Puffy eyes are a condition in which your eyes begin to swell due to various factors. If you have been staying up late at night staring at your computer, or watching TV or partying the night away, the chances of having puffy eyes in the morning are relatively high. They could also be the result of too little water intake, a bad diet, allergies, stress or even hereditary eye problems. Since eyes are the windows to the world, it is important to take care of them, especially beyond a certain age. Whatever the reason, it is rather very annoying to have to spend the whole day with swelling or bags under your eyes. Usually, with proper care, puffy eyes get normal after a while but if the problem persists for a long period, then it is advisable to seek the help of a doctor, as there may be more underlying issues. Treating normal puffy eyes can be done in the comfort of your own home using certain natural, but effective remedies, or in a more sophisticated way with creams, gels and surgery. Listed below are some easy home remedies to get rid of puffy eyes.
1. Tea bags
Tea bags are the easiest things to use to solve your puffy eye problem. Black tea contains tannin and caffeine, which encourages extra liquids to flush out of your skin by constricting your blood. Save the used tea bags in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 days. When you are ready to use, take them out of the refrigerator and gently squeeze to remove any excess liquid. Take a reclining position in a comfortable chair and close your eyes. Place the cold tea bags over each eye and then using a damp towel cover the bags. Keep cooling the cloth to further increase your relaxation. Take deep breaths inhaling and exhaling simultaneously, which will also aid in relaxation. This, combined with the cool chill from the bags, helps reduce puffiness. Leave the bags on your eyes for at least 10 to 20 minutes and then remove and discard. The longer you keep them the more effective the results will be. Another good option is to use Chamomile tea bags, as its anti-inflammatory properties work best against puffy eyes.
2. Potato juice
Another effective and time-tested remedy is to use potato juice on your eyes. It has the ability to reduce puffy eyes and also lighten the dark circles around your eyes. You can go about this in a few simple ways. You could either peel a raw potato and then squeeze the juice out or buy potato juice from specific stores. Although it is quite difficult to come across the juice in stores, there are various companies that sell them online. Once you have the juice ready in a bowl, take a cotton ball, dip it into the juice and apply around the eyes. Leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it with warm water.
3. Ice packs and water
This is one of the easiest things to do at home – especially on a day when you realize you have puffy eyes but none of the other home remedy ingredients at hand. Water has been proven to be a natural anti-ageing element, which helps reduce wrinkles and puffy eyes. Get an ice pack out of the freezer and cover with a towel. Lie down on a couch and place the ice pack over your eyes. Keep it that way for about 20 minutes and then remove. The cold temperature is known to reduce the puffiness in your eyes. You should note that this remedy works only for short periods of time as the ice melts. Repeat the process with a new set several times a day for immediate results.
4. Cucumber
This is the most commonly used remedy, tried and tested by many people. Studies have shown that cucumber contains anti-inflammatory properties which helps reduce redness and puffiness of eyes. A lot of eye creams are now using cucumber as ingredient. But instead of wasting money on those, use the real ingredient. Wash and slice a large fresh cucumber, reserving two slices. Lie down in a comfortable position and place the slices over your eyes. Remove after about 10 to 15 minutes and enjoy the cooling sensation. You need not waste the remaining cucumber, you can mash it and then use the same as a pack on your face, followed by a moisturizer to seal in the water.
5. Healthy diet
Curing the cause of puffy eyes from the inside is probably the best way to go about it. Make sure you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of cold water a day, as water keeps the skin hydrated and healthy. Food items rich in anti oxidants like beans, berries work wonders on your eyes and skin. Fruits should definitely form part of your diet as they promote a healthy skin. A good dose of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids also help. What you need to avoid is too much alcohol, sodium high foods and smoking as these can adversely affect your eyes.
