D1596](http://64.4.14.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=db6bce459f5bcabf660a85472f049dd9&lat=1037836101&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2emayoclinic%2ecom%2finvoke%2ecfm%3fid%3dAN00423%26si%3d1596) ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/7 "2002-11-21T18:16:18Z")
**barbitu8** : huh? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/8 "2002-11-21T19:20:22Z")
Barbitu8’s link is here: [http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AN00423&si=1596](http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AN00423&si=1596) > [@](#): > > In most people, dark circles under the eyes aren’t permanent. They’re often due to temporary changes in the blood vessels under the eyes, which cause the skin to appear darker. > > Chronic and severe dark circles under the eyes may be due to several factors. These include: > > ``` > * Increased skin pigment (melanin) > * Dilated blood vessels > * Excess skin folds in the eyelids > > ``` > > Treatment for chronic and severe dark circles depends on the cause but may include: > > ``` > * Bleaching agents or pigment-specific lasers for pigment changes > * Vascular-specific lasers for dilated blood vessels > * Lasers or excision for excess skin folds > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/9 "2002-11-21T19:27:30Z")
I will add here, do _not_ use Preparation H under your eyes. It shrinks and damages the delicate tissues, and will eventually result in terrible wrinkling. Not a problem where one _usually_ uses it, but not good for the undereye. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-get-bags-under-the-eyes/137165/10 "2002-11-21T21:25:09Z")
**Eve** , I bet it doesn’t feel good if you get some in your eye either.