There are a number of reasons why you may have puffy eyes, so treating them depends on narrowing down the cause. Skin-care expert Paula Begoun cautions that eye creams and other cosmetic treatments probably won't help you, so it's best to stay away from a spendy "miracle in a jar." Puffy eyes must be treated according to their cause; treatments can include simple at-home remedies or taking care of an underlying medical condition. Sometimes your best and only choice to treat puffy eyes is surgical remediation.
Puffy Eyes: Why You Have Them
Begoun states that puffy eyes generally occur for three reasons, the first being the aging process. As you age, the muscles around the eyelids become weaker, and the pads of fat above the eyes shift, moving below the eyes and making them appear puffy. Puffy eyes can be hereditary. They can also be the result of untreated allergies, fluid retention and consuming too much sodium. Age-related and genetically predetermined puffy eyes don't have an at-home cure, Begoun cautions. In these cases, cosmetic surgery is the only option. But if you suddenly experience swollen eyes or eye bags, there are certain treatments that you can try at home.
Suddenly Puffy?
Swollen eyes aren't something you want to wake up to when you have a big meeting first thing that morning. The answer is quick and cheap: a cold compress. Begoun advises using a washcloth soaked in cold water or applying a refrigerated gel-filled eye mask to your eyes. After several minutes, some of the puffiness may be gone. Alternately, you can also use damp, cool tea bags. Caffeinated tea must be used, as it contains tannin.
Allergies
If eye puffiness is accompanied by redness and itching, you might need to get allergies under control. Puffy eyes are a common issue for allergy-sufferers. An over-the-counter antihistamine can be helpful in reducing puffy eyes, but this medication can cause drowsiness. BeautyBrains.com guest blogger Dr. Michael Breus, PhD, points out that allergy symptoms such as coughing and sneezing can push air behind the pockets of fat in your eyes, making them protrude forward. A plan of care devised by your allergist is your best bet to resolve all of your symptoms, not just puffy eyes.
Eyelid Surgery
The medical procedure used to treat puffy eyes is called blepharoplasty, surgery conducted by a plastic or cosmetic surgeon to remove excess fat, muscle and skin to give you a more alert appearance. Mayo Clinic experts say that eyelid surgery is usually a day procedure performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon makes his cut following the natural crease of the eyelid. After making repairs, he sutures or tapes the incision closed. Blepharoplasty is a quick procedure that usually takes less than two hours. Mayo Clinic experts state that many people who undergo eyelid surgery are satisfied with the results.
Preventive Strategies
To prevent puffy eyes, the Mayo Clinic advises sleeping with your head elevated rather than flat on your back, so fluid won't collect in your eyelids. Also, get plenty of sleep. Begoun suggests paying attention to your contact lenses, if you wear them; make sure they're the right fit and that they're kept clean. Take off eye makeup before you go to bed, taking special care to removing mascara and eyeliner. Begoun also advises using skin-care products without fragrance, including essential oils and fragrant plant extracts. Finally, quit smoking. Cigarette smoke can be the cause of puffy eyes. If you live in the same home as a smoker, politely ask him or her to smoke outside or in another room.
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