Eyes that look puffy, droopy and swollen may not necessarily be caused by a lack of sleep. Puffy eyes may be caused by diet, heredity, hormone levels, allergies and changes in weather and humidity. If you’re sick of looking more tired than you really are, determine the cause of your puffy eyes to eliminate puffiness completely.
Cucumber Slices
Applying cold cucumber slices to the eye may help reduce water retention and swelling in the under-eye area, according to Real Simple magazine. Cut two slices of fresh cucumber and place them in the freezer for five minutes. Before leaving the house, remove them from the freezer and place them over the eyes while sitting up. This will encourage drainage of the eye area and make baggy eyes less noticeable. Repeat as necessary throughout the day to reduce puffiness.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel, a natural astringent, may help reduce swollen bags underneath the eyes, says makeup artist Shalini Vadhera in Cosmopolitan magazine. Drench two clean cotton pads in witch hazel, then apply them to the eye area. Leave the pads over the eyes for five minutes while in an upright position.
Chemical Peel
The Mayo Clinic recommends a chemical peel to help tighten bags under the eyes due to sagging skin. A chemical peel is performed by a dermatologist, who uses a mixture of acidic chemicals to burn away skin cells on the face. When new skin grows back, it is tighter and more resilient, and this reduces the appearance of sagging underneath the eyes. You may require more than one chemical peel before optimal results are achieved.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon. Blepharoplasty provides drastic results for bags under the eyes due to sagging skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. A cosmetic surgeon removes excess skin from the under-eye area and then reconstructs the lower eyelid to create a smooth and natural-looking surface. Blepharoplasty is expensive and is not usually covered by health insurance.
