Puffy eyes are a common occurrence that can stem from a number of factors, including allergies, the way you sleep, aging, hormone swings or even your genetic predisposition. While puffy eyes tend to chiefly be a cosmetic concern, there are several ways to adjust your lifestyle to reduce eye puffiness and treatment options to decrease inflammation and blood-vessel dilation under the eyes.
Step 1
Sleep with your head elevated on a pillow. If you lie flat during sleep, fluids can pool around your eyes, giving your eyes a puffy appearance. If you aren't used to sleeping with a pillow, try simply one pillow to elevate your head. If possible, work your way up to lifting your entire head off your bed for best results.
Step 2
Get plenty of sleep each night. Lack of sleep causes inflammation in the body, and inflammation can lead to blood-vessel dilation. This dilation results in eye puffiness and is also one of the causes of dark circles under eyes. Aim for anywhere from seven to nine hours per night, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Reduce the amount of sodium intake in your diet. Sodium causes the body to retain fluid, which can result in under-eye puffiness. By limiting the amount of high-sodium foods you eat on a daily basis, you may see a reduction in overall puffiness.
Step 4
Drink more water. If your under-eye puffiness is due to retaining sodium, which can occur for women prior to their menstrual period, drink water to help flush the sodium out of the body.
Step 5
Apply a cool compress. If your under-eye puffiness is because of blood-vessel dilation---such as when you have been crying---apply cool water onto your face with a soft washcloth to help soothe the blood vessels. Press gently to the eyes for a few minutes to experience the best results.
Step 6
Take allergy medications or utilize an allergy eyedrop to reduce allergy symptoms. Puffy, red, and/or itchy eyes are a common occurrence during allergy season, because allergens can cause swelling of the sinus cavity---which, in turn, causes swelling of the eyes. Avoid the source of your allergies whenever possible, and utilize over-the-counter medications to reduce puffiness.
Tips and Warnings
- Sometimes puffy eyes can be an unfortunate byproduct of the aging process. When you age, the skin underneath your eyes becomes thinner and it is able to retain more fluid. If this is the cause of your puffy eyes, you can use over-the-counter under-eye creams to help "lift" the skin or have eyelid surgery.
Things You'll Need
- Pillow
- Soft washcloth
- Allergy medicine
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