Malar Bags and How to Treat Them | Paul Tulley Plastic Surgeon

Everyone develops bags under their eyes at some time in their life. Typically caused by a lack of sleep, a poor diet, and a lack of hydration, most bags disappear by themselves once lifestyle changes have been implemented. If they don’t, you could have malar bags.

Malar bags tend to be a little tougher to treat than lifestyle-related bags. So, what are they and what treatment options are available?

What are malar bags?

Also referred to as festoons, malar bags are swollen mounds that develop under the lower eyelid. This causes a puffy appearance that can give the impression that you are continuously tired.
While in most cases they are harmless and more of a cosmetic issue, in serious cases they can cause vision loss.

The main causes

It isn’t just one thing that causes malar bags to develop. They occur due to a range of combined factors, and these may be different from person to person.

They tend to occur due to a structural problem in the skin of the cheek area and lower eyelid. The Orbicularis muscle and fat and skin compartments of the cheek loosing up, are the biggest culprits. They are a common problem that occur naturally due to ageing, and they may appear worse when you lose weight.

Different treatment options

There are surgical and non-surgical treatments for malar bags. If you want to avoid surgery, laser skin resurfacing, and fillers are ideal options. Fillers can be used to add volume around the bags, though they are only an option if other signs of ageing are also present in the area. Laser skin resurfacing is a more effective choice, helping to tighten the skin and reduce fluid retention in the area.

If you want the most noticeable and permanent results, surgical options such as blepharoplasty and a facelift may be a better option. Blepharoplasty is particularly effective, helping to remove excess skin and fat from the eye area, preventing the eyes from drooping.

To find out which treatment option is right for your malar bags, book a consultation with Mr Paul Tulley today.