Puffy eyes were once a regular part of my morning routine. It happened all of a sudden. I would wake up with inflated dark circles and hooded eyes, seemingly out of nowhere.
This is very common, say the experts, as the under-eye area is prone to fluid retention. It may also be on account of allergies, dehydration, leaving make-up on or as detailed by consultant ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, “Alcohol, a poor night’s sleep or stress can make your eyes look puffy in the morning.” While many of us can track the causes, the process for easing puffiness is not always so simple. So, we consulted the experts.
The science of puffy eyes
Dr Hawkes explains, “The eyeballs sit in a bony socket called the orbit, which is cushioned with fat. This fat is held in place by a delicate structure called the orbital septum, which is paper-thin. Over time, the septum weakens and the fat starts to bulge forward, causing puffiness or under-eye bags. In the lower lid, there are three fat pads: medial, central and lateral. These can prolapse forward when the septum weakens.” But while this happens due to biological ageing, there are other causes too; more on that below.
What causes puffy eyes?
“Puffy eyes are not one single diagnosis, but a symptom,” says ophthalmologist, oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Rachna Murthy. “From simple fluid retention and allergies to rarer conditions such as blepharochalasis syndrome or thyroid eye disease, the ‘why’ matters before the ‘what cream’.” She flags that professional attention is required if puffiness is painful or bleeding, bags are hard or irregular, it is paired with a fever or double vision or you notice a rapid change in eye prominence.
Otherwise, the process for soothing puffy eyes begins by determining lifestyle factors that may play into their formation. These may include salty food, alcohol consumption, hormonal shifts, airborne allergens, cosmetics or skincare that inflames the eyelids.
Dr Jennifer Doyle, a consultant oculoplastic surgeon, reveals that it could also just be a case of genetics. “Many people simply have weaker connective tissue in the lower lid, which makes the underlying fat pads more visible. As we age, collagen and elastin decline, the orbital septum weakens and what looks like ‘puffiness’ is often a combination of fluid retention and natural anatomical change.”
What can you do to combat puffy eyes?
The first step in ridding your morning routine of puffy eyes is “address the basics”, says Dr Doyle (AKA “good sleep, hydration, reducing salt and alcohol, and managing allergies”). She adds that in-clinic, the approach is to “treat persistent puffiness with lymphatic-stimulating treatments like radio frequency or ultrasound or polynucleotides to improve the quality of the supporting tissue.” Yet, providing there is not a more serious condition (periorbital dermatitis, blepharitis, thyroid eye disease, blepharochalasis), there are home remedies too.
Cold therapy
Dr Murthy tells us “chilled eye masks or cool spoons briefly applied can constrict superficial vessels and calm fluid pooling,” but she stresses to apply “gentle pressure only” and to “never ice directly on skin.”
OROSSENTIALS Facial Ice Globes Cooling Crystal Roller Massager
Mount Lai DePuffing Rose Quartz Facial Roller
Anti-allergy supportAvoiding allergens that could lead to puffy eyes includes switching up your bedding for hypoallergenic alternatives (think silk as it’s a natural fibre) or investing in a device complete with a HEPA filter. Dr Murthy shares that these options “can reduce recurrent periorbital swelling.”
Skincare
As for skincare, Dr Hawkes believes “the best approach is to improve the quality of the skin. Look for products with peptides, collagen-boosting ingredients and antioxidants to nourish the skin and enhance its appearance.” Dr Murthy also stresses the importance of removing make-up, especially waterproof mascara and “favour ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free formulas designed for the periocular zone.”
Dr Murthy shares this crucial information: “For persistent, cosmetically troubling upper or lower eyelid bags that do not shift with lifestyle, skincare or allergy control, I recommend a detailed oculoplastic consultation to map out anatomy, review systemic contributors and discuss options ranging from energy-based tightening and filler correction to bespoke surgical blepharoplasty.”
