Dark circles under the eyes happen from many different reasons. It usually is a contrast between the surrounding pale skin and darker skin of the lower eyelids. The sun shines down from above exposing more of the lower eyelid skin that sits on a platform of the cheeks.

This is the reason the football players put dark grease under the eyes to reduce the glare effect. When you are born the skin color is the same for all of the facial skin. After years of sun exposure it starts appearing darker than the surrounding skin. There are a few more contributing factors. Allergies can increase blood supply leading to dark blood causing congestion and darker shiners. Excess fat of the lower eyelid skin can cause a shadow effect and make the dark circles look worst.

In light of the above the treatment depends on the cause. For sun induced darkness lasers and chemical peels help. However, exposure to sun can bring it back. Strict daily application of sun screen and wearing sunglasses is a must.

If you have allergies, then proper use of antihistamines, and nasal steroid sprays under the supervision of a physician or immunotherapy will help.

Lastly if there is fat bulging from the lower eyelids then there are two good options. In cases of small amount of fat, injecting a filler such as Juvederm or Restylane just below the fat bulge in the tear trough will camouflage the bags and hence reduce the dark circles. (Watch the following video;( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49gKpUg5kpc )If there is a lot of fat then lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a viable solution. In this procedure excess fat is excised along with a small amount of excess skin and then lower eyelid becomes relatively flat reducing any appearance of dark circles. Watch the following video:

Dr. Tanveer A. Janjua is a New Jersey based facial plastic surgeon who specializes in facelift, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty and other facial surgery services.

His main office location in Bedminister, NJ — within easy access from Morris and Somerset County, New Jersey and New York City. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us toll-free at 877-JANJUA1.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO GIVE A MEDICAL OPINION. TO OBTAIN A MEDICAL OPINION, YOU WILL NEED TO BE EVALUATED IN PERSON. FOR ANY QUESTIONS CALL OUR OFFICE AT 908-470-2600