The eye contour is a delicate area where puffiness and dark circles easily appear, often related to poor blood or lymphatic circulation. Drainage, performed as a massage, is frequently considered a solution for stimulating microcirculation and reducing these signs of fatigue. But is this method truly effective? Read on to discover whether drainage can eliminate dark circles and under-eye bags.
Draining the periocular region to eliminate under-eye bags and dark circles?
Summary
Published on September 17, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 7 min of reading
Themes:
Dark circles and under-eye bags: what is their connection with microcirculation?
The eye contour is a very thin and delicate area, where the skin measures on average 0.5 mm in thickness, compared with 2 mm on the rest of the face. This thinness readily reveals alterations in the blood and lymphatic microcirculation. When venous return is slowed, blood tends to pool in the capillaries, leading to a bluish or purplish coloration characteristic of vascular dark circles. Similarly, if lymphatic drainage is insufficient, interstitial fluids accumulate and form a visible swelling under the eyes, causing fluid-filled under-eye bags. Fatigue, stress, a high-salt diet or hormonal fluctuations can exacerbate these phenomena by disrupting circulatory flows.
However, dark circles and bags do not all originate from the same mechanisms. Some dark circles, termed pigmentary, result from a localised overproduction of melanin, producing a brown tint that is independent of blood flow. Others, known as structural, arise from a reduction in skin density and the atrophy of fatty tissues with age, creating a hollow that accentuates shadows. As for bags, they may also be fatty in nature and stem from a weakening of the tissues that normally hold lipid deposits in place.
| Types of dark circles and under-eye bags | Cause | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular dark circles | Blood stasis in the capillaries, slowed venous return | Bluish or purplish tint |
| Pigmented dark circles | Localized excess of melanin | Brown tint |
| Structural dark circles | Loss of adipose tissue and skin laxity | Pronounced shadow resulting from the depression |
| Malar pockets | Slowed lymphatic drainage, fluid accumulation | Soft, transient swelling |
| Fat pockets | Relaxation of the tissues supporting orbital fat | Firm, persistent swelling |
The different types of dark circles and under-eye bags and their causes.
Microcirculation plays a role in the appearance of fluid-filled under-eye bags and vascular dark circles, but it does not account for all existing forms.
Can massaging the eye contour help to reduce dark circles and under-eye puffiness?
Eye contour drainage consists of manually stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation using gentle, rhythmic movements. It can be performed simply with the fingertips, applying light pressure from the inner eye corner towards the temple, or with tools such as gua sha. These techniques are often combined with the application of a serum or an eye contour cream, to improve the penetration of active ingredients and strengthen the decongestant effect. Eye contour massage is often cited as a solution for vascular dark circles and under-eye bags.
However, despite its theoretical interest, scientific evidence regarding the actual effectiveness of eye-contour drainage remains limited.
In fact, to date, there is no clinical study that has evaluated the efficacy of drainage or massage on dark circles and under-eye bags. Yet, the lymphatic drainage is a well-documented medical technique, notably for the treatment of lymphoedema, where it helps to reduce fluid retention. By analogy, one could imagine that these manoeuvres applied to the periorbital area also promote the reduction of swelling associated with fluid accumulation in under-eye bags and improve venous return in the case of vascular dark circles. However, in the absence of any clinical studies on this subject, these benefits remain hypothetical.
In practice, it remains possible to incorporate drainage techniques into one’s skincare routine, but with caution. The eye contour being particularly delicate, the pressures must remain light and the movements slow, always from the inner to the outer corner. The ideal is to combine the massage with a targeted treatment, rich in draining active ingredients such as caffeine, known to stimulate microcirculation, or immortelle essential oil, reputed for its ability to reduce vascular permeability and vasodilation. To achieve longer-lasting results, one may consider aesthetic medicine solutions, provided one gives it careful thought and consults qualified professionals.
Sources
GUPTA N. & al. Lymphatic drainage from the eye: A new target for therapy. Progress in Brain Research (2015).
LIPLAVK O. & al. New medical approach for rejuvenation of the periorbital area. Clinical and Medical Investigations (2016).
ASHTON M. & al. The lymphatic anatomy of the lower eyelid and conjunctiva and correlation with postoperative chemosis and edema. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2017).
KOELMEYER L. A . & al. Manual lymphatic drainage treatment for lymphedema: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Cancer Survivorship (2020).
KORRAPATI N. H. & al. Effective home remedies that provide quick relief for puffy eyes. International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies (2021).
WANG B. & al. Effectiveness of facial massage and exercise in alleviating visual fatigue: A systematic review. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine (2024).
