Bags under your eyes appear after an allergic reaction or when fluid accumulates in your face, according to the National Institutes of Health. Such puffiness doesn’t endanger your health but it can detract from your appearance. Though surgery and expensive cosmetic products can rejuvenate your appearance, at-home remedies can also perk up your eyes and reduce the size and appearance of under-eye bags for free.
Keep Your Head Raised
Simply sitting up helps lower the fluid levels in your face and can help decrease the size of the bags under your eyes. Sleeping with your head raised can also help minimize the size of your bags when you wake up, according to the Mayo Clinic. The clinic suggests using an extra pillow to keep your head a couple inches higher than the rest of your body.
Change Your Diet
Foods high in salt make your body retain water and become bloated, and will make puffy eyes look even puffier, says dermatologist David McDaniel for New York University’s Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. Cut out salt and you may quickly see improvements.
Cool and Soothe
Apply cool, soothing compresses to your eyes, suggests Columbia University’s Health Services. You don’t need to buy commercially prepared eye products. Instead, save the tea bag after you brew your tea and refrigerate it until it’s cool, then hold it against your eye for several minutes. Alternatively, the Mayo Clinic suggests using a washcloth dipped in cold water. The moisture and cool temperature may help reduce swelling under the eye and perk up your appearance.
Avoid Allergens
Allergens like irritating facial lotion or soap may make your eyes itchy and red, and exacerbate their puffiness. The Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding such allergens as much as possible to keep from irritating the skin around your eyes and making your bags look worse.
