Overview
If you consistently wake up with puffiness beneath the eyes, you can make the swollen bags disappear before you walk out the door. Puffy eyes may be caused by a lack of sleep, allergies and consuming too much salt, caffeine or alcohol. Your age and heredity are also factors. Reducing puffy eyes before going out in the morning may improve your appearance temporarily, but pinpointing the cause of your baggy eyes and addressing it is the only way to get rid of bags under the eyes permanently.
Step 1
Rinse a washcloth in cold water. Wring it out and place it over the eyes for several minutes, suggests the Mayo Clinic. If necessary, rinse the washcloth again if it begins to get warm. Repeat as necessary throughout the day to reduce swelling.
Step 2
Saturate two cotton balls with witch hazel, and place the cotton balls over your closed eyes, recommends makeup artist Shalini Vadhera in “Cosmopolitan” magazine’s website. Leave the cotton balls on your eyes for five minutes.
Step 3
Place two spoons in the freezer the night before. The next morning, take the spoons out of the freezer and place them over your eyes for several minutes. The frozen spoons will reduce swelling and tighten the skin beneath the eyes.
Step 4
Rinse two black teabags in cold water, then place them over your eyes. Teabags contain caffeine, which firms the under-eye area. Wrap the teabags in tissues before placing them on your eyes to prevent your skin from staining.
Step 5
Place a bag of frozen peas over your eyes for several minutes. The bag of peas will contour to your face, while the cold temperature of the bag helps reduce swelling.
Tips and Warnings
- Cut alcohol and caffeine out of your diet to help reduce under-eye circles.
- Consult a doctor if puffy eyes are itchy or accompanied by other symptoms.
About this Author
Madison Whitfield has been a freelance writer and editor since 2006. She has written hundreds of health, fitness, travel, beauty and grooming articles for numerous print and Internet publications. Whitfield earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University, where she studied writing.
