Can I fix my puffy, tired looking face (with photos)?

[Oldpuffyface]

I had some family photos done recently and it’s made me realise quite how haggard I’m looking. Main issues are the dark circles and general puffiness of my face (I’ve gained a few lbs recently but still a steady size 12 so not overweight) I’ve also developed these additional ridges on the top of my cheeks which really don’t add to my looks

Is there anything non invasive that can be done or do I have to learn to live with
It? I’m only 47 and definitely not ready for old age decline but not interested in injections or surgery! Name changed in case I’m recognisable!

Do you suffer with sinus issues OP. This is how I know my dd is having a flare up as she get similar swellings at the top of her cheekbones. If you tap the area, is it painful?

I wish it was that simple - no sinus problems or any sort of cold at the moment that might explain it

You literally have no lines OP! I know what ‘puffiness’ you’re talking about but honestly your skin looks amazing.

I can recommend some super cheap under eye patches from B&M. They are only one pound and you can use them multiple times. Let me see if I can find a picture online.

www.bmstores.co.uk/products/skin-techniques-gold-hydrogel-collagen-eye-mask-354419

There’s a few different varieties. I think there are lavender ones too.

I'm the same age OP and I hear ya!

My face just looks so tired and puffy, I feel like I've lost a lot of definition of my features the last few years, looking at pictures of my 30s it's like the bits of my face are now a different shape to what they used to be, and everything has dropped a bit. I don't have many lines or wrinkles, but somehow I just look different and older and it seems to have happened quite quickly, I'd say 5 years ago I looked a lot younger than I do now.

Lots of my friends have fillers, botox, etc but I just can't afford it, so watching with interest for sone miracle suggestions.

I’ve started using This from Avon. It’s made a bit of difference. Only used it a couple of times so far though.

You can improve them slightly but nothing as dramatic or as fast as fillers. I recommend trying Gua Sha or face rollers. You could you use your fingers to massage but i find the coolness of the stone more depuffing.
I would also give up dairy, sugar, alcohol and gluten (basically follow a paleo diet) for a month and see if you notice any improvement. The aim is to help your body detox by encouraging the liver (alcohol and sugar strain the liver) and lymphatic system to drain any retained water (carbs generally make you bloated) so lots of water, paleo diet, work out daily if possible, daily body brushing, twice daily facial massage, gua sha or rollers.

I heard collagen powder in drinks helps skin elasticity but havent tried it.

I get exactly those extra bumps if I've not been eating well, or overdone the wine the night before.

It's really tedious to hear, so sorry, but stopping alcohol, sugar, gluten, and cutting really carby stuff, really will make a difference. My bumps and dark circles disappear entirely when I'm doing this (am 48).

@AthelstaneTheUnready I was about to say the same thing. Seems to be the only thing that works for me and I wish I was better at it.

Fillers that plump up those line. Look at your diet, getting enough sleep. The usual suspect, but personally I think these lines (I have them) are just age related. The puffiness May be diet or lifestyle.

I'm interested in the collagen powder route. I think I followed the low meat for heart health advice too much and didn't get enough protein over the years. People who eat more traditionally than me look stronger and more supple.

I see flawless skin! I know you will focus on the bits you don't like, we all do that, but accept that you have good bits too!

Your miracle treatment is piles cream. Buy a new tube!

You do have beautiful skin!

Do you drink diet drinks? I think it must be the sweeteners because diet coke and diet 7up cause my eyes to go dark and puffy.

You’ve lovely skin! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Do you sleep on that side of your face. I only ask as I have the same thing, more on one side of my face than the other.

You could try a silk pillowcase and a memory foam pillow. I got both recently from Dunelm. Not too expensive and I like to “believe” it’s helping. What about a jade roller and a gentle upward and outward massage with some cooling gel (Aloe Vera from Holland and Barrett is cheap as chips and lovely).

Of course, I know you don’t rub/drag the eye eye area when cleansing 😉

And yes, as others have said... increase the water and fruit/veg. Decrease alcohol, salty food and snacks, chocolate and all of those “treats”.

Learn to sleep on your back. It's the best way to avoid puffy eyes. It is doable. I did this because sleeping on my side gave me back pain.

Gosh you have great skin tone.

Diet - cutting sugar, alcohol, carbs down
Sleep - make sure you are getting enough regularly
Skincare - roller kept in the fridge, used to to roll in your moisturiser. Hyaluronic acid for plumpness in under eye.

'Work' - fillers to replace the loss in the fat pad below the eyes

I get a puffy face if I drink wine, strangely gin doesn't have the same effect. How much water do you drink?

I was also going to recommend Gua Sha or look up facial lymphatic drainage massage on YouTube

Well that's so funny (& nice) those of you saying I've got good skin I've never in a million years have said that !
Well reading the replies I suspect my lack of water, occasional smoker/wine drinker and generally very average diet plays a big part in it so might need to address that if I'm serious about making a changet. I'll definitely look at the suggestions -lymphatic drainage sounds like something I could do with and will investigate the collagen suggestions. Definitely not feeling so bad about it - just need to avoid looking in the mirror too much

I have recently started using collagen powder in my morning coffee. I can’t tell you if it’s doing anything great but I’m hoping it will add volume to my hair.

It's called ageing. You have separation of the fat pads under your eyes/top of cheeks, where gravity pulls the face down, coupled with laxity in the skin. It makes you look like you've got dark circles and bags. Tear trough fillers and mid face fillers is the solution but other than that, which I understand you don't want to do, get started on the tret and spf. It won't resolve your concerns but it will help to slow things down a wee bit. Sadly, there is no miracle cure at 47. Just wait until you're 50!!! You'll wish you were 47 again then!

Silk pillowcase and Gua Sha. If done correctly it will literally smooth out puffiness! Look on YouTube for gua sha massage Techniques. Also just regular pressure point face massage works wonders.