Do you get plenty of sleep and take care of your skin, yet still have prominent dark undereye circles? Dark circles are caused by a variety of factors, some of which have nothing to do with how much you sleep or what eye cream you use. Dark circles require an examination and consultation with an expert like Dr. Ary Krau to determine the best course of action. Sometimes the solution is as simple as using a skin cream; in other cases it involves undergoing a surgical procedure.
Consider the Cause of Dark Undereye Circles
Treating dark circles requires an understanding of what caused them to develop.
Age-Related Changes
With age, the skin naturally thins and loses elasticity, and fat around the eyes can descend, forming bulges underneath the eyes. The way the light hits these bulges creates the appearance of dark shadows or circles. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can remove or reposition the fat to improve the appearance of the bulging and eliminate the dark shadows.
Advancing age can also cause volume loss in the tear trough area, or the area between the upper cheek and lower eyelid. As the area around the eyes loses fat, the eyes can look sunken in or concave, and shadows can appear under the eyes. Adding dermal fillers to the affected area reverses the sunken, concave appearance of the eyes, softening the appearance of the circles.
Yet another consequence of age-related thinning of the skin is that it makes it easier to see the underlying veins. This gives the under-eye area a blueish or purple appearance. Factors like allergic reactions or lack of sleep can cause fluid to build up in the blood vessels, making the dark circles even more prominent. A combination of treatments can be useful in this case. Intense pulsed light (IPL) uses light energy to restrict the size of the blood vessels and diminish the blue or purple tinge under the eyes; it also stimulates the production of collagen for tighter and firmer skin under the eyes.
Pigmentation Problems
Some people, particularly those with olive or darker skin tones, are genetically predisposed to dark circles because they produce extra pigment in the under-eye area. Using a professional-grade skin bleaching or brightener cream can help reverse the pigmentation. Or, intense pulsed light treatment can be used to target and remove the pigmentation.
Find the Solution that Works for You
If you are bothered by the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, Dr. Krau and our team would be happy to create a treatment plan tailored around your needs. For more information, please request a consultation at our practice today.