Fat Pads Under Eyes: Causes, Treatments, and Removal Guide

Written by an Expert Aesthetic Content Writer Lisa.
Reviewed by Expert Medical Director Dr. Raj Thethi
Published on: December 3, 2025
Eye Care

Close-up of an eye showing early signs of fat pads under the eye with mild puffiness

Fat pads under the eyes, especially the nasojugal fat pads, are a common cause of puffiness, bags, and shadows around the lower eyelids. These fat deposits naturally cushion and protect the eye, but with age, genetics, or lifestyle factors, they can become more noticeable or herniate. 

This results in an uneven under-eye contour that impacts the overall facial aesthetic. There are several effective treatment options, ranging from topical care and non-surgical methods to surgical procedures, each targeted at different severity levels of fat pad prominence.

Understanding Fat Pads Under the Eyes and Nasojugal Fat Pads

Fat pads under the eyes, known as orbital fat pads, consist of three main parts: medial, central, and lateral fat pads. These fat structures provide cushioning for the eye but tend to bulge or sag due to weakening skin and muscle support caused by ageing or hereditary factors. The nasojugal fat pads are located along the nasojugal groove, the depression running from the inner corner of the eye to the upper cheek. They are often the chief contributors to under-eye bags and puffiness.

When these fat pads protrude or shift forward, visible bags form beneath the eyes. This change can leave a tired, aged, or hollowed appearance, and sometimes concomitant dark circles or shadowing worsen the look. A combination of skin laxity, loss of volume in surrounding areas, and fat pad herniation creates this aesthetically displeasing effect.

Causes of Fat Pads Under the Eyes

Multiple factors influence the development and prominence of fat pads under the eyes:

  • Ageing: Over time, skin loses elasticity and muscle support diminishes, allowing fat pads to protrude.
  • Genetics: Some people naturally have more prominent fat pads or weaker connective tissue under the eyes.
  • Lifestyle and Habits: Poor sleep, high salt intake, allergies, and fluid retention can cause swelling and exaggerate puffiness.
  • Skin Changes: Thinning or sagging skin due to photoaging or health conditions can expose the underlying fat pads more.

Understanding these causes is essential for selecting the most suitable treatment method for under-eye fat pads.

How to Know Whether You Have Fat Pads Under Your Eyes

A simple way to identify a fat pad under the eye is by doing a few self-check tests:

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1. Look Straight Ahead

If you see a defined, consistent bulge under the eyes that doesn’t disappear when you blink, that suggests fat pads.

2. Tilt Your Face Upward

If the bulge becomes more noticeable when you lift your chin, it’s usually due to fat.

3. Press the Area Gently

If it feels firm rather than soft, that’s a true fat pad under the eye.

4. Compare Morning and Evening

If your under-eye looks puffy only after waking, it could be fluid; if it lasts all day, it’s more likely to be fat.

5. Check Grooves Near the Nose

A deep groove here suggests prominent nasojugal fat pads.

Best Treatment Options for Fat Pads Under the Eyes

Treatment choice depends on the severity of the condition, patient preferences, and the desired longevity of results. Here are the major options focusing on treating fat pads under the eyes and nasojugal fat pads:

Non-Surgical Treatments

  • Topical Skincare: Eye creams containing ingredients like retinol help stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. Retinol-based creams may take time to show visible improvement and are better suited for mild cases or as complementary care.
  • Injectable Fillers: Hyaluronic acid fillers can be carefully injected around the fat pads to smooth the transition between the under-eye bags and the cheeks. By filling hollows and shadows, fillers soften the appearance of bulging fat pads. This treatment is quick, minimally invasive, and lasts about 6 to 12 months.
  • Microneedling with Radiofrequency (RF): Procedures like Morpheus8 combine microneedling with RF energy to tighten the skin and stimulate collagen around the eye area. This treatment improves skin texture and reduces mild puffiness without surgery.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: Managing salt intake, improving sleep hygiene, and reducing allergies and fluid retention can reduce temporary swelling and puffiness of fat pads.

Surgical Treatments

  • Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: This is the gold-standard surgical solution for prominent fat pads under the eyes. The procedure involves making incisions (often within the eyelid via a transconjunctival approach) to either reposition or remove excess fat pads and tighten loose skin, creating a smoother contour. Fat repositioning preserves volume to avoid a hollowed look, whereas fat removal limits excessive bulges but must be balanced to maintain a natural appearance.
  • Fat Pad Removal: In cases of marked herniation or excess fat, fat pads are removed to eliminate bulges. This is carefully done to avoid creating a sunken appearance.
  • Fat Transfer: Sometimes fat is taken from other body parts and grafted under the eyes to fill hollows and improve contour alongside fat pad treatment.

Surgical procedures typically require about 1 to 2 weeks of recovery but offer long-lasting and often permanent results compared to non-surgical options.

Choosing the Right Treatment

The treatment for fat pad under-eye issues is based on individual assessment by a qualified specialist. A personalised approach that evaluates skin quality, fat pad size, facial anatomy, and aesthetic goals is necessary. 

Non-surgical methods are excellent for mild to moderate cases seeking quick improvement with minimal downtime. For more advanced or persistent fat pad protrusions, surgical blepharoplasty or combination treatments deliver the most effective and natural-looking outcomes.

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Conclusion 

Fat pads under the eyes can create unwanted puffiness and bags, affecting your overall appearance. Thankfully, several effective treatments are available, from topical care and injectable fillers to advanced surgical options such as blepharoplasty. The right treatment depends on your specific condition, whether it’s mild puffiness from oedema or more pronounced herniated fat pads.

Consulting with an expert ensures a personalised plan that smooths under-eye contours, reduces puffiness, and restores a refreshed look, safely and naturally. Whether you choose non-surgical options or surgical removal and repositioning of fat pads, modern techniques offer lasting results with minimal downtime.

FAQs

01. What causes fat pads under the eyes to become prominent?
Ageing, genetics, lifestyle, and skin laxity all contribute to the prominence of fat pads under the eyes.

02. Are fat pads under the eyes removable without surgery?
Yes, options like fillers and microneedling can reduce their appearance, but may not remove them completely.

03. How long does recovery take from fat pad under-eye surgery?
Typical recovery time ranges from 1 to 2 weeks for swelling and bruising to subside.

04. Can fillers effectively conceal nasojugal fat pads?
Yes, hyaluronic acid fillers can smooth the under-eye contour and camouflage fat pad bulges.

05. Is fat pad removal permanent?
Surgical removal or repositioning provides long-lasting or permanent results compared to non-surgical treatments.

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About Dr. Raj Thethi - Medical Reviewer

Dr. Raj Thethi

Yorkshire Skin Centre in Leeds is a CQC-registered medical clinic. It is led by Dr Raj Thethi who completed his core surgical training in hospitals around West Yorkshire before branching into aesthetics. Dr Raj Thethi is a Northern Territory Regional Expert for an international dermal filler company called Teoxane. He also sits on their National UK Faculty.

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Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, also known as an eye lift, is a surgical procedure performed on the eyelids to improve their appearance. It can address concerns like:

  • Excess skin on the upper eyelids: This can obstruct vision and create a hooded appearance.

  • Bags under the lower eyelids: These can make you look tired or aged.

  • Drooping lower eyelids: This can also obstruct vision and contribute to a tired appearance.


Types of Blepharoplasty:

  • Upper blepharoplasty: This addresses concerns with the upper eyelids, removing excess skin and sometimes fat or muscle tissue.

  • Lower blepharoplasty: This addresses concerns with the lower eyelids, removing excess fat or skin and sometimes repositioning tissues.

  • Asian blepharoplasty: This addresses specific concerns related to the anatomy of Asian eyelids, creating a more defined crease.