The Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion is the newest gadget in skin care. It is designed to treat puffiness and wrinkles under the eyes. The gadget whirls at 125 times per second to massage in an eye serum stored within the device. One or two presses of the top button delivers a pea sized amount of product recommended for both eyes. The serum plumps lines immediatly with firming peptides and hydrating trehalose ( a sugar). The device has a soft concave tip that pulsates for 30 seconds as it pumps the serum into the skin. The pulsating stimulates lymphatic drainage which decreases puffiness. The device runs for a preset period of time. $245 at Clairisonic.

While nothing short of a laser treatment can permanently and completely get rid of dark under eye circles, Hylexin is the best on the market for reducing them.

By the makers of Strivectin SD, Hylexin is formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes and specifically treats dark circles and puffiness. It's not a concealer, but using active ingredients that work to reduce the appearance of serious dark circles and discoloration in the peri-orbital (eye) area. Hylexin reduces the appearance of dark circles by reducing hemoglobin degradation byproducts by stimulating enzyme activity in the peri-orbital tissue. Optimal results can be expected in 30 days.

Available at NewSkinOasis, $75

I have never personally used Patricia Wexler skincare, but it gets rave reviews from many of you, and I always like to write about any beauty prouduct that gets award recognition. The Patricia Wexler MD Dermatology Fastcription Instant De-Puff Eye Gel won both the 2008 Allure best of Beauty in the Eye DePuffing category as well as the 2008 Best in Show Award from Women's Health.

The gel instantly reduces under eye bags and yields long term benefits with continued use. It's suitable for all skin types and people who wear contacts. Available at Bath & Body Works, $19.50.

Allure magazine has picked it's best beauty and skincare treatments for 2009, and Relastin Eye Silk Firming Complex was named the best for treating under eye bags and puffiness. It is a topical skin treatment that stimulates new elastin growth, which results in tighter, more supple skin and a visible reduction in lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

How it works: Elastin is the protein in young skin that makes it spring back after every smile or frown.  With time, elastin production diminishes.  So the delicate under-eye skin can start to wrinkle or sag. Relastin eye silk clinically demonstrates an increase in elastin and significantly improves elasticity in the eye area.

The results: fewer lines and wrinkles, less puffiness and dark circles. 

Reviews: out of 19 surveyed who have used the product over 3 weeks, Relastin Eye Silk received 4.5 out of 5 stars, and some of the complaints were directed at the bottle and pump.

Costs: $69 at drugstore.com

With the current trend of non-surgical skin treatments, Botox and the Fraxel laser are bringing doctors and medi spas millions of new patients and dollars. One of the newer procedures,  Radiage, is currently being preformed to treat the aging eye area. Radiage is a non-ablative, non-surgical skin tightening treatment that uses radio waves to gently heat up the skin, stimulate collagen and tighten baggy eyes, crow's feet and loose pockets of skin. The treatment can also be applied to firm up other parts of the body, such as the legs and abdomen.

How it works: A gel is applied to the area to cool the outer surface. A radiage 'wand' is then applied to heat the site which affects the soft tissue beneath the skin, causing the collagen to contract and tighten. There is minimal pain during the procedure, but typically patients are told to take a oral pain medication before the session.

Who is it for: It's suitable for all most types since there are no incisions and no lasers that can effect darker pigmented skin.

Side effects: Expect a slight reddening of the skin for about an hour after the procedure.

Costs: About $400 per treatment, but multiple treatments are usually required, usually 4 or 5, administered about three weeks apart.

Results: Most patients see some results immediately, however, optimal results will be gradual over a three to six month period as the skin tightens and more new collagen is formed. Results last from 12 to 16 months.

Dark circles under the eyes can make even the most young and beautiful look old and tired. They can add years to your face, and are one of the most common beauty problems.

What causes them? Dark circles under the eye are the result of blood that pools in the vessels that lie close to the skins surface, which is why they can be almost impossible to hide. They can also arise when fat bulges out: light cannot be reflected properly, casting a shadow under the eye. Also, sun exposure can aggravate under eye darkness by boosting melanin production, as can allergies since they cause the veins to become congested and enlarged. A lack of sleep, as well as dehydration, can emphasize dark under eye circles.

How to prevent them? Some under eye darkness is genetic and related to inherently thin skin. The thinner the skin is under the eye the, more pigmentation shows through. Loading up on Vitamin K, both internally and with topical products, is a good option since it strengthens and clots blood vessels to stop the pooling that causes the darkness.

There are four ways to deal with the dark circles: a topical solution, an injectable solution, a laser solution, and a surgical solution.

The product solution: Hydroquinone based skin care products can help, but take some time to work and do not completely fade the circles. They will however lighten them. Murad Age Spot and Pigmentation Lightening Gel is a good product for this purpose.

The injectable solution: A way to counteract dark circles if they are the result of excess fat is with hyaluronic acid fillers. When injected into the shadows under the bag, they can camouflage the darkness by plumping up the area.

The laser solution: The most effective way to remove under eye circles caused by thin skin due to age or heredity is with a CO2 laser. The laser treats the whole face, plumping the skin, including the skin under the eyes. It also results in more under eye collagen production, ensuring lasting results.

The surgical solution: For the most dramatic difference in under eye circles due to bagginess is lower eyelid surgery. Once the protruding fat bag is removed, there is no puffy area to create a shadow.