What’s the Best Treatment for Under-Eye Circles?

You can find numerous over-the-counter creams, lotions and serums that promise to lighten under-eye circles. Unfortunately, most of these products cannot permanently reduce the appearance of under-eye circles. You might spend years looking for your “holy grail” product, only to be disappointed.

Instead of wasting more time or money on these products, consult Manhattan plastic surgeon Joshua Greenwald about your concerns. He will examine your circles and ask you questions about your health, medical history and lifestyle. Once Dr. Greenwald has determined what is causing your dark circles, he can recommend the best treatment option.

IPL to Lighten the Skin Color

Some under-eye circles are due to discoloration or pigmentation problems. The skin can thin in that area, making the blood vessels more noticeable and giving the area a blue, red or purple hue. A special laser can be used to constrict the blood vessels, making them less noticeable and minimizing the discoloration.

Lower Eyelid Surgery for the Tear Trough

Sometimes circles are caused by facial fat loss. The tear trough area between the lower eyelid and upper cheek can develop contour depressions that create shadows resembling circles. These depressions can be treated with lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).

An incision is made inside the lower eyelid, the tear trough is released and the area is filled with fat from the lower eyelid. This smoothes out the transition between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek, minimizing the shadows and circles.

Dermal Fillers to Restore Lost Volume

Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers like Juvederm or Restylane can fix dark circles that are caused by thinning skin or fat or tissue loss under the eyes. Fillers are an excellent (yet temporary) fix for cases where there is a visible groove beneath the lower eyelid and cheek.

Injecting the fillers adds volume and fullness to the under-eye area (often called the “tear trough”) so it matches the cheek height and volume. Fillers help to create a smoother transition while minimizing the appearance of puffiness. The circles might not completely disappear, but the eye area usually looks much brighter and healthier. The results last about a year and require repeat treatment to maintain the effects.

Sometimes, your own fat can be injected into the area. Fat transfer results are usually longer lasting, as the fat can thrive if it develops a blood supply.

Because the under-eye area is extremely sensitive and the skin is very thin, only a very experienced injector or plastic surgeon should perform treatment. Look for someone with extensive knowledge of the anatomy and demonstrated results.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenwald to discuss treating under-eye circles, please call (914) 421-0113 or email our practice today.

Dr. Joshua Greenwald is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City who studied and trained at prestigious educational institutions including Columbia University, Emory University, and New York University School of Medicine. His keen aesthetic eye and refined surgical techniques have led him to be a top choice for cosmetic face, breast, and body procedures in NYC. His exceptional patient care has earned him the distinction of “Top Doc” by both Westchester Magazine and Castle & Connolly for over 10 years running. Dr. Greenwald is an active member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Medical Association, and the Westchester County Medical Society.