right National Library of Medicinefacial swelling is the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the face. You may notice it bulge around the eyes, cheeks, and jawline, adds Kristina Collins, MD, dermatologist at Austin Skin. You can also experience:

• A feeling of tightness, swelling in the face
• Swelling of the lower face and neck
• Face weight
• Facial pain

There are a variety of potential medical and lifestyle causes of morning puffiness. Below, we break them down according to our experts Dr. Collins, Saami Khalifian, MDa dual board certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon and Ben Ifedi, MDfamily doctor and sports medicine.

Medical reasons

Facial swelling is sometimes related to medical conditions such as:

• Allergies (to dust mites or pet dander, for example)
• Hormonal fluctuations from menstruation, pregnancy, menopauseor thyroid dysfunction
• Sinusitis or chronic or acute sinus infections
• Kidney or liver disease, which can cause fluid retention
• Sleep apnea or breathing problems can cause sleep disturbances, leading to puffiness around the eyes
• Autoimmune conditions
• Facial trauma, such as a broken nose or fractured jaw
• Side effects of drugs (eg steroids)
• Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder that results in excess cortisol in the body, sometimes causing compared to cortisol
• Dental abscess

Lifestyle causes

Other times, choices or practices can cause discomfort, such as:

• Dehydration or overhydration: “An imbalance in fluid intake can lead to fluid retention,” says Dr. Collins.
• Bad sleeping habits
• High salt intake, which leads to fluid retention
• Alcohol consumption
• High stress/cortisol
• Sleeping with makeup on
• Poor dental hygiene
• Improper sleeping positions

Fortunately, most cases of facial swelling can be resolved by lunchtime. Below are expert tips for de-puffing.

• Apply a cold compress: A cold towel or ice pack can “help reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels,” says Dr. Collins.
• Massage with lymphatic drainage or gua sha: Gentle massage (with hands, an ice pack, or a gua sha tool) will help drain excess lymphatic fluid from your face, says Dr. Khalifian. Behold how to do a gua sha facial massage correct.
• Hydration: “Drinking water and avoiding dehydrating drinks like caffeine and alcohol can help eliminate excess fluids,” says Dr. Collins.
• Sleep on your back with your head up: “Sleeping on your side or stomach can cause fluid to build up in your face,” says Dr. Khalifian.
• Try over-the-counter medications: Depending on the cause of your swelling, an antihistamine for allergies or an anti-inflammatory for pain and swelling may help, Dr. Ifedi says.
• Use a I can’t: If your swelling is from blocked sinuses, Dr. Ifedi recommends trying saline nasal irrigation for clarity.
• Training first thing: “This will get the blood flowing and improve circulation, which means water won’t build up and cause swelling,” says Dr. Khalifian. “Plus, sweating helps you get rid of excess water.”
• Take a cold shower: The ice flow will “trigger the circulatory system to reduce inflammation,” says Dr. Khalifian.

Obviously, it’s ideal to wake up and not have to jump through hoops to get your face back to its normal state. That’s where these prevention strategies come in handy:

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
• Monitor your salt intake
• Limit alcohol (“Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases the frequency of urination, which leads to dehydration,” says Dr. Khalifian. “In response to dehydration, the body retains extra water, causing the facial tissues to swell. In addition, alcohol triggers inflammation throughout the body, which can manifest on the skin as redness, swelling and enlarged pores.”
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid inflammatory, potentially irritating grooming
• Remove makeup before bed
• Remove your contact lenses before going to bed
• Avoid known allergens
• Reduce stress
• Practice good oral hygiene
• Avoid high-carb dinners (“For every gram of carbohydrate you eat, your body stores 3 to 4 grams of water to help store energy, also known as glycogen,” says Dr. Khalifian.)
• Try to magnesium supplement: (Magnesium was found to help alleviate the symptoms of water retention. Dr. Khalifian recommends magnesium citrate because it is highly bioavailable, meaning it is absorbed the best. “That said, you have to be careful not to take too much because magnesium citrate is also used as a laxative,” he says. “I recommend 200 to 250 milligrams.”

If facial swelling is recurring or worsening and home remedies aren’t helping, it might be worth checking with a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical concerns, Dr. Collins says. Other symptoms that are cause for concern are swelling with severe facial pain, itchy skin, difficulty breathing, and signs of infection such as fever, skin discoloration, and tenderness, Dr. Ifedi adds.