At some point, everyone experiences puffy eyes or under eye bags. However, many find themselves constantly battling these common concerns. Puffiness is most often caused by an accumulation of fluid in the delicate tissues around the eye. Due to the sensitive nature of this area, the fluid makes the under-eye area puffy or swollen. Although many assume that puffy eyes are evidence of sleep deprivation, there can be many other causes.
Other causes include:
- Fluid retention – Eating salty foods (salt causes your skin tissues to retain water), hormone levels, and weather or climate changes
- Your sleep position – Sleeping flat on your back
- Allergies, colds, or sinus problems
- Heredity – Many people have inherited the tendency to have bags under their eyes
- Irritation – Irritation can be caused by eye makeup or skin care products, as well as failure to thoroughly remove eye makeup at night.
- A medical problem – Puffy eyes may be a symptom of other medical problems, such as kidney or liver disease. They can also be a side-effect of the medication you are currently taking.
- Aging – As you age, the skin around the eyes becomes thinner. This allows more fluid to collect, often causing a puffy appearance.
Other tips to help reduce or eliminate puffy eyes:
- Reduce salt intake – Excess salt causes the body to retain water. This includes retaining fluid under the eyes.
- Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated – Sleep on your back with an extra pillow. This helps prevent fluids from accumulating around your eyes as you sleep.
- Treat allergy symptoms – Ask your doctor about over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes – The rubbing irritates the skin and can break tiny capillaries underneath the eyes, causing puffiness and dark circles.
- Never go to bed with makeup on – This can really irritate your eyes.
- Alcohol – Heavy drinking can contribute to under-eye bags because alcohol causes dehydration. This can weaken the skin in the under-eye area, which can lead to fluid build-up within that area.
Here are a few important notes to remember when dealing with under eye bags:
- Remember anything that irritates your eyes can cause bags (allergies, some makeup products, excessive rubbing, crying, or sleeping in makeup) because the irritation causes fluid to pool in the eye area.
- Be gentle when touching the area under your eyes because that is the most delicate skin on your body.
- Be careful when choosing your skin care products or eye creams. Using the wrong skincare products can make your under-eye bags worse. For example, some eye creams can make this delicate area puff up even more because the oils in the cream may cause fluid to be trapped in the eye area.
- Although bags and puffiness under your eyes are usually a cosmetic concern, it can occasionally be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. If you do not see any improvement after trying the above tips and products, you should see your doctor. Thyroid issues, kidney problems, and other conditions may be the root cause of the problem.
By: Lady Emmy