I have dark circles under my eyes. What causes it?
During the aging process, a combination of superficial skin changes (hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity) and the changes in the underlying facial structure causes the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
What skin care products can I use to get rid of the dark circles?
Various topical eye creams (Obagi, SkinMedica, SkinCeuticals, Environ, Lumiere) include ingredients that lighten skin tone, reduce puffiness, minimize fine lines, improve elasticity and hydration. Over time these products will improve the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Others have very thin skin and the veins are more visible which creates a shadow like an appearance, unfortunately, there is no treatment for this, but can be camouflaged with concealer. We provide medical grade mineral based concealer that can be matched according to your skin tone. Consultation with the estheticians is important in determining which topical eye skin care and makeup/concealer is best for you.
What procedures are available to treat the dark circles under the eyes?
Age-associated changes in the facial structure cause a depression or hollowing, which creates the appearance of a dark shadow, this is commonly referred to as ‘tear troughs’. Correcting this deeper volume loss is best achieved through the injection of dermal fillers. You should expect some bruising and swelling after any dermal filler injections. Laser procedures can also minimize hyperpigmentation of the skin, the recovery period is dependent on which laser is used. Most of the time it takes a combination of treatments (skin care + dermal fillers + laser) to minimize the appearance of dark circles. More invasive procedures are long lasting but expect multiple appointments in order to treat conservatively, minimize adverse reactions, and prevent complications. For some, consulting with one of our surgeons for a lower blepharoplasty (aka lower eye lift) might be necessary. Consultation is very important in order to determine which combination of treatments will be best for you. By: Claudette Walker, ARNP
