A team of cosmetic surgery experts have revealed that under-eye bags which often appear with age are in fact to do with fat expansion in the eye socket.
Research conducted by scientists at UCLA found that sagging around the eyes is not necessarily to do with aging – a discovery which could impact on face surgery.
The findings, published next months issue of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, may see surgeons opting to remove fat in the eye area when treating baggy eyes – a procedure which many do not currently do.
"Our findings may change the way some plastic surgeons treat baggy eyes," said study co-author Dr. Timothy Miller, professor and chief of plastic surgery at the Geffen School.
"Our study showed that a component of a patient’s blepharoplasty procedure should almost routinely involve fat excision rather than these procedures."
He added that while sagging lower eyelids are a "significant result of aging and fat expansion" there are a number of other contributing factors which also need to be taken into account before cosmetic surgery is performed.
As well treating baggy eyelids, face surgery can also help to reduce wrinkles and enhance features such as lips and cheekbones. 
Report casts new light on face surgery
August 22, 2008