About Puffy Eyes

You woke up this morning and took a double-take while peeking in the mirror. What happened during the night that caused what looks like the Sandman's pillow to take up residence under your eyes?

Misconceptions

Many people think that you will only get puffy eyes from lack of sleep. However, there are many different reasons for those pockets of fluid resting under your lower lash line.

The Facts

Puffy eyes are the result of fluid being trapped in the tear ducts and surrounding delicate skin layer.

Effects

Puffy eyes are usually the result of one, some or many of the following actions:
When you cry, often not all tears are released through the tear duct, and the remaining fluid stays trapped under the eyes. You slept with your head lower than your feet. This will cause fluids that are usually distributed throughout your body to flow downward into your facial area. Your family members may be prone to eye puffiness along with yourself.
The cause could be food allergies. Milk has been known to cause darkness and puffiness under eyes. You might have excessive salt in your diet, causing water retention within your overall body. Puffy eyes could be caused by irritation from alcohol, smoke or lack of sleep. If your puffy eyes seem to be chronic, it could be the sign of a medical condition or issue. In this case, it's best to consult a physician.

Benefits

Eye creams and/or serums that have been developed specifically for the eye area, are most beneficial to the delicate skin surrounding the eye and should be gently applied on a daily basis. If you do not have a cream that has been specifically created for the eye area, then use the best moisturizer that you have. Make sure that it hasn't ever irritated your skin before applying it your eye area.
Always be careful to apply any topical product around the eye without ever getting it in the eye. If you do happen to get the product you are applying in your eye, gently rinse your eye with water. SPF or Sunscreen should always be applied to eyes to keep them from getting puffy due to sun damage.
Always dot and blot creams or ointments to your eye area with a non-power finger (such as your pointer finger). By applying small dots of your favorite cream and then quickly and gently blotting it along your skin area with your finger, you will be taking the best precautions in not irritating your eye area. Routine irritation of the eye area can lead to premature skin sagging, which can lend itself to excessive fluid retention.

Effects

To get rid of those puffy eyes, place a spoon in ice water or in a refrigerator/freezer to get it cold. Apply to each puffy eye area for as long as you can stand it (usually 1 minute). The coldness will disperse the fluid from the area.
Wet a tea bag, squeeze most of the fluid out, and then place it on the puffy area of the eyes. Leave for approximately 5 minutes. Blot the area with a cloth and rinse to remove excess topical fluid.
Many women purchase inflammation-reducing ointments and apply them sparingly to the lower eye skin. The inflammation reducing properties of these ointments will work on the fluid being held under the eye. Be careful not to apply a large amount of this type of ointment to your skin, as it may create a stinging sensation.
Cucumbers have a natural astringent that can be helpful when sliced and placed on the lower eye area for approximately 5 minutes.
Make sure to elevate your head somewhat when you go to sleep.