Dark circles

Dark circles around the eyes are a common issue that can be caused by various external and internal factors. This condition gives the entire face a tired, exhausted, and aged appearance, regardless of whether one gets enough sleep and maintains a healthy lifestyle. While genetics plays a significant role, other factors such as aging, sunken dark circles, under-eye bags, thin lower eyelid skin, and hyperpigmentation also contribute to the development of dark circles.
In our practice, we prioritize identifying the underlying cause of dark circles. Once the cause is determined, we offer suitable treatments such as hyaluronic fillers, chemical peels, CO2 laser, and other appropriate methods to effectively eliminate or diminish the appearance of unwanted dark circles under the eyes.

When people notice dark circles under their eyes, they typically assume that the issue lies solely within the skin itself. Consequently, they often resort to cosmetic products, which frequently prove ineffective. However, the true causes of dark under-eye circles are often rooted beneath the skin’s surface, rendering creams inadequate. There are three primary factors contributing to the appearance of darkness in the eye area:

1. The shadow effect created by sunken dark circles, bags, and puffiness beneath the eyes.
2. The delicate nature of the skin on the lower eyelids, making underlying blood vessels visible.
3. Hyperpigmentation, characterized by excessive pigment production, influenced by various factors such as genetics, sun exposure, hormonal changes, and inflammatory skin processes.

One of the contributing factors to the darkness of the skin under the eyes is the presence of shadows caused by sunken dark circles, puffiness, or bags on the lower eyelids.

Sunken dark circles

Sunken dark circles are characterized by a lack of volume under the eyes, specifically the absence of fat tissue. This hollowness casts a noticeable shadow on the lower lids, making it challenging to conceal with makeup. As we age, these dark circles tend to become more prominent and darker due to the loss of fullness in surrounding areas such as the cheekbones and cheeks, resulting in an overall aged appearance.
To effectively address sunken dark circles, our preferred approach involves the use of hyaluronic fillers. By replenishing volume, we restore fullness, smoothness, and tightness to the under-eye area. The treatment typically takes around 30 minutes, and we employ a blunt cannula during the filling process to minimize the risk of swelling and bruising. Recovery time is minimal, allowing you to resume your daily activities on the same day. The results are immediately noticeable, and the effects of hyaluronic acid can last up to 24 months in this area.
For detailed information on the process of filling and correcting dark circles with hyaluronic fillers, please refer to the link.
The accompanying image illustrates the transformation of one of our patients who underwent treatment for sunken dark circles using hyaluronic fillers. Following the procedure, the dark color is significantly less noticeable, resulting in a more rejuvenated appearance.

Bags under the eyes and swollen eyelids

Bags on the lower eyelids can have different origins, such as protruding fat pads or swelling of the lymphatic fluid, which can be caused by factors like allergies, thyroid disease, excessive salt and alcohol intake, or poor drainage. In cases where the fat pads are prominent, surgical intervention is often necessary to remove them and tighten the excess skin of the lower eyelids. However, for moderately pronounced fat pads, an alternative option is correcting them through the injection of hyaluronic filler. Careful injection of the filler into the area surrounding the bags helps create fullness that conceals the transition from the cheek or cheekbone. It’s important to note that this approach is only suitable for bags with fat pads.
On the other hand, if the bags contain lymph fluid, the use of hyaluronic fillers would attract more water, exacerbating the swelling. Therefore, it is contraindicated in such cases. Typically, when the underlying cause of eyelid swelling is identified and addressed, the swelling subsides.
In the picture below the text, you can see an example of our patient with smaller fat pads before and after correction with hyaluronic fillers. After the treatment, dark circles and bags are less noticeable.

On most parts of the body, the thickness of the skin is 2 to 3 mm. However, the skin of the lower eyelids has an average thickness of about 0.5 mm, making it the thinnest part of the skin on the body. Bearing that in mind, it can be so thin that the irises can be seen under it and sometimes the surrounding eye muscle (orbicularis oculi) can be seen. Due to the visibility of blood vessels, the color of the lower eyelids becomes bluish, purple or pink. We can solve this problem partly with hyaluronic fillers, and partly with collagen stimulation treatments that strengthen the skin of the lower eyelids.

• By injecting hyaluronic fillers of a certain density above the blood vessels, we cover the blood vessels and reduce their visibility.
• By strengthening the skin of the lower eyelids using a fractional CO2 laser. With this treatment, we stimulate the production of collagen, the protein responsible for firming the skin. The new skin cells will make it thicker and fuller, which will cover the presence of dark circles because the blood vessels will be less noticeable. Candela CO2 laser treatment is also ideal for tightening the skin of the lower eyelids, removing hyperpigmentation and wrinkles around the eyes. Read all about Candela C02 laser treatment here.

What you can do yourself is to include cosmetic products containing caffeine in the care of the skin around the eyes. It is an antioxidant that constricts blood vessels and reduces the dark color under the eyes. It also perfectly solves the problem of swollen eyelids. However, the effect of caffeine is short-lived, and a cream or serum with it should be used daily if we want to renew its effects.
A very important substance that helps build collagen and elastin, thus contributing to strengthening the skin, is retinol. Numerous studies and clinical trials have confirmed its effect on reducing wrinkles and rejuvenating the skin, as well as on the removal of hyperpigmentation.

By hyperpigmentation, we mean the increased presence of melanin pigment under the skin. It can be genetically determined, but also caused by external factors such as exposure to the sun, smoking, stress, etc. The pigment can be located in the superficial layer of the skin – the epidermis or in its deeper layer – the dermis and gives a brownish color to the dark circles. We can treat hyperpigmentation with a fractional CO2 laser, chemical peels, mesotherapy, and cosmetic products for skin lightening.

CO2 laser

As we have already mentioned, with the fractional CO2 laser we can remove hyperpigmentation both from the superficial and from the deeper layers of the skin.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are one of the most common treatments for improving skin quality and reducing fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. They remove the surface layer and dead skin cells, revealing a layer of young and healthy, radiant-looking skin. Also, some of them, such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA peeling), reach the deeper layers of the skin, affect the production of collagen, the removal of damage and the regeneration of skin tissue.
To remove hyperpigmentation around the eyes, we most often use glycolic acid, retinoic acid, lactic acid and TCA peels. The active substances of acids remove accumulated excess melanin from the skin, and as a result, the complexion and texture of the skin become uniform.
In the picture below, you can see an example of the results of the combined effect of TCA peeling and hyaluronic fillers in our patient. She complained to us about sunken and dark under-eye circles. First, we removed the dark spots from the patient’s lower eyelids with a TCA peel, and then we filled the sunken dark circles with hyaluronic filler. The restored volume and regenerated skin made the shadows and dark spots almost completely disappear.

You can read all the details about chemical peeling treatment here , and about TCA peeling by clicking on the link.

MESOTHERAPY COCKTAILS

By injecting carefully selected mesococktails, dark circles around the eyes can be significantly reduced. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid provide hydration to the skin under the eyes and a fresh-looking effect. Peptide enriched mesococktails stimulate the microcirculation of the area under the eyes, reduce the excessive production of melanin, thus protecting the skin from dark discoloration. You can find out everything about mesotherapy and its effects here.

Dermocosmetic and cosmetic products

Skin lightening creams and serums containing kojic acid, hydroquinone, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, vitamin C, retinol, alpha arbutin, etc. can be used to reduce pigmentation under the skin. The mechanism of action of most of the listed agents is reflected in the fact that it prevents the enzyme tyrosinase from creating excessive amounts of melanin. This regulates pigment production and reduces the possibility of hyperpigmentation.

You can check the prices of treatments to remove dark circles on the Pricelist page. For any additional questions, call us at 060/345-0304 or write to us at estetikabgd@gmail.com.