Waking up looking tired: how to smooth out your face?

Waking up with a slightly puffy face is due to normal fluid retention overnight. Lying down leads to fluid retention and accumulation in the face. The majority of people experience this phenomenon. However, it can be more noticeable in some individuals due to one or more of the following factors.

• Skin ageing

The skin on the face becomes less supple over time. Indeed, with age, the production of collagen and elastin gradually decreases, and the facial skin is unable to effectively and quickly eliminate pillow marks.

• Sleep

Not sleeping enough, or on the contrary, sleeping too much (hypersomnia), results in a creased and puffy face upon waking. The position in which one sleeps can also be a contributing factor. Sleeping on one's stomach, for example, can exacerbate this phenomenon of a puffy face upon waking.

• Not removing makeup

Falling asleep with makeup on can cause a skin reaction known as contact dermatitis, which can lead to redness, irritation, or bags under the eyes. In most cases, there is no cause for concern, but if severe symptoms appear, such as very swollen eyes or difficulty in opening them, immediate medical consultation is necessary.

• The Dietary Regime

Consuming certain foods in the evening or at night can sometimes lead to additional puffiness in the morning. Generally, the consumption of foods high in sodium (or salt) can lead to greater water retention in the body and therefore an accumulation of fluid in the face when lying down. Here are a few examples of sodium-rich foods to avoid consuming in the evening, before bedtime: fast foods, such as burgers, chips and pizzas, processed meats, like bacon, sushi, especially with soy sauce, crisps, nachos and pretzels. Moreover, after a night of excessive drinking (excessive alcohol consumption), the face is often puffy upon waking. Indeed, alcohol encourages a person to urinate more, which can cause slight dehydration. In response, the body may retain water wherever it can, such as in the face.

• Physical Causes and Health Issues

Menstruation and certain health issues such as a sinus infection or hypothyroidism, which involves the thyroid gland not producing enough hormones, can lead to water retention in the face. Sometimes, facial puffiness upon waking is also due to allergies to dust, dander, or pollen inhaled during the night. The individual may not notice any symptoms until they wake up. Other symptoms of the allergic reaction, such as congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes, may indicate that allergies are the cause of the puffiness.

Treatments and home care techniques can alleviate and prevent this issue by addressing the underlying cause.