How to shrink bags under your eyes
Getting rid of the bags under your eyes can feel like a never-ending battle. Your eyes can get puffy for many reasons — genetics, allergies, stress, fatigue, weather changes, salty foods. And as we age, the issue only seems to become more persistent. By our mid-twenties, our collagen and elastin production has decreased, causing the skin to become loose, saggy, and prone to fluid buildup. If you deal with puffy eyes, read on six tried and true ways of reducing puffiness around your eyes.
1. Cucumber Slices
One of the most popular and effective home remedies for treating eye puffiness, cucumber slices are rich in flavonoids and antioxidants. These reduce swelling, redness, and irritation. What’s more, cucumber slices have a cooling effect. They constrict dilated blood vessels. This reduces the appearance of puffiness around the eyes. Place two chilled cucumber slices over your eyes for 30 minutes. Also, drink water with cucumber slices. Doing so helps to hydrate your skin and flush out sodium.
2. Teabags
Both black tea and green tea bags soothe puffy eyes. They contain a natural astringent called tannin, which constricts blood vessels in the skin around your eyes. This reduces swelling. Drop two bags of tea of your choice in a mug of boiling water. Let them steep and then remove them. After the tea bags have cooled to room temperature, place one on each eye for 30 minutes. Rinse any remaining tea off your face.
3. Cold Water
This is one of the easiest ways to reduce puffiness around your eyes. Cold water acts as a vasoconstrictor, reducing blood flow to the skin under your eyes. This, in turn, reduces the appearance of puffiness. All you need to do is soak a clean washcloth in ice water and place it over your eyes for five to 10 minutes.
4. Jade Roller
Jade rolling may feel like a new routine to many, but the trend of jade rolling originated during the 7th Century in China. A skincare ritual reserved for the elite, the precious gemstone tool was said to provide anti-aging superpowers. Today, we can use jade rollers to promote lymphatic drainage. You can even keep your jade roller in the fridge or freezer for added cooling and an upgrade from chilled spoons.
5. Contouring Serum
A lifting eye creme or contouring serum can provide some calming relief to puffy bags. Look for soothing natural ingredients like chamomile, algae extract, hyaluronic acid or oils. Gently pat the product around the eye or choose a product with a built-in cooling tip or applicator.
8. In-Office Treatments
An in-office treatment like Thermage can help to tighten the skin around the eyes over time. Thermage stimulates and restructures collagen, helping to counteract the sagging and puffiness that can come with aging.
Prevent eye puffiness from the start
The best way to prevent puffiness begins with the right routine. Taking care of yourself and making healthy choices can help minimize your needs for the above.
Get seven to eight hours of sleep per night
Adequate rest is absolutely essential for looking fresh and clear-eyed each day. Just like the mind, the body needs time to regenerate and rejuvenate.
Sleep with your head slightly raised
Sleeping on your back with your head raised helps to prevent fluid from accumulating around your eyes as you sleep.
Treat allergies
A tried and true way of managing hay fever and other summer sniffles is with over-the-counter allergy medications.
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