Please Make Puffy Go Away
 

What do you do to get rid of flying puffiness and make yourself look presentable upon landing?

My face always gets puffy on long flights. Usually it doesn't get back to normal until I've slept. Any tips on quickening this process?

Wrap ice in a cold washcloth and hold it to your face for a few minutes. Always works for me. Also, when I arrive at a place, I try to go for a short run as soon as I can. The exercise really helps get rid of puffiness and jetlag.

This is what I do in order to feel better and look a little more presentable during and after long flights:

Drink lots of water
Don't drink alcohol
Eat light
Walk a few times down the aisle during the flight
Strecht
Don't wear eye make up, or if you do, remove after embarking
Wear those serums do reduce puffiness on the eyes prior to embarking and upon disembarking
Wah your face with cold water every time you use the toillet

Surlock has hit most of the best recommendations. The main things that nasty puffiness are the same things that help w/ jet lag.

Drink as much water as you can. Really limit alcohol - one glass of wine with dinner at very most. If you do drink, it is very tempting since most of the transatlantic carriers still offer free (and free flowing) drinks. You can take the drinks but not open the miniatures they give you and save them for later at the hotel. I usually carry face cleanser towelettes that don't require rinsing. there are several brands on the market - just don't get the foaming types like Olay. Then you can use them at your seat w/o having to use the lavatory sink. Get up and walk whenever the food/duty free carts are not in the aisles. And take eye shades and try to sleep.

None of these steps come w/ guarantees, but they will all help.

Of course, there is the Old Wives Tale of Preparation H working on puffy eyes, but:

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990305.html

Another urban myth bites the dust.

P.S. there are some "real" hints at the bottom of the straightdope.com page

Thanks for the tips. I will remove my make up after I get on the plane and wash my face with cold water towards the end of the flight. I'll reapply makeup before we land though. I don't want to scare any small animals or children :)

Everything Surlok said (although I admit to ignoring the no alcohol bit!).

Guerlain USED to have an entire range for travel but don't know if its still available. They have a product, "Midnight Secret", that works wonders on the skin, after a long flight. I usually put it on during an evening flight.

Spritz your skin regularly during the flight - my favorite is Darphin Aromatic Spray (don't spritz water on your skin, it actually drys it out). It has a pleasant smell, but best to spritz in the bathroom in case you offend sensitive noses. You can also buy eyes masks which you can out in the mini-bar when you arrive, that will bring down the selling around the eyes.

BTW - test all products BEFORE you leave to make sure you are not allegic to them. My allergies to all products get worse after a long flight.

A couple of hours kip after landing is also a good idea - Rome was not built in a day MizzEve :)

regards ... ger

A little nooky in the restroom with a handsome steward works for me.

Are the eye masks the gel filled kind that you get at a drugstore? Are they supposed to be chilled to work?

NYCFoodSnob ~ I just don't know what to say to you @-)

MizzEve: the ones I bought were gel-filled and did need to be cooled - if you don't have a mini-bar in the room you can always order up a bucket of ice. Also, my Nana always recommended cucumber slices or camomile tea bags for the eyes (I once tried English Breakfast and ended up looking like a Panda).

MizzyE - You and my mother, both.

Witch Hazel comes in little moist towelette packages now, so whenever I rest during the flight, I plunk two of those on my eyes, keeps out any glare too or you can slip them under an eye mask.

Then do the cold water splash just before landing and you will be fine.

TO: janis

"You can take the drinks but not open the miniatures they give you and save them for later at the hotel..."

EXCELLENT idea!

Cheers,

Ron