At SkinMD, we have noticed a significant rise in patients who are concerned about the color and condition of their under-eye area. Yes, we are over-scheduled and sleep deprived, dehydrated and stress, however these are no reasons to tolerate puffy, wrinkly, dark and hollow looking eyes or a haggard look!
Recent studies report a dramatic increase in the cosmetics and skin care industry spending on developing products to reduce under-eye circles. I am sure you have seen the variety of products on drugstore, department store and grocery store shelves, claiming to reduce under-eye circles and puffiness. In Sephora alone, there are more than 50 products sold, specifically designed to treat under-eye circles. The presence of all these over-the-counter “solutions” is a tell-tale indicator that they are minimally effective, if at all.
Dark under-eye circles generally have three causes:
1. Dark pigmentation of the skin– The pigment of the skin actually changes color as red blood cells break down.
2. Prominent vasculature behind fair color translucent skin– As the skin thins with age, underlying blood vessels may show through, appearing as dark circles.
3. Shadowing and hollowing out behind the eyes that is common with aging– In other cases, those circles are actually dark shadows. As facial skin sags and loses volume, the area above the cheeks (the tear trough) hollows out, causing a shadowed effect.
Sometimes dark circles have nothing to do with age—you just have them and probably always did, just like your parents and siblings.
In our office, the third cause is the most frequently seen and we have been able to effectively use lasers, soft tissue fillers such as Juvederm® orRadiesse to improve the appearance of under eye hollowing, creating more effective and long-lasting results than over-the-counter skincare products.
Juvederm consists of hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin and it is known to bond water molecules. When injected under the skin, fillers help restore volume loss beneath eyes. For those with thin skin and prominent vasculature Radiesse, which has an opaque color seems to work better because it not only fills in the hollow it also blends out the dark colors behind the eyes. The essential factor to getting a good result when you have decided on eye treatments is to see an expert injector. To place filler under the eye takes enormous amounts of skill and if it isn’t done well, the dark circles can look much worse. It also is important to note that use of Juvederm under the eyes is not the ideal choice for many patients. Juvederm’s extraordinary ability to attract water may be a benefit in other parts of the face but under the eyes it tends to cause puffiness and blue discoloration. Of course, not every patient is a candidate for filler. For those with dark skin pigmentation, we also recommend Auriderm, a topical vitamin K solution, or laser treatments such as UltraPulse CO2 collagen stimulation or resurfacing to improve the appearance of any darkness or circles beneath the eyes. Many of our patients have found our recommended TNS Eye Repair quite beneficial as well.
SkinMD Laser and Aesthetic Medical Clinic
“keeping you youthful for years to come”
T: (206) 525-0903
W: www.skinmdseattle.com
