Beauty 101.(puffy eyes)

Beauty 101

Puffy Eyes

Simple treatments and tricks for shrinking undereye bags. By Victoria Kirby

When ocean waves swell, itOs a warning of bad weather to come. When the skin around our eyes swells, itOs often the aftermath of a stormy evening. OToo much alcohol or salt, a bout of tears, sleep deprivation, and allergies are the most common causes of puffiness,O says dermatologist Katie Rodan. OTheyOre all irritants that cause excess fluid to temporarily settle under the skin, and retention shows there more than anywhere else.O It doesnOt help that the culpritsNsalt and alcohol, especiallyNare often hard to resist. If youOve had a salty meal or overindulged at cocktail hour, have a large glass of water, or a cup of chamomile, black, or green tea before bed to help flush out your system. If tears or allergies are to blame, take an over-the-counter antihistamine before you turn in. No matter what the cause, sleep with your head slightly elevated to prevent fluid from pooling around your eyes, and in the morning, get up on your feet as soon as possible. OWalking around gets your blood pumping, which helps to drain out the excess fluid,O Rodan says. With ...