04 June 2024 , 11:03
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Suffer from a post-plane puffy face? One flight attendant's got you covered.
'Aeroplane face' is a baffling phenomenon that makes your skin seem puffier, spottier or more oily than usual after being on a plane. Associated breakouts can take days to clear up and are especially nightmarish for anyone who's already prone to blemishes.
But fear not, as one Boston-based flight attendant has revealed her secrets for reducing 'flight face'. Vera - dubbed the 'Balanced Flyer' - claimed these are must-dos if you're travelling by plane, and took to TikTok to explain why.
"One question I've been getting asked a lot is: 'What do I do about bloat, like face bloat... for travel in general?'," she told her 18.4k followers (@balancedflyer). "I do have tips and tricks for that."
First up, Vera explained that using anything ice-cold is a must. Although she grabbed a face roller from her freezer, she suggests taking one in a handbag and dipping it into ice after landing.
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Putting it in a wine bucket or cold glass could work, or a hotel room freezer if you have one. "Basically, you just take the ice roller... and you just go in these like upward strokes on your face," she said.
"I like to use it in-between my eyebrows and going up and out, but mainly on the cheeks where you end up getting puffy." While there's no definitive evidence to prove ice facials work, 'cold therapy' is routinely used to reduce swelling among athletes.
Moving on to her next tip, Vera continued: "I have a little skincare section of my fridge and I keep my eye gel packs, my face masks - basically anything I like to put on my face to cool it off and de-puff it. Keeping it cold is key."
Usually, Vera claimed she'll pop the hydrating products in her lunch bag and use them when waking up on a layover. Massaging her face especially helps with this too. "Guys, I'm full of these tips - please keep asking, and I'll keep sharing them," she added.
Vera's flight hacks racked up plenty of comments on TikTok, with many users grateful for the words of wisdom. One person wrote: "Okay now I also need a skin care section of my fridge," as another added: "Face bloat is the worst! Ty for this!"
Dr Dave Reilly, Head Scientist at Absolute Collagen, has also chimed in. "Travelling on an airplane can really impact the appearance of your skin, even if just for a short flight," he said. "This is because humidity levels on aircrafts drop significantly, while its aircon is also often at full blast.
"These factors, paired with the recycled air that circulates a plane, can be incredibly dehydrating for your skin. As a result, your skin’s appearance can become dull and puffy during a flight.
"If you suffer with sensitive skin, then your skin may become dry and irritated on an airplane. While those with oilier skin types may experience excess oil and even breakouts. What’s more, if you are a nervous flyer, then high levels of stress can also contribute to skin breakouts or flare-ups."
Before the flight, Dr Reilly recommends embracing creams that lock moisture into the skin. As a general rule, those with oily skin should opt for water-based products, while those with drier skin should pick thicker creams.
"For more intensive nourishment, opt for a sheet mask packed full of hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, that you can apply during your flight," he advised. "Also, remember to drink plenty of water throughout the flight to help keep you and your skin quenched."
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