Ins and Outs of Eye Bags Removal in Singapore

Several solutions, surgical or not, exist to reduce bags under the eyes. One option some surgeons use is laser-assisted lower eyelid surgery (laser blepharoplasty). Here is a closer look at the method, its precautions and its limits.

Why do we have bags under our eyes?

Many people think that bags under the eyes are only due to fluid retention, a lack of sleep or general fatigue. Those can cause temporary puffiness, but they are not the whole story.

Lasting bags under the eyes usually have two main causes. First, genetics: a puffy look under the eyes can run in families.

Second, natural aging. With age, the fat that normally cushions the eye can bulge forward under the lower lid, creating a pocket. Cleveland Clinic explains that lower lid bags are caused by this protruding fat.

Allergies, lack of sleep and fluid that collects under the eyes overnight can also make puffiness worse.

tired asian woman with glasses

Eye bags removal Singapore: precautions

Like any surgical intervention, laser eye bag removal in Singapore requires taking certain precautions, both before and in the days or weeks following the intervention.

We have discussed with some of the best doctors and clinics in Singapore, like those at Cambridge Therapeutics, to gather the critical information and steps about the eye bag removal procedure in Singapore:

A pre-operative consultation: your surgeon will review your health, medicines and eyes, and may order tests to make sure you are fit for surgery.
As with any surgical intervention, your surgeon may ask you to stop blood thinners or aspirin before the operation. Never stop a prescribed medicine without your doctor's approval.
Swelling and bruising are expected after surgery. Cold compresses can help, and swelling usually settles over the first one to two weeks.
After eyelid surgery, it is recommended to wear dark sunglasses until healing is complete. It is also advisable to avoid prolonged sun exposure and makeup in the days following the intervention.

Eye bags removal in Singapore with laser

Lower eyelid surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, typically under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia. You will need someone to drive you home.

In the laser technique, a CO2 laser is used to remove or reposition the pocket of fat under the eye through the transconjunctival route. That is to say, through the conjunctiva, the thin pink lining on the inside of the eyelid.

This technique of removing bags under the eyes has several advantages:

The incision is made on the inside of the eyelid, so no scar is visible on the skin.
The laser seals small blood vessels as it cuts, which helps limit bleeding.
Because the outer skin and muscle are left alone, the inside approach may lower the risk of the lower lid being pulled down, which can show white of the eye below the iris.

What are the results of laser eye bags removal?

The swelling and bruising take a few weeks to settle, and the final results appear within several weeks.

The result is long-lasting, and lower eyelid surgery rarely needs to be repeated.

However, surgery does not stop the natural aging of the eye and skin. Sun protection and good skin care help maintain the result.

If necessary, other eye rejuvenation techniques may be used, such as injections of Botox or hyaluronic acid fillers.

Finally, it is essential to follow your surgeon's instructions for any prescribed treatments, such as eye drops or ointment.

Like any surgery, eyelid surgery has risks. They include bleeding, infection, dry eyes, skin discoloration, trouble fully closing the eyes, a pulled-down lower lid and, very rarely, vision loss.

Cost laser blepharoplasty in Singapore

Laser blepharoplasty in Singapore can cost several thousand dollars, and prices vary by clinic and surgeon. Being a cosmetic surgery intervention, it is strongly advised not to choose your specialist based on price alone. It is essential to check the surgeon's qualifications and experience and the safety standards of the facility.

The price is an important element, yes, but should not take precedence over your safety. Singapore has many experienced surgeons and well-equipped clinics, so take time to compare credentials and ask questions before you book.

Lower eyelid surgery: other techniques

There are also other techniques for removing dark circles or bags under the eyes:

The sub-palpebral lifting

Less commonly performed, this technique mainly treats the so-called malar bag, a pouch that forms over the cheekbone when the tissues around the eye sag with age.

The sub-palpebral lift tightens the muscle around the eye through an incision just below the lash line, restoring tension in the lower lid.

Blepharoplasty pinch

This intervention consists of pinching the skin of the lower eyelid to remove a few millimetres of excess skin. The incision sits just below the lashes, so the scar is usually hard to see.

Lipo-filling

Lipo-filling is used to soften dark hollows under the eyes by injecting fat. This fat is taken from the patient’s own body, most often from the abdomen.

Grandmother’s remedies

Home remedies are not long-lasting, but they can help with temporary puffiness. A cold compress, enough sleep and sleeping with your head slightly raised can reduce fluid that collects under the eyes. Cucumber slices or chilled tea bags are popular too, though there is little scientific proof that they work better than a simple cold compress.

These remedies do not remove the fat that causes lasting bags under the eyes. See a doctor if you have swelling, redness or pain around the eye, or swelling under just one eye.

HP Thoughts: Some women would go to the extent of having their eyelids operated on. If you’re curious about this procedure, then read our article and tell us what you think: Double Eyelid Surgery in Singapore.