DARK EYE CIRCLES

WHAT ARE DARK EYE CIRCLES?

Dark eye circles appear as darkening or discoloration of the under-eye region. A common concern for many, they tend to give the perception of tiredness and age. There are multiple factors contributing to this.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO DARK EYE CIRCLES

Up to 80% of dark eye circles actually have a combination of contributing causes including:

Vascular congestion | Pigmentation | Volume loss and skin laxity

VASCULAR (BLOOD VESSEL) CONGESTION

When we sleep, our body rejuvenates itself and repairs any damage sustained during the day. Insufficient sleep can affect the circulation of blood to and around the skin, causing blood vessels under the eye to dilate. These enlarged vessels are more prominent underneath the very thin and translucent skin under the eyes, and can be visible as a bluish or greyish tint. Certain conditions such as allergic rhinitis may further worsen congestion of the blood vessels in the under-eye region as well.

PIGMENTATION

Melanin is the pigment that directly affects your skin tone and colour and contributes to the appearance of dark circles around the eyes. This is affected by various factors such as genetics and sun exposure.

VOLUME LOSS AND SKIN LAXITY

The natural ageing process reduces the amount of collagen and elastin in your skin, causing it to lose its firmness. When this happens around our eyes, the fat and bony loss will make the area around the eyes look hollow and sunken. The already thin skin will also start to show the blood vessels underneath, giving your eyes a hollow and dark look which leads to dark eye circles.

Of these, vascular congestion is the most common, which explains why dark eye circles worsen during periods of stress, poor sleep, or even when having a blocked nose.

CAN DARK EYE CIRCLES BE CORRECTED?

To correct dark eye circles, a doctor may recommend various treatments to enhance skin appearance. These can include prescription creams, laser therapy, chemical peels, or injectable fillers to smooth shadow-causing hollows. Other effective options are platelet-rich plasma injections and surgical procedures to alleviate puffy eyelids.

IS DARK CICLES UNDER EYES A DEFICIENCY?

Dark circles under the eyes can be indicative of certain vitamin deficiencies. Commonly associated deficiencies include vitamins E, D, K, A, and B12. Additionally, iron deficiency is a key contributor to the development of dark circles, highlighting the importance of a well-balanced diet for eye health

EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS

Medical Aesthetic Clinic Singapore Orchard Clinic

PIGMENT LASERS

These lasers are effective in targeting and directly reducing the amount of pigmentation under the eyes.
Sanitized Environment Icon by IMAGO Aesthetic Clinic Singapore

SKINBOOSTERS

Some products, injected into or immediately around the skin, can help combat thinning of the skin under the eyes through a combination of improved hydration and/or regenerative effects of polynucleotides derived from salmon DNA. Thicker and hydrated skin will appear smoother and help to conceal any blood vessels beneath from showing through.
Medical Aesthetic Clinic Singapore Orchard Clinic

BTX NEUROTOXINS

Nerve modulators can be used to treat overactivity of the under-eye muscle, which can cause it to bunch up and cast a visible shadow.
Sanitized Environment Icon by IMAGO Aesthetic Clinic Singapore

FILLERS AND BIOSTIMULATORS

Accurate placement of hyaluronic fillers or biostimulators into the sunken under eye region can be used to help restore volume. This is an effective treatment for dark under eyes caused primarily by loss of collagen, fat, and bone mass.
Medical Aesthetic Clinic Singapore Orchard Clinic

HIFU AND RF MICRONEEDLING

Improves skin laxity through lifting and tightening. Properly applied, these treatments can be safely used even over the very thin skin tissue just beneath the eye.