Puffy, baggy eyes can be caused by tiredness, allergies, dehydration or crying. Some people's baggy eyes are even hereditary. The skin around your eyes is very thin and the blood vessels underneath the surface are very sensitive. Baggy eyes can make you look tired and much older than you actually are. While there are cosmetics that can cover up baggy eyes, there are things you can do to actually make the bags under your eyes go away.
Ice your eyes. The CNN Health website recommends a cold compress to help reduce puffy eyes. Put a cold ice pack over your eyes for about 15 to 20 minutes when you wake up. The cold reduces the swelling under your eyes; however, this is only a quick fix. Ice can only reduce the bags under your eyes for a few hours. Consistently using an ice pack can slow down the larger bags under your eyes from developing. The cold temperature will also help reduce stress and the stretching of the skin.
Make a tea compress. Green tea helps get rid of the puffiness and swelling beneath your eyes. Brew a cup of tea with two green tea bags. Take the tea bags out of the cup, let the water drip out, then chill. Apply the tea bags to your eyes while laying down for at least 20 minutes during a nap or at the end of the day. Green tea works because it contains the anti-inflammatory EGCG.
Sleep. If you don't sleep enough, you rob your body of the chance to repair. As you sleep, your body recovers from the abuse you put it through every day. Therefore, if you are sleep deprived, it shows in the bags underneath your eyes. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get at least eight hours of sleep per night. If you can't get that much sleep, try to take a 15-minute nap. CNN Health recommends resting with your head elevated with a few pillows. Elevating your head prevents fluid from accumulating underneath your eyes.
Stop smoking. Smoking reduces the vitamin C in your body, making your eyes watery, baggy and bloodshot.
Give yourself facial. A facial massage can help reduce the bags under your eyes by providing blood flow to the skin and making your skin more elastic. Clean your face, then put a think layer of light oil or cream over your skin. Place your index finders on the sides of your nostrils and apply pressure. Move your fingers in tiny circular motions for 10 seconds. Take a break and repeat five times. The sides of your nostrils are acupressure points that release toxins and help reduce bagginess under your eyes.
Eat healthy. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamin C that can help reduce the bags under your eyes. Grapefruit, oranges and carrots are all good examples. Vitamin C starts the process of cell regeneration, which gets rid of inflammation and can reduce those dark bags underneath your eyes. Avoid foods that make you retain water. These are foods that contain a high amount of salt. According to health experts at the University of Illinois, you should eat 1,100 to 3,300 milligrams of sodium per day; they also recommend avoiding soy sauce, seasoned salt and Worcestershire sauce.
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Writer Bio
Emily Ann has been a writer since 2005 specializing in a variety of topic, including health and fitness. She has experience in broadcast media and wants to bring her knowledge of breaking down complex stories into easy-to-follow articles for the various online publications for which she writes. Ann earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism and English.