What Causes Bags Under Eyes
You wake up in the morning with bags under your eyes that make you look like a UFO. What caused them and how do you prevent them? Below I will discuss common puffy eye symptoms and the leading factors that cause them. You will also learn interesting tips on how to prevent bags under eyes so that you can finally wake up to the radiant person you know you are!
Why You Have Bags Under Eyes
Fluid Retention :
This generally means that body fluids have settled overnight in the eye area. Generally you can trace bags under eyes to activities of the previous day. Perhaps you drank to many fluids at bed time or ate salty foods. Usually the swelling subsides after a few hours and the fluid is re-absorbed by your body.
Allergic Reaction:
You had plenty of sleep but still wake up to puffy eyes. Bags under eyes can also be attributed to an allergic reaction. Perhaps you're allergic to a food you ate or the feathers from your down pillow. Hormonal changes during menstruation also lead to puffy eyes.
Aging:
Yes, you are aging and your skin is not as it use to be. More permanent symptoms of bags under eyes is caused by normal aging. As you age, skin around the eyes becomes thinner and its elasticity weakens, causing underlying fat to bulge out.
Illness:
Be aware of the type of puffiness you have around your eye. If it resembles round pouches rather than puffiness it can be a sign of a thyroid condition known as Grave's disease or a kidney problem.
Reduce Under Eye Bags
Although there are many causes for bags under eyes, you can deflate the puffiness! Here's how:
1. Cold water
A splash of cold water will get your circulation moving so that fluids trapped in the eye release into the rest of your body. The cold water also reduces swelling.
2. Tapping
Lightly tap your upper and lower lids to nudge fluids away from the eyes. This also gets the fluids circulating to other areas in your body.
3. Spoon
Chill a spoon in the refrigerator and place it over your closed eyes for a few minutes. This reduces the swelling in your eye.
4. Tea bags
Moisten two tea bags and rest them over your closed eyes for 15 minutes. The tea helps tighten the skin and reduce bags under eyes.
5. Midol
Many symptoms during menstruation can cause under eye bags like fluid retention. If you retain water during your period, an over the counter product like Midol will help reduce puffy eyes.
6. Antihistamine
Under eye bags caused by allergic reactions can be alleviated with an antihistamine like Benedryl. If your eyes are puffy, red, and itchy, your under eye bags may be caused by an allergic reaction.
7. Concealer
This neat makeup trick works wonders to cover puffy eyes: Simply apply a darker shade of make up on your upper lid just below the brow to the crease. Next apply a lighter shade of concealer on the lower portion of the lid. Puffiness is less noticeable when you highlight the lower portion of the lid.
Tips to Prevent Bags Under Eyes
Follow these tips to prevent undereye bags. You'll wake up looking fresh and rested by tomorrow.
1. No drinks
Stay away from drinks at bedtime or restrict yourself to only a few sips. Drinking fluids before bedtime increases your body's fluid retention and the likelihood it will settle in your eyes during sleep.
2. Raise your bed
Elevating the head of your bed will prevent bags under eyes. Raising your head will keep fluids from setting around your eyes. Try placing six inch wooden blocks under your bed's headboard.
3. Beware of wrinkle creams
Some wrinkle creams work too well; they plump up the skin to reduce wrinkles but also help give you puffy eyes. Try using a dark circle cream like RevitaLume which targets dark circles and undereye bags.
4. Skip the feather comforter
If you have a feather comforter and find that you often wake up with bags under your eyes it can be a sign that you are allergic to feathers. Try switching to quilts and pillows filled with cotton or synthetic material.
5. Stay away from salty foods
According to Dr. Stefanyszyn, foods with high salt and MSG contribute to puffy eyes. Try to stay away from dinners that contain too much salt or sodium.