Puffy eyes, also known as under-eye bags, are usually temporary, but there are a few things you can do to prevent them.
Puffy eyes, a slight swelling under the eyes, can be caused by a number of factors including lack of sleep, eating too much salt or allergies.
Consultant ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon, Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, who is a spokesperson for Optase Life, has revealed everything you need to know about puffy eyes.
Why do we get puffy eyes?
“The eyeball is in a bony socket called the orbit which is cushioned in fat,” she explains. “The fat is held back and supported by a structure known as the orbital septum, which is paper thin. Unfortunately, over time, the septum weakens, and the orbital fat prolapses forward causing eye bags and puffy eyes.”
How can they be treated at home?
Puffy eyes can often be treated with simple lifestyle tweaks, such as getting more sleep at night and drinking more water.
“Puffiness can be triggered or worsened by lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep, allergies, smoking, nasal congestion, dehydration and eating too much salt,” the consultant ophthalmologist warns. “Monitor your lifestyle choices in relation to these factors to see if you can start seeing an improvement.”
However, puffy eyes can also be caused by health problems such as eye conditions or infections.
“Puffiness can sometimes be triggered by ocular diseases such as styes, blepharitis and conjunctivitis which can be secondary to infection, allergy and hayfever,” Dr Hawkes states. “Medical conditions such as thyroid dysfunction and lymphoma can also cause eyelid puffiness.”
Does make-up affect puffy eyes?
Rubbing your eyes can sometimes cause them to swell, so it is important to be gentle when removing your make-up.
“Puffy eyes require care – I stress the importance of removing make-up carefully and gently with minimal rubbing of the eyes,” the expert says.
Use cooling care
Dr Hawkes also suggests the use of ice globes, which increase blood flow to the under-eye area.
She continues, “Ice globes serve to minimise inflammation and puffiness, promote lymphatic drainage, improve sinus pressure, reduce redness, and kick-start the circulation to give a radiant glow to the skin – not unlike a cold shower for the face!”
