Viscusi says puffy eyes or excess fluid retention in the periorbital area can be caused by day-to-day changes in our lifestyles. Some factors could be seasonal allergies, high sodium diets, excess alcohol consumption, crying, and lack of sleep.
It’s important to note that there’s also a difference between puffy eyes and under-eye “bags,” which develop as we get older. The extent to which you develop under-eye bags can depend on your genetics, but it might also be a sign of underlying genetic or medical conditions like thyroid disease or inflammatory conditions. “It is important to consult with your dermatologist to determine the cause in your unique circumstance,” Viscusi says. “In the majority of patients, under-eye bags are due to natural maturity and gravity-related changes in the underlying anatomy: Weakening of the structural support provided by our muscles, bones, and ligaments cause the protrusion of the anatomical ‘fat pads’ under our eyes. These changes combined with sun damage and maturity-related loss of collagen, hydration, and firmness of the overlying skin lead to the development of under-eye bags and fine lines and wrinkles in this area.”
How you treat your puffy eyes, though, can depend on the cause of them. Viscusi highlighted some for us below: