You’ve been there. Early A.M. Yawn, stretch, a glance in the mirror… and what do you see? Puffy eyes. Not exactly how you were planning to face the day. Here’s some handy cures that’ll have you marching forth looking wide-eyed and refreshed ready to take on the world.
Cucumber Slices
Tried but true and here’s why they work. Cucumbers are rich in flavonoids and antioxidants that help with swelling, redness and irritation. They feel cool on the eyes and also have a cooling effect that helps constrict dilated blood vessels, thus reducing the appearance of puffiness. So keep a cucumber chilling in your fridge’s vegetable drawer ready to slice at a moment’s notice. Lie down, place a couple of cool rounds over your eyes for about 30 minutes and wait for the magic to happen.
Cold Water
You say you haven’t got 30 minutes or for that matter, a cucumber? Here’s something even easier. Plain old cold water is one of the most convenient ways to reduce the appearance of puffy eyes at home. It acts as a vasoconstrictor that lowers blood flow to the skin under your eyes. Grab a clean washcloth, soak it in cold water – ice water works even better – squeeze out the the excess and place it over your eyes for several minutes.
Tea Bags
This approach is more a preventative measure than a cure you can apply at a moment’s notice. It’s not exactly a good idea to place steaming tea bags over your eyes! First let two pouches of black or green tea cool to room temperature after a dip in hot water. Then place them over your eyes for about 15 minutes and let tannin, the natural astringent found in both, go to work constricting blood vessels in the surrounding skin. Rinse with water. Do this once or twice a week to tighten and tone skin under and around the eyes and stop puffiness in its tracks.
Egg Whites
Here’s a solution you can apply to reduce puffiness while still continuing to get ready for your day. Gently smooth some lightly beaten egg white to skin under the eyes with your fingers and let it dry for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm or cold water. Egg whites can help reduce inflammation and stimulate circulation under the eyes. Whip up a couple for a protein-infused breakfast while you’re at it!
Chilled Spoons
If you can remember, place a couple of spoons in the refrigerator overnight. Faced with puffy eyes in the morning, you can always grab the pieces of silverware, place them strategically over the problem and let them go to work constricting blood vessels in the skin under the eyes. Puffiness should soon dissipate. If you find the spoons a little too chilly on your eyes first thing in the morning, wrap them in a thin cloth or face towel. Alternately, stick a couple of spoons in the freezer for a few minutes in the morning if you forget to the night before and follow the same procedure.
The above are only short term solutions. If droopy or puffy eyelids persist, unnecessarily aging and giving you a tired appearance, there is a long term solution. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess fatty deposits and loose skin around the eyes. By improving the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, you’ll end up looking considerably more rested and alert. Blepharoplasty is a service we offer at the Skin and Beauty Center – give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide further information.