Puffy eyes and dark circles are the sorry price we pay for late nights. A handful of us suffer these symptoms due to genetics, but for most, the main causes are lack of sleep, fatigue, allergies and stress.
Puffiness is the result of swelling in the lower eyelids. Dark circles, in contrast, are blood vessels that are visible through the skin. HELLO! Online brings you advice on banishing the bags and swelling that creep up after one too many late nights. Action plan for puffy eyes Applying cold objects like cucumber reduces blood flow and minimizes the puffy appearance, but only temporarily. For long-lasting results from the moment you wake up, try these tricks: • Before a late night, tuck into a vegetable based, low sodium meal to reduce fluid retention. • When you do eventually get to bed, keep your head elevated with a couple of big pillows. This will prevent fluid collecting around your eyes. • Wash your face with ice cold water as soon as you wake up. • Take some exercise. Even just a short walk will speed up the fluid drainage process and make your eyes brighter sooner.
Win the war against dark circles • Dark circles are a tell-tale sign of iron deficiency. Increasing your iron intake might help – try to eat more spinach, oatmeal, lentils, prunes and brown rice.• Try tea bags! Green and black tea have anti-inflammatory properties. A low-tech solution is to soak tea bags in warm water, cool them in the fridge, drain the excess liquid and then place the bags on closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. • A good night's sleep is one of the simplest and most effective solutions. • Try a serum treatment at home. Apply it twice a day for at least a month. • Hide them with an under-eye concealer.
