Kayla Young
Preparation H for eye bags is a standard contestant pageant quick fix that’s been around since at least the early 80s, along with putting Vaseline on your teeth, so when you smile, your lips don’t stick, or double-sided tape on your butt so your bikini bottoms don’t ride up while you’re walking across the stage.
Now, aside from the fact that TikTok videos are making something that’s been around for decades out to be a new, game-changing breakthrough, it actually does work sometimes… which is why people have been doing it for a really long time.
But should you use Preparation H under your eyes?
In this article, we are going to look at why Preparation H can work to reduce the appearance of puffy eyes, and whether or not this is something you really want to be using. We are also going to look at the reasons eyes get puffy and tips on how to treat puffy eyes and prevent them in the future.
Before you run out to the drugstore to grab yourself a tube of hemorrhoid cream, you might want to read on.
Contents
The TikTok Sensation
The creator of this video starts off by saying: “Ladies, I am about to show you a trick that they don’t want you to know about.” Of course, there is no mention as to which “they” she’s referring to.
She then proceeds to put Preparation H under her eyes, allows it to dry, and then says: “See no bags!”
And you know what – it worked. Except this is not a secret. This hack has been around for a LONG time – like decades.
Preparation H Under Your Eyes
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So, as far as this beauty hack goes, Preparation H can reduce puffiness under your eyes. This is because Preparation H contains phenylephrine, which constricts the blood vessels in your under-eye area to reduce inflammation, swelling, and puffiness.
But don’t do it!
And we’re going to tell you why…
So, as far as this beauty hack goes, Preparation H can reduce puffiness under your eyes. This is because Preparation H contains phenylephrine, which constricts the blood vessels in your under-eye area to reduce inflammation, swelling, and puffiness.
If It Works – Why Shouldn’t I Be Using Preparation H Under My Eyes?
Before you get too excited about this beauty hack, there are some things you need to know.
First of all, putting Preparation H may work to reduce under-eye puffiness, but it will depend on why your eyes are puffy in the first place.
We’ll get those reasons in a minute.
Although this hack has been around a long time, even back in the 80s, the pageant contestants knew enough to use it only as a last resort. It’s an emergency measure if they woke up on pageant day with puffy eyes, as opposed to using it as part of their regular facial care routine.
The Beauty Hack
And everyone who knew about this ‘insider hack’ also knew it as exactly that – a “hack”. A quick fix when there’s no time and no other options.
So even though this is not a new thing to probably everyone over the age of 30, no one ever promoted this hack as a good thing or suggested Preparation H as the go-to solution for puffy eyes!
There are plenty of reasons for this… and probably why you may be only hearing about using Preparation H under eyes for the first time.
Preparation H contains Hydrocortisone, which is a corticosteroid. Prolonged use of topical corticosteroids can cause enlarged blood vessels, thinning of the skin, making it more fragile and prone to wrinkling, not to mention leading to more visible vascular structures underneath as in permanent dark circles.
You probably don’t want to be trading your temporary puffy eyes for permanent bags.
You probably don’t want to be trading your temporary puffy eyes for permanent bags.
It can even result in problems with your adrenal gland, which is the natural steroid producer in your body.
Preparation H also has a number of ingredients that can cause eye damage, including an increased risk of cataracts and glaucoma, if you accidentally get some in your eyes.
In fact, this is why the Preparation H label has an explicit caution against using it for puffy eyes.
Again, this hack has been around so long that the manufacturer has a warning against it on the package!
This hack has been around so long that the manufacturer has a warning against it on the package!
Given all of the risks and side-effects of using Preparation H under eyes, puffiness will be the least of your concerns.
What Causes Puffy Under Eye Bags?
If puffy under-eye bags weren’t such a common issue, that TikTok video would not have gone viral.
So if this is something that you find yourself struggling with, you are not alone.
There are different causes for puffiness in the under-eye area.
- Water Retention
- Too much salt in your diet
- Not enough sleep
- Allergies
- Genetics
7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Puffy Under Eye Bags
Now that we’ve established why you should not be using Preparation H under your eyes, let’s take a look at some alternatives to treating and preventing puffy eyes that are perfectly safe.
So first things first, not only is it important to address the symptoms, but also what’s causing the puffiness. Here are a few tips you can try.
1. Drink More Water
Staying hydrated is key when it comes to getting rid of the bags under your eyes, or preventing them from forming in the first place. When you are dehydrated, your body responds by retaining water, leading to puffiness and under-eye bags
2. Cut Down on Your Salt Intake
Too much sodium, or salt, can cause immediate water retention. This is because the body needs to keep its sodium-to-water ratio balanced to function properly, so will retain water if your salt intake is too high.
3. Get Some Sleep
Sleep deprivation can cause your skin to become dull and paler. The dark tissues and blood vessels beneath your skin can start to show. Lack of sleep may also cause fluid to build underneath your eyes, causing them to appear puffy.
It’s recommended that adults between the ages of 18 – 60 years of age get between seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
4. Prop your Head up When Sleeping
If you find you’re waking up with puffy eyes in the morning, try using a couple of pillows to prop your head up while you sleep so that fluid does not pool and collect in your under eye area.
5. Get Checked For Allergies
You may be prone to seasonal allergies if you tend to get puffy eyes at certain times of the year. If you have puffiness all year round, then you could be allergic to something airborne in your home or work environment or to a certain food you eat regularly.
6. Use A Cold compress
Cooling the area lessens inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow. You can use anything cold, from cucumber slices and frozen peas to a damp, refrigerated washcloth. Just place it over the eyes for a few minutes.
7. Use An Eye Cream
There are eye creams out there meant to treat exactly this – so there is no reason you should be using something meant for your butt under your eyes! These eye creams use concentrated ingredients like Retinol, Vitamin C, and caffeine meant to help stimulate circulation around the eye, reduce puffiness, and make you look more awake.
You can start using them pretty much at any age, and the earlier you start, the better.
There are eye creams out there meant to treat exactly this – so there is no reason you should be using something meant for your butt under your eyes!
![[2 Pack] The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG (30ml): Reduces Appearance of Eye Contour Pigmentation and Puffiness](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxIDEiIHdpZHRoPSIxIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEiIGRhdGEtdT0iaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZtLm1lZGlhLWFtYXpvbi5jb20lMkZpbWFnZXMlMkZJJTJGNDFxSEdyQjAxakwuX1NMMTYwXy5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iMSIgZGF0YS1oPSIxIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
Now if you’ve tried all of the above and nothing seems to be working, and you seem to have puffy under-eye bags all the time, you may be amongst those where genetics is the cause. Fat pads are fat deposits under the eyes.
Over time they can start to droop. This is a more difficult situation to treat.
If you think this is the cause, see your doctor about your options.
Take Away (The Preparation H)
Do not use Preparation H anywhere near your eyes.
Although Preparation H can offer some a temporary fix, prolonged use of a corticosteroid will weaken and thin the delicate tissue around your eyes. It can lead to wrinkling, enlarged blood vessels, and eventually can lead to permanent bags, as well as possibly messing with your adrenal gland.
That’s over and above the risk of getting it in your eyes which can cause eye damage.
