Doxycycline for Malar Bags

Malar bags, also referred to as malar oedema, are areas of swelling and puffiness between the eyelids/eyebags and the upper cheeks, usually sitting just to the outside of this area.

Malar bags are often hereditary contour irregularities that can be further associated with dietary and environmental issues. These can include a relationship to salt intake, alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation and a range of other factors.

They have been notoriously difficult to improve surgically and non-surgically and various treatments have been tried over the years. More recently, there has been success using doxycycline injections. Doxycycline is a commonly used antibiotic for a variety of infections, but in addition, it also has other properties, one of which is sclerosant effects. This means that it causes localised inflammation and scarring, and in some people, this has had a beneficial effect on malar bags by getting the bags to adhere to the deeper tissue.

What does it involve?

Doxycycline is injected directly into the malar bags sometimes after the application of local anaesthetic cream or local anaesthetic injections.

Immediately after the treatment there will be redness and swelling as well as possible bruising. These appearances tend to resolve after a week. Cool packs or compresses may help after the injections once you are home.

Allergy to the injections is not common but possible and infections are also uncommon. Rarely vascular occlusion can occur (blockage of a blood vessel) that could result in scabbing to the skin and scarring in the area. This will be signified by immediate severe pain and changes to the colour of the overlying skin. If you notice any of these symptoms please contact the clinic immediately.