Under-eye puffiness and dark circles can be caused by a number of lifestyle factors or medical conditions. Lack of sleep, excess sodium in the diet, sinus congestion, fluid retention and genetic predisposition can all lead you to develop these conditions. Puffiness and dark circles can affect your whole appearance--making you look older or more tired than you are. Treating these occurrences requires a variety of lifestyle changes and treatments to reduce swelling and improve your appearance.
Step 1
Drink plenty of water. Consuming an excess amount of sodium can cause swelling in your tissues, including the area under the eyes. Drinking more water can help to flush this sodium away and make your eyes appear less puffy.
Step 2
Apply a cold compress made of a washcloth dipped in cool water or milk; cucumber or potato slices; or moistened tea bags to the under-eye area. Leave on for 10 minutes and then remove. This helps constrict the blood vessels under the eyes that may be dilated, which results in dark circles. You can continue to apply cold compresses as necessary throughout the day.
Step 3
Take a decongestant medication if your puffy eyes and dark circles could be related to allergies. Allergies cause the blood vessels in the nose to swell. Because of the close proximity to the under-eye area, this can result in dark circles. Signs the area under your eyes could be due to allergies include sneezing and itchy eyes or nose, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Apply a soothing eye cream to the area under the eyes, suggests Dr. Audrey Kunin, a dermatologist writing for DERMADoctor. These creams can contain caffeine, vitamin C, aloe vera or other soothing ingredients designed to reduce puffiness and darkness under the eyes. Dab very gently and refrain from pulling, which could damage the delicate skin under the eyes.
Step 5
Sleep with your head elevated. Sleeping without a pillow can cause you to retain water in the area underneath the eye, resulting in puffiness. Elevating the head allows gravity to pull down on the fluids, resulting in less puffy eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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