Puffy eyes can be a hereditary trait; if your parents have puffy eyes, it's likely you do as well, according to MayoClinic.com. Because the area under the eye is very thin, fluid and enlarged blood vessels can cause puffy eyes. This does not mean you have to live with puffy eyes, however, which can make you look older and tired. By taking steps to reduce your puffy eyes, you can improve your appearance.
Step 1
Sleep more. When you don't sleep enough, your eyes become irritated and swollen. This leads to added puffiness. Sleeping with a pillow underneath your head also maximizes your ability to reduce under-eye pockets; this allows any fluid to drain downward as you sleep, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 2
Apply a cold compress to the affected area. This can help reduce swelling immediately after waking because the cold temperature causes the blood vessels under your eyes to constrict, according to Skin Care Beauty Zone. A cold compress can be as simple as a washcloth dipped in cold water to sliced cucumbers placed over the eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes, then repeat as needed throughout the day.
Step 3
Apply a cream designed to treat puffy eyes. These creams contain active ingredients such as caffeine or cucumber to encourage the blood vessels to constrict, according to "Real Simple" magazine.
Step 4
Drink plenty of water. If you are retaining fluid under your eyes, water can help to flush excess sodium out of the body.
Step 5
Take a decongestant if your puffy under-eye pockets are due to allergy symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. Because of the close proximity of the veins in your nose to those in your eyes, the eyes can become swollen when your nose is stopped up.
Things You'll Need
- Cold compress, such as cucumber slices
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