Just as we wish to face a new day well-rested, we want to tackle a new year looking and feeling our best. Coming into the start of 2020, we struggle to shake off holiday stress and get the new, refreshed look we’d like.
Baggy eyes are a tell-tale sign of long, sleepless nights and the stress that often shows up during the holiday season. For some of us, puffy eyes can also be due to aging, lifestyle, allergies, sun exposure, and even genetics.
Whatever the cause of your puffy eyes, here we offer the best surgical and nonsurgical treatments available in 2020 to help you look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the new year. Some are super simple; others are more surprising. But one thing is for sure – they work.
Non-surgical Treatments for Puffy Eyes
1) Drink Water
Chronic dehydration leads to the body restricting blood flow to certain parts of the body. This can cause a sunken or gaunt-looking area around the eyes and creates under-eye bags. The recommended amount of fluid intake each day is 13 cups of water a day for men and 9 cups a day for women. Drinking at least this much water each day will help you to maintain healthy hydration levels and address those dark circles.
2) Use Cold Compresses
Loose muscles and tissues can cause puffy eyes. This is because the fat that usually encapsulates the eyes slips into the upper cheek, creating the look of “bags” under the eyes. Cold compresses help to firm up the area and keeps everything in place. Simply place a cold compress wrapped in a cloth on each eye for three minutes each morning and night to restore a more rested look.
3) Use Tea Bags
Loss of skin elasticity creates pockets under the eyes where fluid can pool. This is why applying caffeine-rich tea bags to the area helps with baggy eyes – antioxidants and caffeine encourage blood flow to the skin, have anti-inflammatory effects, and promote collagen production, all of which help to keep the skin under the eyes firm and healthy.
After soaking tea bags in hot water (English tea works, but green tea is better), allow them to cool in the fridge for five minutes before leaving them on your (closed) eyes for fifteen-twenty minutes. You should begin to notice results after two weeks of consistent treatment.
4) Take Antihistamines
Allergic reactions to dust, pollen, fur, and other irritants cause the body to ‘flush’ itself. This results in watery and puffy eyes. If you have a known allergy, first try to avoid that irritant; however, if this isn’t practical, take an antihistamine such as Benadryl or Claritin to suppress your body’s reaction to the allergen.
Remember that soaps, makeup, and creams may also cause allergic reactions, so be mindful of the products you use on your skin.
5) Remove Makeup at Night
Keeping makeup on for too long exposes your skin to unnecessary irritation and even the potential of infection. If mascara runs in the night, it will surely result in red, irritated eyes in the morning.
It’s a simple step to take, but washing your face with a non-alcoholic cleanser before bedtime will give you a fresh start in the morning with bright, alert eyes.
Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
For some of us, particularly those who smoke or drink alcohol regularly, the eyes can make us look much older than we would like. Smoking denies the body vitamin C, which is essential to produce collagen and keep healthy skin. Excessive alcohol consumption keeps the body dehydrated, and in some cases, home remedies like those listed above are insufficient. Others may avoid smoking and alcohol consumption but still suffer from bags under the eyes due to a genetic predisposition. Sometimes, surgical intervention may be necessary to address this unsightly feature and restore a youthful, refreshed look.
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is the surgical removal of excess skin and fat tissue around the eyes that cause a swollen, baggy appearance. When performed by a trained and experienced surgeon, the procedure is safe, and patients report high levels of satisfaction.
Next Steps
Your eyes are critical facial features, and you want to trust them to only the most skilled and experienced surgeon. George H. Landis, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with outstanding experience, standards of professionalism, and patient reviews. He has been named as one of America’s top plastic surgeons and has been praised for his excellent communication with patients and office environment. To schedule a consultation or discuss solving your under-eye bags with one of the best in the business, call 052 562 5940 or fill out this online form.