Puffiness Under Eyes: How Can I Reduce Under Eye Bags?

Puffy eyes can come in several varieties: a slight swelling, dark eye bags, or sagging patches of skin. Regardless of what type they are, they aren't what most people would like to see on their own faces. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to prevent and treat this problem.

• Too much or too little sleep
• Excessive salt in one's diet
• Use of alcohol and tobacco
• Aging
• Conditions that promote fluid retention, such as pregnancy and menstruation
• Side effects of certain medications
• Genetics or heredity
• Allergic reactions

Fortunately, sagginess under the eyes is usually just a cosmetic problem. However, it would be wise to consult a physician about it because in some cases it can be a symptom of an underlying disease.

Tips for Relieving Under Eye Bags

Changing aspects of one's lifestyle for the better helps the eyes and skin to look better. For instance, skin care experts recommend consuming foods that are abundant in the vitamins A, C, and E as these promote clear skin and prevent eye puffiness.

Getting the right amount of sleep regularly is important to avoid eye bags. It would also help to sleep with your head slightly more elevated; just add an extra pillow. Doing this can prevent gravity from redistributing fluid under your skin that is associated with swelling.

Stay away from allergens, or those substances that cause your eyelids to swell in an allergic reaction. These can include medication, so ask your doctor about a possible substitute if you find yourself reacting this way to a drug.

A number of home remedies provide short-term relief in a pinch. You can apply a cold compress to your under eye bags, or even just splash some cold water repeatedly on your face. The water's cold temperature helps prevent fluid from flowing into your tissues, thus reducing eye puffiness. Slicing and then applying cucumbers or potatoes to the eyelids can also provide relief since these substances have astringent, soothing benefits.

You may also want to consider using an eye cream or gel specifically designed to eliminate the bags under your eyes. A number of them are effective at this since they promote the body's production of the skin proteins collagen and elastin, thus improving the skin's health and elasticity.

Some anti-aging skin care products also contain substances that improve the body's lymphatic system, preventing fluid from building up in the skin below the eyes.

Keep in mind though that the best eye cream won't be able to resolve the problem of puffiness under eyes if you don't take other steps and engage in healthy lifestyle practices.