What is the best treatment for dark eye circles?

Doctor's Answer

Photo of Dr Joanna Chan
Dr Joanna Chan

Aesthetic, General Practitioner

Hi! To answer your question accurately, I would first like to assess what “kind” of “dark under eye circles” you really have. This is because different people have different ideas about their dark eye circles. Identifying the real cause of your dark eye circles is important as treatment options differ based on different conditions.

For starters, the muscles, ligaments and fat pads around the eyes are complex structures with complex attachments.

“Tear trough” deformities are due to volume loss in the soft tissue around the eyes and these are best treated with a “soft” undereye filler. There are many brands available, but in general hyaluronic acid based fillers are preferred for this delicate area for a natural-looking appearance.

People with prominent “eye bags” due to hypertrophic tarsal muscles may benefit from small doses of botulinum toxin injections. This can also be used to treat peri-orbital and undereye wrinkles which may give a person a “tired” look.

Venous congestion around the eyes often appears as a purplish-blue discoloration in the undereye area and can worsen the appearance of tear trough deformities or prominent tarsal muscle bulges. Treatment for this includes medical-grade creams and procedures such as medical lasers by a trained professional. Skin-tightening devices such as HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) and radiofrequency devices such as Thermage can also be of some benefit.

Do seek out a consult with a trusted doctor for more information to find a solution that fits your needs best!

Regards,

Dr Joanna Chan

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