Does preparation h work for bags and dark circles under eyes?

Answer 1

I gathered a number of articles addressing the efficacy of Preparation

H and under eye puffiness. In addition I am including information and

non-surgical recommendations that could help you reduce the bags under

your eyes. In my research, it appears that there are no specific drugs

available to reduce under eye puffiness.

Baggy Eyes

"Baggy eyes in the morning are normally due to sleeping on stomach or

without a pillow; fatigue and alcohol make it worse. Frequent swelling

is often a sign of Allergies. Bags under the eyes, mainly hereditary,

occur because fluids tend to accumulate where the skin is thinner.

Thyroid, kidney and Heart disease and use of some medications make

baggy eyes appear worse; in most cases resting and sleeping on an

elevated pillow is the best you can do."

http://niazi.com/Wellness%20Guide/dh-tipb.htm#Baggy Eyes

In an article at Straight Dope the use of Preparation H is discussed

as not helping eliminate bags under the eyes:

"A spokesperson for Whitehall-Robins, maker of Preparation H, informed

us that the product "helps shrink hemorrhoidal tissue and is not meant

for the area around the eyes. There is no clinical evidence to support

that it reduces eye puffiness." She said they get this question less

frequently than they used to, perhaps because Prep H has been

reformulated. One of the ingredients that supposedly reduced puffiness

was "live yeast cell," but this is no longer part of the recipe."

They go on to say:

Actually, it's debatable whether anything will help puffy eyes, which

result from fluid retention caused by allergies, stress, etc. The

ingredient in Preparation H that supposedly reduces swelling is

phenylephrine HCl, which is used in nasal decongestants to constrict

blood vessels. However, according to Paula Begoun, author of The

Beauty Bible, Preparation H doesn't work where it's supposed to work,

so what are the chances it'll work in the minimal concentrations you'd

use on your eyes? Jane emphatically concurs, and Cecil politely

assumes these women know whereof they speak."

(..)

So what does work?

(1) Sleep with your head slightly elevated to minimize fluid

retention.

(2) Avoid booze and salty foods, which can cause water retention.

(3) If you have allergies, take antihistamines and don't rub your

eyes.

(4) Remove any makeup carefully to avoid getting particles in your

eyes.

(5) To avoid dryness that can lead to irritation and puffiness, use a

moisturizer. If nothing works and this is a chronic condition,

cosmetic surgery may be your only recourse.

Source: Straight Dope

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

However, Maxim Online states the opposite:

"Dermatologists agree that Preparation H does the trick. It tightens

facial skin by temporarily constricting blood vessels and shrinking

under-eye tissue-the same way it constricts and shrinks rectal blood

vessels and tissue, explains Debra Jaliman, M.D., a clinical

instructor in dermatology at New York's Mount Sinai School of

Medicine."

Source: Maxim Online

http://www.maximonline.com/grit/articles/article_4094.html

Seventeen's magazine Beauty myths and secrets:

One of their 17 all-natural beauty secrets is:

Preparation H (hemorrhoid cream) shrinks bags under your eyes.

http://www.seventeen.com/beauty/thebuzz/myths.html?SessionCookie=79363301-1-0-3E0

Mr. Joel's Weekly Beauty Column states that using Preparation H on

your eyes doesn't help.

http://beautychop.pair.com/preparationh.htm

Hemorrhoid creams can get rid of under eye bags?

"It's rumored that models swear by Preparation H to cure undereye

woes. And while in theory the anti-inflammatory effect of hemorrhoid

cream could temporarily reduce puffiness under the eye, the thick

ointment isn't your best choice aesthetically."

Better options:

"Sleep with your head elevated. Propping up your head with a pillow or

two prevents fluid from pooling beneath your eyes while you sleep."

Try eye gel. Gels can temporarily tighten the skin under your eyes,

reducing the appearance of bags and fine wrinkles.

Use compresses. Cool, wet tea bags or cotton pads soaked in milk have

a soothing effect on the eye area and can make bags appear less

noticeable.

Watch salt intake. Eating very salty foods can cause you to retain

water all over -- including under your eyes."

Source: ThirdAge Inc

http://www.thirdage.com/news/archive/ALT10030403-02.html

What can I do to get rid of baggy eyes?

"That depends on what is causing them. Many environmental factors can

cause puffy or baggy eyes, including allergies, dehydration, too much

salt and alcohol and the lack of sleep. Sometimes antihistamines can

help, as does reducing salt and alcohol in your diet, and elevating

your head slightly when sleeping. If none of these remedies help, the

bags could be due to fatty tissue deposits that tend to increase in

the upper and lower lid area as we age. The only way to remove them is

through surgery."