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Are you struggling with puffy eyes or dark circles? Eye bags can result from aging, but they may also be caused by factors like lack of sleep, allergies, and habits that lead to fluid retention. Eye bags are a cosmetic concern, as they often make individuals appear tired or unwell. Learn how to reduce eye bags with quick treatments, long-term strategies, and lasting cosmetic solutions in the article below.
Steps
Quick Fixes
Drink plenty of water. Eye bags often appear due to fluid retention caused by high salt levels around the eyes. You might wake up with puffy eyes after a salty dinner or after crying; whether from tears or food, salt draws water to your face and concentrates it under your eyes.
- Flush out excess salt in your body by drinking water. Avoid salty foods for the rest of the day.
- Stay away from dehydrating beverages like coffee or alcohol.
Soothe your eyes with something cold. You may have heard that placing cucumbers on your eyes reduces puffiness, but it’s actually the cool temperature that soothes the area. Cucumbers are the right shape, size, and texture for treating eye bags, so slice one up – just make sure it’s been refrigerated beforehand.
- If you don’t have cucumbers, wet a few tea bags and chill them in the freezer or fridge before placing them on your eyes. Use a gentle tea, like chamomile or peppermint, so you can also benefit from aromatherapy.
Use concealer makeup. In the short term, covering eye bags and dark circles with a bit of makeup is the quickest and most effective solution. The right concealer will minimize the appearance of puffiness and keep you looking fresh all day. Follow these steps when applying concealer:
- Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone. If your eye bags are dark, opt for a slightly lighter shade. Use your finger or a cotton swab to dab the concealer. Make sure to pat it gently rather than rubbing it into your skin. The concealer will cover better when it stays on the surface.
- Next, use a powder brush with a light dusting of setting powder to keep the concealer in place all day. Use a pressed powder (not a shimmering one) and a blush brush to add a touch of powder under your eyes.
Use tea bags. The tannins in tea bags help reduce eye puffiness.
- Boil water and steep two tea bags in hot water.
- Dip the tea bags up and down until they’re fully soaked.
- Remove the tea bags and let them cool on a plate. If desired, cover your face, nose, and eyes with a paper towel or washcloth.
- Lie down in a comfortable spot. Place each damp tea bag over an eye. Relax and rest for a few minutes.
- After resting, remove the tea bags. Hopefully, the swelling will have reduced when you check yourself in the mirror.
Long-Term Strategies
Address your allergies. Eye bags are often a result of allergies that cause facial irritation. Since the skin around the eyes is thinner than other areas of the body, fluids accumulate and cause swelling.
- Take allergy medication to manage hay fever (pollen allergies) and other seasonal allergies. Try over-the-counter options or ask your doctor for a prescription.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to allergens like flowers, dust, or pets. Ensure your home is vacuumed regularly and that linens are washed frequently.
Change your sleeping position. People who sleep on their stomachs or sides are more likely to wake up with puffy eyes, as these positions cause fluid to accumulate under the eyes overnight. Side sleepers may also notice that the eye on the side they sleep on has more pronounced puffiness than the other.
- Gradually try to sleep on your back more often than on your stomach or side. Changing your sleeping position isn’t easy, so it may take some time to adjust. You can use pillows to block your sides and make back sleeping more comfortable.
- Add an extra pillow if you sleep on your back. Elevating your head slightly will help prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes during the night.
Be gentle with your face. Facial skin, especially under the eyes, is thin and delicate, making it prone to damage and weakening, which can worsen puffiness. Follow these tips to care for the skin under your eyes more carefully:
- Never sleep with makeup on. Chemicals in makeup can irritate your eyes overnight. Washing your face before bed is a crucial step for good facial hygiene.
- Wash and dry your face gently. Scrubbing your face harshly and rubbing it dry with a towel can weaken the skin under your eyes. Use a high-quality eye makeup remover to gently cleanse, splash water on your face, and pat dry with a soft towel.
- Moisturize your face nightly. Ensure your face, especially the eye area, stays hydrated to maintain elasticity and strength. Use a toner or facial oil before bed.
- Apply sunscreen daily. Sun exposure can make the skin around your eyes more vulnerable. Protect your skin every day, even in winter.
Adjust your eating habits. Occasionally enjoying a salty dinner or a cocktail is fine, but if your daily routine involves high salt intake and alcohol consumption, it can have long-term effects on your eye bags. Years of fluid retention in the facial area can lead to permanent puffiness. To prevent this, try the following changes:
- Reduce the amount of salt you use in daily cooking. Cut it in half or eliminate it entirely – you might be surprised by how food tastes without excessive salt. Also, reduce salt in baked goods and avoid salty dinners, as your body won’t have enough time to balance fluids before bed.
- Drink less alcohol. Alcohol causes water retention, so the less you drink, the less puffy your eyes will be in the morning. If you drink at night, match each alcoholic drink with a glass of water. Stop drinking earlier in the evening rather than having a final drink right before bed.
Cosmetic Solutions
Use fillers. Eye bags or dark circles caused by aging won’t disappear with lifestyle changes, but hyaluronic acid fillers can improve the appearance of the under-eye area. Fillers are injected beneath the eyes to restore a more youthful look.
- This procedure can be risky if not performed by a professional. Do thorough research before deciding on fillers.
- Fillers typically cost several hundred dollars and may cause side effects like bruising or swelling.
Cosmetic surgery. As you age, fat deposits shift from the eyes and accumulate under them, causing eye bags. Blepharoplasty is a procedure that removes or repositions this fat, followed by laser treatment to tighten the skin in this area.
- The cost of eyelid surgery typically ranges from $2,000 to $5,000.
- The recovery period can take several weeks.
Tips
- Place two metal spoons (not plastic) in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Remove them and place one over each eye, with the hollow side facing down. Close your eyes while the spoons are on them. Leave them there until they warm up.
- Sleep longer. Avoid late-night TV shows or playing games on your iPad until the early hours. After a week of avoiding late nights, you’ll notice a significant difference.
- Avoid drinking too much water before bed, as fluids can accumulate under your eyes while you sleep.
- Freeze ice packs and place them over your eyes with a thin cloth in between.
- Breathe deeper. A lack of oxygen can also lead to darker eye bags.
- Place a cold spoon over each eye.
- Apply cucumber slices to your eyes.
- About 25% of the world’s population has naturally darker under-eye areas, often due to insufficient vitamin D. This is more common in females, particularly between the ages of 6 and 14.
- Use green tea. It helps keep your skin hydrated!
Warnings
- If eye bags or dark circles appear without a clear reason, it could be a sign of a medical condition. Consult a doctor if lifestyle changes don’t improve the situation.
