Raccoons are OK, even attractive, from far off and on occasion. Raccoons that are regular guests, up in your face, aren’t so fun. Even worse is the raccoon look, dark puffy circles under your eyes. Regular maintenance of your face and the delicate skin around your eyes makes the raccoon look only an occasional visitor.
Immediate Fix
If you wake up one day with more baggage under your eyes than your latest vacations, calm the puffiness with a homemade cold compress. Nearly anything that is cool, moist and moldable can sit on your eyes and reduce the swelling. Check your kitchen for cold compress options. Refrigerate a cucumber and slice it into a few thin circles. Set them over your eye, and let your eyes soak up the cool moisture. Tea bags also make good compresses. After making yourself a cup of chamomile or peppermint tea, cool the tea bag in the refrigerator. Lean back, sip your tea and lay the tea bags on your eyes for 15 minutes. Be careful not to let the bags sit on your eyes too long and stain your skin with their dark grounds. A towel wrapped around a piece of ice or a moistened washcloth in the refrigerator can also cool and calm your under-eye bags.
Regular Remedy
If raccoon eyes are become a regular part of your routine, take some steps to prevent them from coming back. Puffiness often occurs as a buildup of fluids under your eyes while you sleep. Take a natural approach to your bedtime routine. Drink your tea and relax before going to bed. Get a good night’s sleep on a pillow that lifts you up just slightly. This elevation will let the fluid drain. A full night of sleep will help you rise refreshed. Drink plenty of water and reduce the amount of salt you eat each day, to keep water from being retained in your system.
Long-Term Solution
Allergies are a leading cause for under-eye bags. If you want to ward off your puffiness once and for all, keep track of your allergies. When you start to notice sinus congestion and watery eyes, write down the allergens around you, such as pollen. Avoid those allergens as much as you can. Visit a doctor and treat your allergies, a common cause of under eye circles. Flush your sinuses with a neti pot or take antihistamines. Breathing easier will reduce puffiness and help you sleep better.
Photo Credit
- eyes image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
