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What Causes Bags Under the Eyes?
by Dr. Michael L. Maris, MD.


Dr. Michael L. Maris, MD
Plano, TX

Dr. Michael L. Maris, past president of Dallas Dermatological Society, received the American Cancer Society Award for organizing and im- plementing skin cancer screening project. Dr. Maris has also been listed in the "Best Doctors in America" in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,2004, DMagazine's "Best Doctors in Dallas" in 1999, 2000 & 2001, 2004, D Magazine Best Cosmetic Dermatologists in Dallas 2003, Consumers Research Council of America - "Best Physicians-Cosmetic Surgery" and received the Texas State Senate Recognition for outstanding contributions to the field of Dermatology in 2001.


For more information, visit our website
or the Skin Cancer Foundation's website

Bags are benign and are caused by fat. The layer of elastic tissue under the eyes is thin and normal fat protrudes, giving a puffy appearance. Dark circles, caused by skin pigmentation, are also more prominent under the eyes, because this is where the skin is the thinnest. The effect becomes greater with age because the skin, muscles and ligaments around the eye lose some of their elasticity. Heredity also plays a role. The skin on the upper lids can be affected as well, causing the upper lids to “sag”, and in some cases can be so severe that the vision begins to be obstructed.

A procedure called blepharoplasty can correct these unwanted problems in most cases. Traditionally this has been performed under general anesthesia, which has side effects and many risks. However, the procedure can be done under a simple local anesthetic. This allows for better accuracy, which means faster healing and oftentimes more pleasing results. It can be performed in conjunction with full face laser resurfacing, or by itself.


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