Why do I have dark circles under my eyes?
Genetics
Some individuals naturally have deeper pigmentation under the eyes.
Thin skin and aging
Natural loss of collagen makes blood vessels more visible and loss of fat under the eyes leads to hollowing and shadowing.
Lifestyle Factors
Lack of sleep, stress, smoking, vaping, and excessive alcohol consumption can all make dark circles worse.
Allergies
Sinus congestion and allergies can worsen under eye pigmentation and puffiness.
Sun Damage
UV radiation increases melanin, thins the skin and increases visible blood vessels and skin redness.
What causes dark circles?
They result from multiple factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and structural changes in the skin.
Best treatments for dark circles
Laser treatments for dark circles
- Radiofrequency Microneedling and Sublative RF
(CANDELA MATRIX) addresses many of the causes of dark circles along with eyebags and festoons with low downtime
- Fractional Laser
(ALMA HYBRID, ACCLARO ULTRACLEAR, CANDELA NORDLYS 1550/1940, LUTRONICS ULTRA 1927)
- Best laser treatment
for dark circles will be guided by their cause, severity and downtime preferences
- Mixed vascular and pigment laser
including Intense Pulsed Light (CANDELA NORDLYS IPL and LONG-PULSE ND:YAG) and pico laser (CANDELA PICOWAY)
- These improve pigmentation
address thin skin, blood vessel, improve skin texture, tighten skin and reduce fine lines plus can address eyebags and festoons.
Biostimulators/Healers for under eye Hallows, Hollows and Shadows
- REJURAN
can address hollowness and improve the appearance of these structural dark circles plus stimulates collagen and cell renewal along with pigment and redness plus skin quality benefits.
- PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP)
Stimulates collagen production and improves skin texture and pigmentation. Best for tired-looking eyes with thinning skin.
In line with the latest TGA guidelines, we are unable to display specific cosmetic treatments. However, our full range of treatments remains available.
Chemical Peels for under-eye pigmentation:
- Best Peels: glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid and TCA.
- Improve pigmentation, fine lines and skin texture.
- Best for pigmented dark circles and uneven skin tone
- Where excess skin and shadowing is contributing to dark under eye circles laser microcoring for a laser blepharoplasty (ACCLARO ULTRACLEAR) can remove excess fat & tighten the skin under the eyes.
Medical-Grade Skincare for dark circles: Best eye cream for dark circles and puffiness
- Brightening Creams: Contain ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, tranexamic acid and niacinamide to reduce pigmentation.
- Retinoids: Stimulate collagen production over time to thicken skin and reduce the visibility of blood vessels.
- Caffeine-Based Products: Reduce puffiness and improve circulation under the eyes.
- Best for daily maintenance and mild dark circles
Does diet affect dark circles under the eyes:
Lifestyle Modifications
- Adequate Sleep: Ensure 7–8 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Drink plenty of water and consume a balanced diet rich in antioxidants.
- Sun Protection: Use 50+ sunscreen and wear sunglasses to prevent UV damage.
Which treatment is right for you?
This requires a personalized approach based on your clinical type of dark circle along with their cause.
Expert dermatologist imaging and assessment will guide recommendations based on whether your dark circles are of the pigment (melanin), vascular (visible blood vessels), structural (hallows, hollows or tear trough formation) or mixed type.
Some treatments address multiple skin changes and/or causes of under-eye circles and others work best in combination. Integrated medical-grade skin care can also enhance your response to treatment and help maintain your treatment benefits.
While treatments can all have benefits, an individual assessment by one of our dermatologists and dermatology nurses is required. Personalized treatment recommendations will be based on your individual assessment, including skin type, severity, desired results and downtime preferences, a holistic approach and consideration of potential risks including rare complications.
