Home remedies for puffy eyes
1. Sleep well
Your eyes require sufficient rest from all the stress they endure during the hours you are awake. If you suffer from puffy eyes a lot, maybe your eyes are not getting proper rest. You should sleep for seven to eight hours every night. Also, check your sleeping position. Sleep with your head raised; propping your head up keeps fluids from accumulating under your eyes thus reducing puffiness.
2. Stay hydrated
Water makes up about 60 per cent of your body weight. Given this, it may not be surprising that dehydration can contribute to under-eye bags. Upping your water intake should help. Water also helps flush toxins out of the body. To stay well hydrated, drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water each day. Also, avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages that can be dehydrating.
3. Ditch the cigarettes
Cigarette smoke is chock full of harmful toxins and chemicals. It has over 4,000 different chemicals that can cause premature signs of aging. Regular smoking will dry out your skin, causing it to get weaker. Because that smoke is often blown around your face, the already delicate skin under the eyes is further compromised. Smoking restricts blood flow in your body and damages elastin and collagen in your skin. These fibres play a key role in your skin’s strength and resilience. Damage can result in droopy skin and increased swelling that adds years to your appearance. Smoking can also irritate your eyes, which results in more damage to the skin and causes your body to retain even more water. Ditching cigarettes altogether is one of the best ways to alleviate under-eye swelling. After you stop smoking, your body will slowly heal itself. You may be able to regain elasticity in your skin and prevent further damage from occurring.
4. Keep allergies under control
Tips and home remedies to get rid of puffy eyes are not really going to work in the long run if you have allergies. Therefore, you must treat them in time to achieve a really long-term effect to eliminate this problem. If allergies are the main cause of puffy eyes, then just seeing a doctor to get your allergies under control is the only thing that is going to get rid of your puffy eyes in the long run. Simply avoiding foods and other things that cause allergies can help eliminate puffy eyes.
5. Tea bags
Tea isn’t just for sipping. You can actually use caffeinated tea bags under your eyes to help with dark circles and bags. The caffeine in the tea contains powerful antioxidants and may increase blood flow to your skin. It’s also said to protect against Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and potentially slow the aging process. Green tea, in particular, has been touted by researchers for its potential anti-inflammatory effects. To do this: Steep two tea bags for three to five minutes. Let the tea bags chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Then, squeeze out the extra liquid and apply to your under-eye area. Leave the tea bags on for 15 to 30 minutes.
6. Reduce alcohol intake
While increasing your daily liquid intake is important, make sure it’s the right kind of drink. Alcohol, in fact, dehydrates the body and causes small blood vessels to dilate – making those puffy eye bags, even puffier.
7. Medications
When puffy eyes are as a result of a medical condition, medications to treat the condition can also help to manage the symptoms of puffy eyes. For example, antihistamines and allergy medications to control allergies can also reduce puffy eyes. If puffy eyes are causing eye irritation and impacting vision, an eye or physical exam can help to identify the cause of your swelling and determine a course of treatment, if necessary. Certain products that are used on the face can cause irritation and swelling, as can irritants and exposure to chemicals. Share information about all the products you use with your doctor.
8. Reduce salt
Salt contributes to your body’s fluid retention and can make you puffy. It may also lead to other health issues, such as heart disease and stroke. One way to immediately lower the salt in your diet is to avoid eating packaged, processed foods. Instead, try eating a diet based more on whole foods — fresh fruits and veggies — where you can control the salt content.
9. Remove make-up before going to bed
Improving your every night routine can aid you in avoiding puffy eyes. More importantly, it is vital to wash your face before sleeping. There are a few reasons you should not sleep in make-up. Firstly, if you sleep with your make-up, you may undergo an allergic reaction or develop an infection creating puffiness, redness, or other symptoms. Once you sleep in make-up, you expose the skin to free radicals, which can prematurely age your skin.
10. Place potato slices on your eyelids
Potatoes are also effective in getting rid of puffy eyes. The starch in potato is known to be anti-inflammatory in nature and can help reduce the swelling and fade the dark circles under your eyes. Place a slice of potato over your eyelids for several minutes. Repeat the process few times a day until the puffiness subsides. You may also refrigerate the slice before applying it for better results.
