Relieving Swollen, Red Eyes Rapidly Following Bouts of Tears
Venting Those Emotions: A Guide for Red and Puffy Eyes
You've had your moment, let the waterworks flow, and now you're faced with a mirror reflection of redness and puffiness. Why does this happen, and how can you get back to your normal self? Here's the lowdown.
Dr. Maya K. Thosani, MD, FAAD, FACMS, a leading dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in ArizonaSylvia Brownlee, esthetician and founder of Skin By Brownlee & Co
The Science Behind the Redness and Puffiness
Crying leads to fluid retention in the tissues surrounding the eyes and the dilation of vessels, causing more redness, Dr. Thosani explains. Tears, copious with salt, also contribute to puffiness by drawing water into the surrounding tissues. If you find yourself rubbing your eyes or blotting them dry, that can cause more irritation and inflammation in the delicate area.
"The skin around the eyes is very sensitive," adds Brownlee, "and crying triggers the release of stress hormones which can lead to mild swelling and puffiness due to fluid retention."
Eight Easy Solutions to Soothe Puffy, Red Eyes
1. Cold Compress
A satisfying idea pops up: a cold compress! "Using a cold compress helps constrict the vessels, soothe the red skin, and help decrease swelling," Dr. Thosani says. "Chilled cucumber slices, potato peels, or a chilled face mask or eye masks are also effective!"
2. Cryo Tools
Break out the ice globes again or try a cryoball or other cryotool for a similar effect. "It helps to constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling," Brownlee explains. The cooling sensation offers an especially refreshing moment after an emotional release. Roll your chosen tool gently, in upward motions around the eye area for a few minutes—helping encourage lymphatic drainage.
3. Lymphatic Drainage Massage
"Give yourself a gentle massage to help reduce fluid build-up and puffiness," Dr. Thosani recommends. Using your ring fingers (or cryotool) lightly tap or sweep from the inner corners of your eyes outward, following the natural contours of your orbital bone. Be mindful to apply minimal pressure to avoid irritating the delicate under-eye skin.
4. Rinse with Cold Water
A refreshing cold rinse of water is another way to soothe red, puffy eyes from crying. This is easiest if you're sans makeup or okay reapplying. If not, skip this one.
5. Caffeine-Based Eye Cream
Caffeine's natural vasoconstrictor properties make it a popular ingredient in eye creams. "A moisturizing eye cream with caffeine and hyaluronic acid constricts vessels, tightens the skin, and soothes it after the saline tears have dried out the eyelids," Dr. Thosani explains.
6. Eye Drops
Soothe redness and irritation with over-the-counter eye drops. These can help restore moisture balance and soothe eyes that may feel raw or sensitive after crying.
7. Keep Your Head Elevated
When lying down after a crying session, keeping your head slightly elevated can help prevent excess fluid from accumulating around your eyes, Dr. Thosani advises.
8. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can cause more irritation and increase redness and puffiness. If you're still crying, blot gently with a soft tissue rather than rubbing back and forth.
Home Remedies and Additional Tips
- Cold compress
- Cold Spoons (chilled metal spoons)
- Cold Soaked Tea Bags
- Egg White Mask
- Hydration and Diet: limit salt and alcohol, and reduce fluid intake in the evening
- Get enough sleep
- Use redness relievers like VISINE® AC Itchy Eye Relief Astringent/Redness Reliever Eye Drops
- Apply caffeine-based eye creams
- Avoid rubbing
- Remove makeup before applying any remedies
- Consult a healthcare professional if redness or puffiness persists
So there you have it, a variety of ways to calm post-cry puffiness and redness. Now get back to your day, tear-free and fabulous.
Dr. Thosani advises using a cold compress, chilled cucumber slices, or a caffeine-based eye cream to soothe redness and swelling caused by crying. Sylvia Brownlee explains that using ice globes or a cryoball can also help constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. For a deeper massage, Dr. Thosani recommends a lymphatic drainage massage, using gentle tapping or sweeping motions from the inner corners of the eyes outward. Meanwhile, Brownlee suggests keeping the head elevated when lying down after a crying session to prevent excess fluid accumulation. Applying caffeine-based eye creams and avoiding rubbing the eyes are additional tips to reduce redness and puffiness. Consulting a healthcare professional should be considered if redness or puffiness persists.
