Puffy Eyes in the Morning - What Causes Them?

What could be more frustrating than getting out of bed and still feeling tired? It's definitely looking in the mirror and seeing swollen eyes that are screaming: "I had an amazing night out".

Well, if you really were at a party, don't worry, the bloating in your face will most likely disappear the next day after a full night's sleep. But what if you didn't go out last night and your eyes look puffy anyway? What may be the cause of waking up with such a tired-looking face regularly?

Puffy eyes are without a doubt one of the most unpleasant things you can experience in the morning, especially if you have a big meeting or a special day ahead of you. Fortunately, there are many ways that can help you get rid of them and improve your appearance. But in order to find the best solution for you, you must first figure out what is causing your swollen eyelids.

In this article, we will go over the most common reasons for eye puffiness and how you can deal with this unpleasant problem.

Why do you get puffy eyes in the morning?

There are a bunch of causes that may lay behind your puffy eyes. They can range from some innocuous ones such as poor night's sleep and excessive salt consumption to medical-related causes such as thyroid problems or kidney disease. Furthermore, your age and genetics are also factors you need to consider.

It is critical to determine why you have early-morning puffy eyes so that you can take action and avoid them. Here we will look at some possible causes of swollen eyes.

You ate way too much salty food last night

Do you love eating french fries with spicy chicken tenders, or maybe you love having pasta with that creamy sauce? Do you frequently consider ordering burritos or tacos for dinner? Well, bad news. These foods contain too much salt and are one of the main culprits for early-morning puffy eyes.

They cause your body to retain fluid, resulting in unsightly under-eye swelling. Not to mention the negative impact that the excessive consumption of salty foods has on your overall health. So, the next time you're about to order a pizza or spaghetti for dinner, consider whether you're prepared to face the consequences the next morning.

You went to bed far too late

Whether you regularly go out with friends, watch your favourite series, or lose track of time, not getting enough sleep will almost always affect your appearance. There is a great chance to experience dark circles as well as fluid and blood retention around your eyes. Furthermore, sleep deprivation can accelerate skin ageing, which not only causes wrinkles but also worsens the look of dark circles and under-eye bags.

You had a heavy night of drinks

Enjoying a night out with friends and drinking alcohol is a good way to unwind. However, waking up with a puffy face in the morning may not be as enjoyable. It's not surprising to have swollen eyelids after a night of drinking. Such beverages might dehydrate your body and create water retention around your eyes.

Of course, you can enjoy a glass of wine every now and then, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, don't let this become your constant practice. Drinking too much alcohol can not only ruin your beauty but is also harmful to your health.

It is that time of the month

Yes, in addition to all other unpleasant symptoms you may have during your period, you can also experience puffy eyes. The hormonal fluctuation at that time of the month makes you retain water in your overall body, including the delicate eye area. The good news is that your eye swelling will quickly disappear at the end of your period. Until then, make sure to keep your body hydrated and stay away from alcohol and salty food.

You neglect your water intake

"You should drink plenty of water!" You've probably heard it from many beauty and nutrition influencers, as well as read it in a number of healthcare articles. And this is not by chance. Water is essential to your body. It improves digestion, regulates blood pressure, and keeps your skin hydrated.

It can even have an effect on your mood. Neglecting your regular intake causes your body to store and retain water for future demands. As a result, your face and eyes can appear quite puffy, especially if you have gone without water for an extended period of time.

You're allergic to something

Your eyes may appear swollen because you are allergic to certain food or have a seasonal allergy. In such cases, the skin surrounding your eyes puffs out and swells because your body releases the so-called histamines, which are chemicals produced by the immune system.

These histamines cause fluid to move out from the blood vessels under the eyes, resulting in noticeable puffiness and fluid retention in the area. Some other common symptoms of allergy include runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, cough and so on. In such cases, it is critical to consult with an allergist to determine the source of the allergic reaction and prescribe the right treatment.

You are suffering from a medical condition

In rare circumstances, puffiness in the face can be caused by health conditions. Kidney problems, thyroid disease, and conjunctivitis are some of the disorders that can cause puffy eyelids. If this is the case, it is essential to treat the main disease first.

Even though some home remedies may temporarily relieve swollen eyes, they rarely provide significant relief when the underlying issue is not addressed. Make sure to consult a doctor if you suspect that your puffy eyes are caused by health issues or if you have any other symptoms.

Your skin is ageing

Unfortunately, normal ageing is the most prevalent cause of under-eye bags or puffiness. As you become older, your skin loses elasticity and begins to droop or wrinkle. The eye muscles and surrounding tissues might also weaken, causing the fat around the eyes to protrude and shows in the form of eye bags. Furthermore, other factors such as tiredness, lack of sleep and poor diet can additionally damage the delicate skin around your eyes and make it appear even bulgier and swollen.

Your parents have under-eye bags

If you experience persistent puffiness under your eyes, then there is a high chance that you have something called lower eyelid fat prolapse. What this means is that the fat that is normally located around your eyes pushes forward and causes these bulges.

One of the primary reasons for the presence of fat pads under the eyes is actually genetics. If your parents have such lower eyelid bulging, you shouldn't be surprised that your eyes appear in the same way. Genetic eye bags usually get worse with age since the skin surrounding the area loses its elasticity and sag, pushing the fat further forward.

How do you get rid of puffy eyes in the morning?

When it comes to eye bags and swollen eyes, numerous treatment options are available, ranging from home cures and eye creams to cosmetic procedures. But are they all genuinely effective?

To find a solution that works for you, you must first understand what causes your puffiness. Sometimes your bulges will disappear after a good night's sleep and adequate hydration. However, if your eye bags are more persistent, you may need to get a cosmetic procedure to address them.

Here is what you can do to get rid of your puffy eyes.

Make some lifestyle changes

• Follow a consistent sleep schedule. Maintaining a healthy sleep routine is critical for preventing eye bags and dark circles. Ensure you get a full eight hours of proper sleep every night, so you can feel and look great all day. Avoid staring at your phone or watching TV before bedtime because they can disrupt your natural sleep cycle.
• Limit your salt intake. Try to stick to well-known recommendations such as not adding too much salt to your meals or not salting the dish until you taste it. Also, make sure to limit the consumption of prepackaged and processed foods such as instant soups, cheese, sausages, savoury snacks and so on.
• Say "No" to alcohol. Whatever people say about the benefits of a daily glass of red wine, keep in mind that alcohol is harmful to the skin. As we said, drinking too much alcohol can dehydrate your body and cause fluid accumulation in the eye region.
• Stick to a healthy diet. As with sleeping, eating a well-balanced diet can help you reduce puffiness and dark circles in the under-eye area. Try to avoid fast foods which contain too much salt and incorporate more fresh vegetables as well as foods rich in antioxidants and iron. And do not forget to stay hydrated!
• Try to increase your physical activity. Exercising regularly is a great way to reduce bloating and maintain your body's salt balance. It doesn't necessarily mean you should go to the gym every day and perform intense workouts. You can reduce excess fluid in your body simply by walking for 30 minutes every day.

Make use of home remedies

• Cool the area by applying a cold compress. You can use whatever you have on hand, ice cubes, cool washcloth, or cooling gel pads. Even simply washing your face with cold water will help you. The cool compress will constrict the dilated blood vessels and drain excess fluid from your lower eyelids.
• Take an advantage of herbal teas. Simply steam two tea bags in hot water and then place them in the refrigerator. Once they are cold enough apply them to your puffy eyes. It will reduce puffiness by boosting your blood circulation. Green tea bags usually work great because they are rich in antioxidants and have the ability to constrict blood vessels. Chamomile tea is also a good option. It can be quite beneficial in relieving symptoms of seasonal allergies and eye allergies.
• Massage the area with aloe vera. You can apply fresh aloe gel vera to the puffy skin and gently massage the area using your fingers. Aloe vera gel contains 18 essential amino acids, which help to soothe tired eyes and reduce swelling.
• Use cucumber or potato slices. These products can be very beneficial in dealing with eye puffiness caused by fluid retention. Cucumbers and potatoes have powerful hydrating and astringent properties which will help your eyes feel less tired and appear less puffy.

You can read our detailed article on how to get rid of eye bags at home.

Purchase suitable skin care products

• Products that contain vitamin C. It is known that vitamin C creams and serums can slow down damage and ageing in the face and eyes by acting as antioxidants. They are an excellent choice if you have dark circles under your eyes.
• Vitamin E eye cream. This vitamin can help you brighten dark circles and improve puffy eyes. It is also an excellent approach to treating eye wrinkles.
• Cosmetics with retinol. This ingredient stimulates the collagen in the skin, making it smoother and firmer. Using a good quality eye cream with retinol can help you tackle various skin concerns including dark circles, eye bags and wrinkles.

Get eyelid surgery or other cosmetic treatments

• Lower Blepharoplasty. It is important to understand that there is no home remedy or eye cream that can remove eye bags related to genetics or ageing. So if these are the reasons for your swollen eyes, lower eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) would be your best bet. This type of plastic surgery is not only extremely effective but also produces long-lasting results. It is relatively safe and does not cause serious complications or side effects. There is also little downtime associated with it. Check this page to determine if permanent eye bag removal surgery is the right option for you.
• Laser treatments. If you are afraid of undergoing cosmetic surgery, you might choose a non-invasive eye bag removal method like laser therapy. It has the potential to considerably alleviate dark spots and bulges beneath the eyes. The only disadvantage of this treatment is that you will most likely require several sessions to see improvements. The technique is generally safe and does not result in any problems. However, you must ensure that you are in the hands of a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
• Chemical peels. A chemical peel is another cosmetic procedure that you can benefit from, especially if your bulges occur because of thin eyelid skin. This treatment can improve the texture of the skin, making it thicker and less prone to puffiness and dark spots. However, this is usually not a long-term solution and is not effective for eye bags caused by bulging fat pads.

What is the best treatment for puffy eyes and under-eye bags?

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is one of the most successful and long-lasting treatments for puffy eyes. Although home cures can provide temporary relief, they can not permanently eliminate fat that protrudes below your eyes.

Blepharoplasty, on the other hand, removes or repositions fat located under the eyes, providing you with a firmer and smoother lower eyelid contour. The procedure offers a number of benefits. With blepharoplasty, you can reduce the feeling of tiredness in your eyes, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and significantly rejuvenate your eye region.