Sing your laments to Grandma, not your skin-care regimen. If a swollen, discolored eye area appears on more than one member of your family, your under-eye bags are probably hereditary. Fat pockets under the eyes often just naturally produce a less-than-pleasing protruding shape, but aging, dietary deficiencies, allergies and other health issues can make genetic eye bags look much puffier and more inflamed than normal.

No amount of eye cream will make your eye bags disappear completely, but you can reduce their appearance with a few lifestyle changes. Drink plenty of water every day to keep your skin hydrated, and elevate your head when you get at least seven hours of sleep -- if your lymphatic system isn't draining properly, fluid settles under the eyes. Avoid the sun and salty foods that encourage fluid buildup in the body, and treat your allergies with an antihistamine. As for eye creams, a moisturizing cooling cream or a cream with vitamin C or caffeine applied daily may help to calm irritated skin.

Seek out a dermatologist for under-eye bag treatments with a little more kick than just topical creams. Phosphatidycholine injections that dissolve fat may make your fat pockets look less noticeable. If your under-eye structure is hollowed with protruding fat pockets, fillers like Restylane, Voluma or Perlane may give your under-eye area a smoother appearance -- for a short time. Fillers are temporary -- the effect wears off after a few years and you'll have to go through the procedure again.

No one likes going under the knife -- but for the most permanent cure for your eye bags, a surgeon's hand is necessary. During a lower blepharoplasty, an oculoplastic surgeon typically reduces sagging skin due to age -- but they can instead reshape or reposition your fat pockets to lie flatter and look smaller -- and to better suit your face's orbital socket. You may not even have to worry about scarring -- if done from the inside of the eyelid, this procedure leaves no visible mark.

If you don't want to go the surgical route, but still wish to improve your appearance, you can always hide your eye bags with makeup and topical fillers. Apply a primer under your eyes, then follow with liquid foundation or concealer and powder. Highlight the inner corners of your eyes to draw attention away from the under-eye area. For a more obvious change, an under-eye reshaping product made from polymer film temporarily flattens puffy lids. Dab the gel under your eyes and let it set, then conceal the gel with the accompanying powder.