How Can I Fix Dark Circles? I've Had Them My Whole Life

Sarah Nicole,

Thank you for your question.

Some of the common causes of Dark Circles Under The Eyes are;

Pigment and sun damage

Very Thin Eyelid Skin-allows color of muscle underneath to show

Hollow Eye

Arcus Deformity or Tear Trough causing a deep depression beneath the lower eyelid

Excess small blood vessels in eyelid skin

Common treatments for Dark Circles Under eyes are:

IPL-Intense Pulsed light removes pigment and vessels

1540 Laser for dark Skinned people pigment removal

Transconjunctival Arcus release and Fat grafting to correct deep depression

Topical Creams such as Retin A and Hydroquinone can help excess pigment caused by sun damage. Other advertized creams dont work-save your money.

Avoid filler injections. I have seen so many patients who had filler injections around the eye and they look worse after. Very few doctors know how to do the filler technique properly around the eye. If you choose this approach find an expert.

Your photos are not clear but I do not see a dark depression and assume your problem is thin skin and vessels. Try to find an expert who knows how to use IPL around the eye. You must have a shield placed over the eye during treatment!

 

Options for this problem typically include some type of filler and/or fat removal via eyelid surgery.  Why would I need fat taken out and fat put back? in you may ask.  The key is where the fat goes.  Just under your eye, fat from around your globe has fallen forward while just below that there is an indentation.  Obviously you need to be evaluated in person.  Review your options in detail to find the right ones that fit with your lifestyle.  Good luck!

Dark circles can be due to a variety of issues and the treatment really depends on what the underlying cause is. Many times this area can have increased pigmentation (hyperpigmentation). These areas of brown discoloration can typically be addressed with bleaching agents which can be done topically at home by the patient or more aggressively but with chemical peels done by a physician’s office. Another cause of dark circles in the eye area can be due to shadowing from fat pseudoherniations. These pseudoherniations are typically best addressed through blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to rejuvenate the eye. For those not ready for surgery, sometimes injectable fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane can be injected in this area to help camouflage the puffiness. Lastly, allergies or just skin that is thin and hypervascular (increased number of superficial blood vessels) can be the cause of darkening in the eyelid area. This is typically best treated with topicals. Teamine is an excellent product which treats a variety of causes of dark circles in this area. Lastly, in this situation too, sometimes chemical peels can be helpful. Determining which option is best for you can start by meeting with a facial plastic surgeon to evaluate what is causing your dark circles and determine the best option.