One of the most common concerns we hear from patients is that dark circles under their eyes make them look older and tired. Both men and women often ask if the best treatment for dark circles is eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty. Our patients from Santa Rosa, Napa, and throughout Marin County are often surprised that eyelid surgery isn’t necessarily an appropriate treatment for dark circles, but they’re relieved to know we do offer solutions.
Eyelid surgery is designed to remove excess skin and fat deposits around the eyes, resulting in a more alert, youthful appearance that looks natural. The procedure does not necessarily lighten dark circles, though.
Improving the appearance of dark circles under the eyes is challenging. Identifying the underlying causes is a critical step in coming up with the correct treatment. Some of the causes of dark circles include allergies, lack of sleep, hollowness, broken capillaries, and pigmentation. Some causes are hereditary; others may be related to lifestyle choices, such as smoking. Finding an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is important to get the best treatment for you. Here are some options:
- Dark circles created by hollowness under the eyes are usually best treated by precisely injecting certain hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane® or JUVÉDERM, to restore volume in the sunken areas. The body absorbs these fillers within a few months to one year, so results are temporary. Fat grafting using the patient’s own fat works similarly to restore volume, and its results are permanent.
- Certain skin complexions and tones are prone to discoloration caused by hyperpigmentation. This is especially true for the thin skin under the eyes. Laser skin resurfacing can be an effective treatment for this condition. We also offer intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, sometimes called a photofacial, for discolored skin or to treat broken capillaries that can cause dark circles. We may also combine IPL with Sciton’s ProFractional™ laser treatment for certain individuals.
In addition to these procedures, we offer a line of medical grade skin care products that have been clinically tested to treat
skin discoloration, such as the Obagi® line.