17 year old with puffiness and bags under eyes

[SkinConcerned]

Hello, I'm so glad I found a active forum about this problems and where people are gathered to share and learn :D


Well I'm a 17 year old male, and my main concern is that the last year I've developed bags under both my eyes, it just get worse and worse for each month.
Been to the doctor like 5 times for allergy tests etc. all showed up negative, and the doctors taking the swelling non serious as it's not a "health concern"
In my eyes I see it as a "health concern" when it's causin' stress and misery to a person, but I'm no doctor so my opinion doesn't count I guess :P

Anyway, is there any way to seriously get rid of these bags?
Their worse in the morning, but never completely dissapears, and when their "alright looking" it's time to sleep anyway, so helps me nothing.
I've tried cucumber slices, tea bags, green tea, creams, sleeping with my head elevated, drink a lot of water everyday. . .
I'd prefer a natural way to get rid of them, no more chemical "cause-more-damage-than-it-heals" creams.

I also have fine lines (I know you might think I'm too young to have it) but I've had it ever since 15, around my eyes.

I'm a cigarette smoker unfortunately and I've been since age of 13, but thats only 5 years, after what I've read the "slow-suicide-sticks" aren't supposed to show damage to your skin until you've been a smoker for atleast 10 years? Also I've always smoked like 10 a day, not 20-40 like many other people.

Sorry this post became a long one, hope someone read it and help me out...

Thanks ;)

[orangehrzn]

Some people use preparation H to reduce bags in the morning. There is no 'natural' way to reduce bags nor I know of a cream with chemicals that would do it. Plastic surgery will help for sure.

[SkinConcerned]

yeah but surgery at 17 is a little drastic isn't it?=\

[orangehrzn]

[SkinConcerned]

Exactly, thats why I hoped there was atleast someway to REDUCE them.
Start having eyelid surgery at 17 and have one every 5year or so isn't me:P

[George]

Hi there -

Bags can be from a number of reasons. You're already doing right by drinking plenty of water. Without knowing your situation better, Id say...

First, try hard to quit smoking. I know it's hard! I was a smoker from age 13 until 27, so I know just how hard. But it is so bad for your skin, not to mention all the other horrible effects. Okay - sorry to sound like a lecture - I didn't mean to. :) But that really is the number one thing you should do.

Next, make sure you're getting enough sleep - quality sleep. My wife bought some new pillows about a year ago and although I was in bed for 7-8 hours a night - I was sleeping horribly! You could see this in my eyes - bags and circles.

If you aren't already doing it - try a good daily skincare regimen. I know when I was 17 I didn't take care of my skin at all - not saying you don't but if there is room for improvement, by all means...clean your skin with a gentle cleanser, if you're shaving, follow up with a nice hydrating toner (I think most after shave's are too harsh and can't be used around the eyes). Find a toner with a spray top, and just mist your face after you shave - that may help calm the skin.

Hope that helps - good luck!!

G

[SkinConcerned]

Hey thanks a lot for answering.
Hah, no problem with the "the lecturing", I quit 8 days a few months ago and ofcourse messed up. I'll try to quit this week again, hopefully for good, I want to quit before it's "too late" with all the skin issues etc.
Ofcourse it's a hazzard to your health too, but that won't show too many signs of in a couple of years.
I'm trying to prevent being 25 and start getting a lot of wrinkles and say "damn I wish I had quit 7years ago".

I'm really not good at skin care at all, ofcourse I wash my face etc. but I'm really want to start real cleaning and take more care of it.
I just don't want some chemical creams that do more harm than good, so if you can recommend any cream thats GOOD for your skin I'd be very greatful =)
Did your new pillows help with rings and bags under your eyes?

[George]

Okay - I'm getting dangerously close to sounding hokey... :)

My wife went out and got some new pillows that were magnetized. I believe she got them through Nikken (an MLM type company) - but I'm not sure. Anyway, I swear they helped my sleep.

of course, being the skeptic, I think that maybe the idea that they (the magnetized pillows) might help my sleep helped more than the pillows - you know, power of suggestion and all that.

Okay - now that I have totally discredited myself... :)

On your question - You may not even need a moisturizer. I suggested a toner because often times, that's all your skin needs. If the toner has a good hydrating agent, you'll be all set. Just stay away from harsh aftershave or alcohol based aftershave. Instead, cleanse with gentle clenaser, shave, then apply a nice hydrating toner.

That being said, your skin may have moisture needs that I'm not aware of.

You can always schedule time with a good esthetician...

Good luck with quitting! I quit after coming down with the flu - it took me out so bad - I was able to get over the 3 week hump just by being ill!

[Makule]

Achtung!!