Dark Under Eye Circles…Causes and Treatments

Dr. Baxt explains the four categories of the appearance of dark under eye circles, as follows:

1. For many people, the appearance of dark circles is from the thin skin under the eyes and the normal appearance of veins and muscle.
2. With aging, the under-eye skin becomes even thinner showing more veins and pooling of blood. Dark shadows form from under eye bags or fatty pockets.
3. A smaller percentage of people have hyperpigmentation of their under-eye skin. These dark circles can be caused by genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors, allergies and other medical conditions.

4. The fourth category of patients seeking treatment for dark under circles is a surprising one for many people. They are unaware that the problem may be from their under eye facial filler. Many filler patients have never heard of the “Tyndall Effect” which refers to the bluish/dark discoloration under the eyes caused by bad filler placement. With inexperienced filler injectors, some of the HA filler may be injected too close to the surface of the skin causing a bluish hue.

   Dr. Baxt is not a “fan” of injecting fillers under the eyes as this is done by some injectors to address the fat changes that come with aging. For some patients, an unqualified injector will recommend fillers and exacerbate the problem instead of correcting it.

When no amount of “miracle” eye creams or concealers are doing the job, Dr. Rebecca Baxt, board-certified dermatologist, can help.

What Cosmetic Treatment Options are Available for Dark Under Eye Circles?

1. For patients with the normal appearance of dark circles from thinning under-eye skin, a good moisturizing eye cream is recommended. Dr. Baxt can evaluate your skin and make a recommendation for a moisturizer and eye cream.
2. For patients with dark shadows under their eyes caused by bags or fatty pockets, addressing bulging fat under the eyes can be effectively managed through removal and, in some cases, repositioning the fat that is bulging forward around the eyes. It is important to note that this surgery should only be performed by a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, or ocular plastic surgeon.

3. For true hyperpigmentation, the first step is to figure out the cause(s) and then treat the underlying issues. For some patients, Dr. Baxt will recommend a chemical peel. This type of peel is effective at treating and reducing hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions, including acne, fine lines, and wrinkles. Since this area is highly sensitive, the peel chemical formulation and application should only be done by a board-certified dermatologist.

   For most patients, a high-quality eye serum with retinoids, Vitamins and other ingredients can help. Dr. Baxt offers a nourishing serum that delivers the hydration benefits of Hyaluronic Acid and utilizes a rich blend of antioxidants including Liposomal Vitamins A,C,E and Green Tea Extract in combination with Co-Q10.

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4. Patients who have bad filler placement, Dr. Baxt can inject an enzyme to dissolve the fillers. Fillers, such as Juvéderm® or Restylane®, can be dissolved by this method to correct problems resulting from under eye fillers.