Almost all of us have had the experience of waking up with a puffy version of our usual self staring back at us from the bathroom mirror. Let’s face it; it’s not a pretty sight. What can you do about it? That depends on whether it happens once in a great while, from time to time or much more frequently than in the past.
If your face looks puffy occasionally, you are probably guilty of burning the candle at both ends. The swollen face that greets you in the morning may be due to a lack of sleep, overindulgence in alcohol or caffeinated drinks and too many salty, fatty foods (or all of the above). You know who you are and you probably know what to do: get more rest and pay attention to better hydration.
In the meantime, replenish your body inside and out. Drink a whole glass of water upon waking. Splash your face with ice cold water or apply an ice pack to encourage blood vessels to constrict.
If a puffy face greets you in the morning more often than occasionally, it may be time to adopt some lifestyle changes. Too much salt in the diet can be a major culprit, since excess salt causes the body to retain fluid. Cutting back on salt you add to your food is a good step, but it’s even more important to become a savvy shopper. Processed foods notoriously contain loads of salt. Why? The Mayo Clinic explains that extra salt makes canned soups taste more savory, reduces dryness in pretzels and crackers, increases the sweet taste of cookies and cakes and helps hide aftertastes in sodas. To avoid these hidden sources of salt, eat as much fresh food as you can and become adept at reading labels.
Another potential cause of a puffy face is Vitamin C deficiency. This is one more reason in a very long list to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Watermelon is one of the best choices for combating a swollen face, according to many health writers. Watermelon is high in Vitamin C, high in water content and low in calories. Citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes and peppers are other good foods to emphasize in your diet. Paying attention to Vitamin C in your diet is important not just because of the health benefits, but also due to the fact that your body doesn’t store this particular nutrient. You need a source of Vitamin C on your table every day.
You may also want to take a look at how much caffeine you consume. You probably know that coffee and tea contain caffeine, and you may be aware that colas and chocolate also contain caffeine. Think about what you put in your body on a daily basis: two cups of coffee, a soda and a piece of chocolate could be showing up as much on your face as on your thighs.
Other ways to try to keep facial swelling down include modifying your sleeping habits. You may want to elevate your head higher than usual with more pillows, for instance. Keep a glass of water next to the bed each night, and take a big sip if you wake up to use the bathroom or change position.
If you’re noticing a swollen face much more often than you used to, consider seeing your doctor. Chronic swelling, or edema, could be caused by a number of factors you and your doctor should discuss, such as an allergic reaction or a reaction to medication.
In some instances, facial edema can be a symptom of kidney disease, hypothyroidism, pituitary gland problems and other serious health issues, according to Johns Hopkins. If you’re uncertain about the cause of your puffy face, make an appointment to see your physician.