Singapore’s busy lifestyle has many working professionals lose sleep. Late nights at work, demanding schedules, and symptoms of exhaustion begin to manifest around the fragile eye area. You may notice dark shadows circling your eyes, under-eye pads that may either be puffy or hollowed, all making you look extremely tired despite being able to rest completely overnight.
While a lower blepharoplasty remains the gold standard for removing bulging fats under the eyes permanently and improving its appearance, many patients seek for other alternatives as this surgical procedure requires incisions and a long downtime that may affect their corporate life. Fortunately, the aesthetic industry continues to develop and there are now various options that can treat saggy eye bag concerns without undergoing surgery.
If you are looking for an effective eye bag treatment in Singapore, there are many advanced treatments that require minimal-downtime available today that can be adjusted to fit your preferred schedules. This article will help you explore the top choices for non-surgical solutions and compare their pros, cons, longevity and mechanisms.
Discovering the Truths of Under-Eye Aging
Having a clear understanding of why eye bags develop in the first place is essential before knowing which treatment is best for you.
The thinnest skin in our entire body surrounds our eyes. The normal measurement of the thickness of our skin elsewhere in the body is 2 mm. However, the skin around our eyes only measures 0.5 mm. As we grow older, this thin layer of skin undergoes several changes that affect its structure:
- Depletion of Collagen and Elastin. Loss of collagen and elastin happens over time, making your lower eyelids wrinkle and sag.
- Herniation of Fat. The fat pads underneath the eye begin to bulge forward and create noticeable “bags” as the orbital septum, which is the retaining ligament that holds back the fat, becomes weak.
- Resorption of Bones and Volume Loss. The groove between your lower eyelid and the cheek, known as the tear trough, becomes deeper due to bone resorption around your mid-face, creating shadows that accentuate or mimic eye bags.
Since eye bags are caused by a mix of several factors, such as fat protrusion, volume loss, and skin laxity, there is, unfortunately, no one-size-fits-all treatment that could improve this condition.
Non-Surgical Eye Bag Treatments in Singapore
Undergoing an assessment and having a personalized eye bag treatment in Singapore planned by a specialist to suit your specific anatomical needs is best. There are various non-surgical eye bag treatments available in Singapore:
1. Microneedle Radiofrequency
Microneedle radiofrequency devices, such as Agnes RF, work by combining fine needles and radiofrequency energy to generate heat and deliver this into the target area of the skin around your eyes. Following your treatment plan and depending on the type of device used, this procedure may trigger collagen stimulation to remodel and improve your skin’s firmness.
Pros
- Depending on your eye bag’s cause and the settings on the device, RF can improve certain cases of under-eye fullness.
- Does not need an incision to be made into the skin
- May improve fine lines and wild skin laxity
- Targets selected areas accurately
Cons
- Bruising, inflammation, redness, and tenderness around the treatment area may occur, although temporary
- Complications like burns, infection, pigmentation changes, scabbing and although rare, fat injury could happen.
- Repeated sessions, likely around 1 to 3 rounds of treatment, may be needed before seeing actual improvements
- The condition of the skin, doctor’s expertise and technique, and treatment settings used may influence varying results between patients
Expected Downtime
- Minimal downtime required.
- Most patients are able to return to their usual routines and work after 3 to 5 days following their treatment
- Any skin discoloration after scabs fall off may be concealed with light make up
Longevity
- Results for treatment of fat cells are usually long-lasting or permanent, until natural aging takes over
Mechanism
- Localised fats are melted safely by the thermal energy generated by the RF device and stimulates the production of collagen, which tightens the skin from within.
Suitability
- Microneedling Radiofrequency is best for individuals who have mild under-eye skin laxity or carefully examined localised fullness who want to take a non-incisional treatment plan.
2. Hyaluronic Acid Tear Trough Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid fillers utilise biocompatible and medical grade gels that are injected into the skin to soften undereye hollows and allow volume restoration. HA fillers are highly effective in reducing the appearance of shadows that make the eye bags look obvious by improving the transition between your lower eyelid and cheek.
Pros
- Can make hollow tear troughs look soft without needing surgery
- Requires little downtime
- Results can be seen instantly, but swelling may occur temporarily in the treated area
- When required, HA fillers can be dissolved using hyaluronidase
Cons
- Asymmetry, bruising, swelling, and Tyndall effect, which is a bluish tint that develops under the skin, can occur
- Does not tighten sagging skin or remove excess fats under the eye
- Effective results rely heavily on the experience and skill of the injector and patient suitability
- Not all patients qualify for this type of eye bags treatment
- Rare, but serious complications may happen like skin injury, vascular occlusion, and vision loss
Expected Downtime
- Many patients are able to resume their normal schedule quickly. However, side effects of the treatment like bruising and swelling can take a few days to subside.
Longevity
- You can enjoy your results between 6 to 12 months or even longer depending on different factors, such as your body’s metabolism, the product used, and how well it is placed.
Mechanism
- Using a blunt-ended cannula, Hyaluronic Acid, which is a soft and cohesive gel, is strategically injected and set deeply onto the bone beneath the eye to restore volume loss and create a smooth transition from your under eyelid to cheek.
Suitability
- Best for patients that have been carefully assessed and selected with tear trough hollows, minimal prominent fat bulges or fluid retention.
3. Laser Skin Resurfacing and Tightening
Laser treatments use powerful machines that produce targeted light energy to improve fine lines, skin texture and, depending on the type of device used, skin laxity. Determining which device is appropriate for your eye bags treatment will depend on your needs and priority.
There are two types of lasers that can be used for eye bags treatment in Singapore: Ablative lasers and Non-ablative lasers. Ablative lasers are effective in removing controlled skin layers and often will need more recovery time, while non-ablative lasers typically cause less surface disruption to the skin.
Pros
- Can trigger collagen production.
- May be used in combination with other treatments to address several eye bags symptoms.
- May reduce the appearance of fine lines, uneven texture, and some symptoms of photoageing.
- Different levels of intensity and recovery time can be considered in the treatment plan.
Cons
- Burns, changes in pigmentation, and scarring can occur, especially when the wrong settings are used or there is no proper aftercare given to the area around the eyes.
- Laser treatments may cause peeling, redness, swelling or temporary sensitivity in the treatment area.
- Prominent under-eye fat pads cannot be removed by lasers.
- Results are heavily influenced by your condition and the type of laser used.
Expected Downtime
- Recovery can take between 0 to 14 days depending on the type of equipment used. Non-ablative lasers usually require 0 to 2 days downtime, while ablative lasers take a recovery period of 5 to 14 days.
Longevity
- Results can be seen gradually a few weeks after the treatment and may remain for a couple of months. Recurring sessions may be needed to maintain the desired results as your natural ageing continues.
Mechanism
- Laser treatments treat eye bags by delivering thermal energy into the skin to remodel collagen, tighten the skin, and reduce targeted fats.
Suitability
- You can qualify for a laser treatment if your main concerns are either crepey skin, fine lines or uneven skin texture around your eyes rather than substantial under-eye bags.
Landing the Right Eye Bags Treatment in Singapore
Oftentimes, patients exhibit more than just one under-eye concern. For instance, you may have localised puffiness or tear trough hollows along with mild skin laxity beneath your eyes. Combining a few eye bags treatment and customising your treatment plan based on your condition may be more effective than using a single approach.
When searching for the right eye bag treatment in Singapore, be sure to ask doctors if their proposed treatment plan actually addresses the root cause of your eye bags instead of just improving the appearance of the skin surrounding your eyes.
Book an appointment with our clinic to know your eye bag treatment options today.
Harmony Aesthetics Clinic
1 Grange Road, #13-01
Orchard Building
Singapore 2399693
Phone: +65 8822 3089
Whatsapp: +65 6970 5418
