Your Orange County eye doctor can tell you that puffy eyes may be caused by allergies, stress, eye fatigue, individual skin characteristics, or it can be an inherited facial feature. When your eyes are puffy, they can also be red and dry.
If you have puffy eyes, you’ve probably heard many do-it-yourself fixes. Popular remedies include cucumber slices, cotton balls soaked in milk, cold wet tea bags, and even anti-hemorrhoid creams like Preparation H under the eyes. Some of these solutions are more valid than others and will save you from looking like you just cried your eyes out after watching Titanic for the 14th time.
Easy Ways to Erase Eye Puffiness
Puffiness around the eyes has to do with fluid pooling near the eye area. To reduce the swelling, it is advised you focus on cooling and encouraging the fluid to move away from the area.
Cold Compress
Make a cold compress by running cold water over a clean, dry washcloth. Apply to the skin under and around your eyes while pressing gently. Make sure you are sitting up in a chair, so the fluid can drain from your eyes (if you are lying down it will have nowhere to go.)
Cucumber Slices
Cucumber slices are like mini-washcloths – they are cold and wet, and fit perfectly over the shape of your eyes. In addition, they are moisturizing, so if you use them you will get the bonus of a skin conditioning treatment. To treat puffy eyes, use a refrigerated cucumber and slice into ¼ in. medallions. Sit up, preferably on the sofa – where you can lean your head back slightly—and place the cucumber slices on your eyes. Keep them there until they are no longer cool.
Tea Bags
Many kinds of tea bags have been recommended to treat the eyes. These include chamomile (to soothe), rooibos (to brighten), and green (for pink eye or a black eye). To treat puffy eyes, experts are recommending black tea due to its high caffeine content. Caffeine is said to constrict the blood vessels, reducing puffiness and inflammation. It also keeps skin taut. In addition, black tea contains antioxidants called flavonoids and tannins that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
To use, steep two tea bags as you normally would if you were going to drink the tea. Squeeze out the excess liquid and place them on a small plate under saran wrap in the refrigerator until cold. Apply the tea bags to closed eyes for 15-30 minutes.
Gentle Eye Massage
To ease puffy eyes, your Orange County eye doctor can show you how to gently massage the area around your eyes to increase blood flow to the area. Or, follow these directions from Healthline.com:
1. Work the pressure points in your brow for a few seconds before sweeping your fingers from the inside corner of your eye outward. This helps drain that area that’s inflamed.
2. Then tap at your sinuses using two fingers on each hand, starting on either side of your nose and working outward. You may even feel fluid moving in this area.
3. It’s all about moving fluid, so you may also want to gently massage the lymph nodes in your neck. Work in a downward motion, away from your face.
4. Continue for about 3 minutes and repeat as needed.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel contains compounds with many anti-inflammatory properties, including gallic acid and tannins. Studies show that topically applied witch hazel can effectively reduce inflammation and help soothe your skin. For use on your eyes, you probably want an alcohol-free brand like Thayers, T.N. Dickenson’s, or Quinn’s. To use, apply the witch hazel to a cotton pad and place over your eye area for five to ten minutes.
Eye Roller
There are now eye cooling gels dispensed by tubes with metal roller balls, designed specifically for puffy eye relief. To use, hold the tube like you would an eye pencil and sweep back and forth under each eye to massage in.
A higher-end option is Clinique’s All About Eyes Serum, which both “cools and hydrates.”
A highly reviewed option at half the price is the First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller, which has caffeine in its formula.
A good budget option is Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller, formulated with Vitamin C, Mint, and Caffeine.
Refrigerated Eye Cream
Since cooling the eye area reduces puffiness by constricting blood vessels, refrigerating your favorite eye cream before use can work in your favor. According to Elizabeth Tanzi, associate clinical professor, department of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center, eye cream is pretty much the only facial product that benefits from refrigeration.
There are also creams which are specifically designed to be refrigerated. Kenzoki Ice-Cold Eye Cream has a 4-star rating on Sephora.com.
To use, keep any eye cream in the refrigerator and apply as you normally would.
A Final Thought…
If eye puffiness is a recurring or serious problem, you should take a look at your diet. “Soda makes you dehydrated, and when you eat foods that are high in sodium, your body retains the salt and you get puffy, especially under your eyes,” says Michele Green, a dermatologist in New York City. Ask your Orange County eye doctor for eye-friendly diet tips.
Orange County Eye Doctor
Dr. Ghosheh at Advanced Eye Medical offers non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments to help with your puffy eye symptoms. These include fillers such as Juvederm, Voluma, and Botox, and skin resurfacing treatments to optimize skin texture and health. Our team also provide the highest quality skin care products for home care to protect, correct, and maintain skin health. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Ghosheh at Advanced Eye Medical Today!