Since we put the clocks forward in March, some of my patients have complained about bags around their eyes due to lost sleep. That may be part of the cause, but it is certainly not the only one. And there are several treatments you should consider when trying to get rid of them; beware: a cucumber is not one of them.

Cucumbers are about 90% water and are usually kept in the refrigerator, so they can help when they are cold. But there is nothing, such as vitamins or healing aids, in a cucumber that will get rid of bags under your eyes better than a cold compress.

Bags under the eyes are caused by a combination of several factors, including loss of firmness, inadequate sun protection, smoking, fluid retention, age, genetics, lack of sleep, allergies, medical conditions, and enlarged peri-orbital fat pads.

Products and treatments that improve skin firmness and reduce wrinkles and creases can be used on the entire face, including on the skin under the eyes. Some treatments can only be performed with medical supervision (lasers, for example), and there are some ingredients, such as retinoic acid, retinA, that should not be used around the eyes.

I recommend you try to improve your overall skin firmness by using professional cleansers with proven antioxidants such as glycolic acid or retinol. In-salon enzyme peels and masks will help restore the metabolic activity of the epidermis and dermis layers of your skin, improve skin firmness, and help get rid of eye bags. And don't forget your sun protection.

There are other methods that can help as well, such as, raising your head elevation when sleeping (2-3 pillows), decreased fluid intake before bedtime, decreased salt intake, cool water compresses upon waking if the eyes are puffy, and taking antihistamines if your eye bags are aggravated by allergies