by Marielle Elise

Created on: February 10, 2009   Last Updated: February 16, 2009

Nothing makes us look older or more tired than those telltale dark circles and bags under the eyes. Understanding your body's reaction to stress can go a long way towards helping you develop a course of treatment. The most common causes of dark under-eye circles and puffiness are as follows:

-Insufficient sleep. When your body is tired, it shows.
-Allergies. Usually accompanied by redness or itching, your puffy eyes could be associated with an allergy. The usual suspects include food, dust, pollen, linens, feather pillows, and face creams.

-Diet. Eating salty foods or drinking alcohol before bedtime can cause dehydration.
-Dehydration. When the body senses that it is in the beginning stages of dehydration, it takes measures to store water. The around-the-eye area is a common spot for water retention, resulting in puffiness.
-Hormonal changes. Fluctuation of hormone levels can result in water being stored around the eyelids.
-High blood pressure. Increased blood pressure pushes fluids into the areas around the eyes, resulting in puffiness.
-Aging. As we age, our skin thins and loses some of its ability to stretch, resulting in a saggy, or swollen, look.
-Smoking. Smoking can cause blood vessels to appear more prominent and blue beneath the skin, accentuating dark circles under the eyes.
-Disease. A generally tired or haggard appearance can be a warning sign of disease. If you cannot attribute your appearance to any of the above causes, see your doctor.

Many of these causes can be avoided with a few preventative measures:

-Get more sleep. For most of us, mapping out a little extra time for rest can go a long way towards improving our appearance and overall health!
-Stay hydrated. If you are thirsty, your body is already in the beginning stages of dehydration. Drink up!
-Lower your sodium and alcohol intake. This small change in diet can improve the appearance of your eyes, but it will also improve your health in general.
-Always remove your eye makeup before bed. Makeup can easily get into your eyes while you sleep, causing irritation.
-Identify allergens. Knowing what triggers your eye irritation can help you avoid it.
-Take a multivitamin. Dark circles under the eye can be attributed to a deficiency in vitamin B6 and folic acid, so taking a vitamin is a good idea. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can be just as effective.
-Avoid rubbing your eyes. Rubbing irritates the skin and breaks tiny capillaries beneath it, causing discoloration and swelling.
-Quit smoking.

If all else fails,

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