Festoons, or malar bags, are swollen, sagging areas on the upper cheek caused by age-related tissue weakening, sun damage, and fluid accumulation. Basically - puffy, watery bags under the eyes. Is this a problem for those on this site?
Does the community have any good suggestions… non-surgerical ways of addressing this fluid retention problem?
I’d never heard the term but I had started getting them a few years ago. For me personally they become more pronounced when I eat more salt than I need. They aren’t too horrible when my diet/lifestyle is on point but there’s really no wiggle room so I took the plunge recently and had a consultation for facial filler. I would just like my appearance to better match how I feel. I’m generally not very vain but my face is showing the sins of my youth and I started late in life turning things around. Thanks for bringing this up. I’m very interested to learn more.
Actually, I brought it up because I have found a non-surgery, non-filler option. Not sure if it works for everyone - but it does work for me. I have it beat.
Just curious what other’s might be doing as it seems common to older folks – like getting toenail fungus (onychomycosis). Knocked that one out with terbinafine years ago - never an issue since.
The one thing that threatens to hobble me as I advance in years is this goddamn bunion that keeps getting worse. Surgery, which has a long recovery, may be needed by next fall or winter.
Which is???
I have been using the caffeine eye solution (drops) fromThe Ordinary. I think it helps a bit, but not certain.
Agetron, what is your solution?
Yes, what’s the solution you’ve found? I’ve decided to go with BellaFill. I haven’t had it done yet though so if you’re solution is better I’m open to reconsidering.
As there is interest - particularly from my #1 fan Joseph. Here is how I addressed my festoon problem - right eye was worse.
As described festoons/malar bags caused by the tissue weakening and lymphatic fluid settles in creating a fluid filled bag. Ice-ing does not help…If you do a lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery, the fluid returns in a few years.
So the issue is keeping the fluid from settling in those tissues.
Here’s the cheap natural skunk works fix.
Go to Walmart and get two items… a satin sleep mask… costs about $6. In the cosmetic aisle.
And get an adult pair of swimming googles cost about $14. In the seasonal items… or swim stuff area.
Once ready to sleep, put on the satin sleeping mask… have it on your forehead.
Then pull the swimming goggles down over the mask and adjust. The goggles rest on the bridge of your nose on top of the sleeping mask creating two layers.
The satin mask gives comfort and prevents the goggles from creating any indentions or marks… but provides the support the tissues no longer have.
Here is the night before photo… before using the mask- goggles method.
It lasts all day and evening. But… if you think … wow… the festoons are gone and fail to use the mask and goggles that night. Guess what… yep… the fluid returns. Bummer. So it is a nightly treatment.
Actually, the mask is very comfortable, and shuts out all light… from sources like clocks or street lights. I sleep better and to be honest I don’t even feel it. Have to check to know it is there.
The slight goggle pressure prevents the fluid build up. No expensive filler every few months, no surgery… a cheap, natural and easy remedy. Been using since February. It works for me.
Try it and report back!
You created a little lymphedema therapy device there, @agetron! My cousin (female) uses this, noticeably effective (no affiliation with company):
Yes Phillipe… it would be easy to create and mass market from existing materials. Probably could make a fortune… lol.
No doubt we will see something like it before long in media ads… like the red light… eye treatment for bags.
Only mine is cheap… easy… and it works! Hahaha. 
Could use the firming gel in conjunction to tighten up the skin… after morning post goggles. I am using rapamycin skin lotion right now.
Just ordered the Westmore gel… will see how it works in conjunction with my… as you call it… lymphedema therapy device.
Afterall… the topic…There Has Never Been So Much Pressure for Men to Look Good at 60 (Bloomberg)… is true. 
Yes, cosmetic treatment for men is more popular than ever. Yet, for cosmetic derms and plastic surgeons the vast market is still in women. BTW, my cousin tells me with the Westmore stuff, use very tiny amounts otherwise the material bulks and can give a crack line effect.
If you’d worn triangular sticky smoothies under your eyes at night instead of goggles, you’d have avoided both wrinkles and bags.
What are triangular sticky smoothies? Where does one get them? Amazon?
Always open to a better way… 
Maybe add to the process… because the fluid retention is an issue.
Those “smoothies” will prevent fluid retention. I don’t have under eye bags because I wear them every night. Another benefit - you’ll look much more presentable in them than in your goggles 
Hahaha… goggles are comfy… just like a satin mask.
But hey, why I asked the community… what honestly works… lots of purported remedies that fail.
I am down to try Smoothies.
Got my goggles as a fall back plan.
Before applying smoothies, use a serum toner with HA. You can also apply them on your forehead (on “11” wrinkle) and side of our nose on the left. You can cut them to any size you need. Good luck!
