Dark Under Eye Circles | From Yes They're Fake!

Introduction: Dark Circles 101
What Causes Dark Circles?
Are You a Candidate For Treatment?
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Your Preoperative Appointment For Surgical Procedures
Preparing for Your Treatment
How These Treatments Are Performed
The Road to Recovery
Risks & Complications of These Treatments
References
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Introduction: Dark Circles 101
They can make us look tired, skeletal, unhealthy, haggard, or worse. What are they and why are they there? What can you do to get rid of them? We are going to cover the many reasons dark circles appear and help you find solutions which suit your needs. Sometimes there are simple reasons such as iron deficiency, lack of sleep and hyperpigmentation. Although this accounts only for the darkness not the sunken look. Sometimes dark circles may also be enhanced because of a sunken sub-orbicularis oculi area. Dark circles don't have to be bother you forever -- there are procedures to subdue this if not correct it entirely.

What Causes Dark or Sunken Under Eye Circles?
There can be one or several reasons together which may contribute to a darkened or sunken look.

lack of sleep
iron or other vitamin deficiencies
sickness
hyperpigmentation
"excessive" vascularization (due to medications such as Retin A)
visible blood vessels due to fast loss, thin, aging skin or hereditary thinness or superficial vessels
fat loss in general which causes a sunken look

Are You a Candidate for Dark or Sunken Under Eye Circles Removal?
This entirely depends upon the problem at hand. Some you very well may be able to handle, some you may not be a candidate for. The first step is consulting with a qualified surgeon or dermatologist to determine the cause and then go over your options for a solution. For instance, you may be a candidate for hydroquinone use in hyperpigmentations but not laser resurfacing.

This is really important as not all skin types and individuals will be a candidate for every technique or treatment. This largely depends upon your skin type, wound type response and the presence of ethnicity in your family history (keloids and hypo- or hyperpigmentations can form in darker skinned individuals).

Regardless, and especially for surgical applications -- an individual must be in good health, not have any active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of your treatment. Communication is crucial in reaching one's goals. You must be able to voice your desires to your physician if he/she is to understand what your desired results are. Discuss your goals with your physician so that you may reach an understanding with what can realistically be achieved.

You must be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo an cosmetic procedure or treatment. Some of these treatments will require patience and stability in dealing with the healing period. There is sometimes a lull or depression after surgery or during prolonged treatments and if there is already a pre-existing emotional problem, this low period can develop into a more serious issue. Please consider this before committing to a procedure. If the above describes you and you have the desire to rid yourself of dark undereye circles or sunken undereye areas, you may be a good candidate for these treatments.

Your Options and Their Indications
Let's go over the causes again and list the possible options. Remember not all options will be suitable for all individuals. Only a trained and qualified physician can help you determine the best course of treatment. It is also smart to have several separate opinions.

lack of, or too much sleep: increase or decrease your sleep time to see what works best for you.
iron or other vitamin deficiencies: See your general practitioner or ask about a multi vitamin. Different individuals can be deficient in different vitamins such as iron -- our bodies are all different. Individuals with anemia may notice a darkened hue under the eyes,
sickness: usually this will subside after you are well. Be sure to get plenty of rest and eat a balanced diet without too many refined carbohydrates and sugars.
hyperpigmentation: often seen in ethnic persons such as persons of Indian descent. Hydroquinone is a good option as it can lighten the skin if that is the problem. Hydroquinone or Kojic acid is often used in ethnic and Caucasian patients to lighten the skin before laser treatments, peels, etc. The lack of melanin visible in the skin before a laser procedure can greatly decrease the chances of postoperative hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentations can also be lessened or removed by using various lasers or even intense pulsed light. chemical peels may also help as well.
"excessive" vascularization (due to medications such as Retin A): many times when this is the case superficial vessels can be removed or zapped using various lasers or even intense pulsed light. You do not want to destroy all the vessels in the eye area. I have this and am getting them zapped as soon as I get to LA to see my facial doc.
visible blood vessels due to fast loss, thin, aging skin or hereditary thinness: for deeper visible vascularity, fat grafting works very well. The facial fat loss we experience due to aging can significantly "unearth" the highly vascular area of the eye. The blood vessels are more visible when this happens creating a darker look.
fat loss in general which causes a sunken or hollow look: The facial fat loss we experience due to aging can significantly increase the sunken look as well as unearth the highly vascular area of the eye. This can also be remedied with fat grafting or some injectable fillers. I have this too -- joy. It honestly got worse within a year after my rhinoplasty. I am getting fat grafting hopefully this summer or something .

What to Expect at Your Consultation
After checking a few surgeons' or physician's (dermatologists as well) backgrounds and credentials, you will make an appointment for a consultation. You will meet with these surgeons and discuss your goals and you will disclose all information regarding your health; if you smoke, what medications or vitamins you presently take, etc. -- this is very important. You really should consider smoking cessation as this can significantly decrease healing in more invasive procedures. Visit the Medication & Supplements List for more information.

You will discuss your complaints and concerns and discuss the problems or complaints, the amount that can be improved, etc. Your doctor will explain the techniques or treatments which may be most appropriate for you. He or she should discuss the risks associated with the specific treatment types with you, as well.

You will also discuss the available anesthesia that will be used for your procedure if applicable. Most non-invasive procedures require either either no anesthesia or light, topical anesthesia. More invasive procedures, such as fat grafting, are performed under either Light Sleep Sedation, Twilight or regional -- sometimes even local with oral sedation. However, some docs may use General IV Sedation. Either way, discuss this beforehand as many people are not aware of the risks of Anesthesia. If you do go under Deep General, ascertain that the anesthesiologist is certified. Please read the All About Anesthesia Page -- the risks regarding anesthesia should be considered for a fully informed choice.

If you would like more information on Consultations or a list of questions to ask your surgeon please visit the Consultation Help Page. If you should choose to book or reserve a surgery date (if applicable) you will usually give a deposit to hold your surgery date. Most times if you cancel a few days beforehand, this amount is usually non-refundable. After paying your deposit and scheduling a surgery date, you will also schedule a pre-operative appointment...

Your Preoperative Appointment
This appointment addresses more questions you may not have thought to ask at the initial consultation, such as more surgical or treatment details, concerns and even ascertaining that your surgeon is aware of what you desire from your procedure. However this is usually reserved for surgical procedures , such as fat grafting -- or anything requiring more preparation. Just as your surgeon will make certain that you know what it realistically possible from this procedure.

You will also discuss your pre-operative instructions and speak about the recovery period instructions and what to expect in the months ahead. You will be given prescriptions for antibiotics, pain relievers, perhaps blood pressure medicines, prescription anti-inflammatory drugs and perhaps a box of Arnica montana. Would like to know more on the benefits of Arnica montana? Perhaps you will be instructed to obtain Bromelain or other types of remedies, although many surgeons would rather have you not take ANYTHING other than your prescription medications, please do not go against your surgeon's wishes. Remember, always ask your doctor before taking any of these products.

Please do not hesitate to address any concerns that you may have during this time and even after your pre-operative appointment. If you remember something when you get home or the next day or even the day of surgery - don't be afraid to ask.

Preparing for Your Treatment
You should be given a pre-operative information packet that explains everything you should do and know before your surgery date. The packet should include a list of all the medications you should not take starting usually at 2 weeks before your surgery. These medications will include, but are not limited to, aspirin containing products, stimulants, seratonin supplements, etc. Would you like to view a typical Medication & Supplements List? We have a printer-friendly version as well. Also, if your surgeon advised that you may take Arnica montana, Bromelain, Vitamin K, etc. for swelling and bruising you should either have this in your packet or begin shopping for your necessities.

It is quite possible that you will have preliminary blood work performed. This is normally an extra out-of-pocket expense that the patient must participate in to check your white and red blood cell count (CBC, complete blood count) which can ultimately alert your doctor to disease or disorders beforehand. If you are a female they may take an extra vial for a pregnancy test. Some surgeons ask that you have physical. This can be yet another out of pocket expense so ask at your consultation what will be needed when you are quoted a price.

So many things to do... so little time. Surgery will be here before you know it so visit the Preparing For Surgery page and relax. This section contains, printer-friendly pre-op lists, tips and advice as well as things you must do to prepare for your big day.

How These Treatments Are Performed
This section largely depends upon the type of treatment sought.

hyperpigmentation: Please see our Hyperpigmentation section for more information on this treatment.
visible superficial blood vessels: Please see our Lasers Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light sections for more information on these treatments.
visible blood vessels due to fast loss: Please see our Fat Grafting section for more information on this treatment.
sunken or "hollow-eyed" look: Again, see our Fat Grafting section for more information on this treatment.

The Road to Recovery
This section largely depends upon the type of treatment sought, as well, due to the various treatments available. Some may be only a period of peeling and redness, some more like a burn, some treatments may involve significant swelling. Please see the above sections and read its respective recovery information section in its entirety.

Risks & Complications of Dark or Sunken Under Eye Circle Treatments
Although this section also depends upon the treatment - risks can be anywhere from permanent hypo- or hyperpigmentation to infection. Please read the respective Risks & Complication Sections for the appropriate treatment for your own individual needs.

hyperpigmentation: Please see our Hyperpigmentation section for associated risks and complications.
visible superficial blood vessels: Please see our Laser Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light sections for associated risks and complications.
visible blood vessels due to fast loss: Please see our Fat Grafting section for associated risks and complications. Fat Grafting is very effective, but is not without its risks.
sunken or "hollow-eyed" look: Again, see our Fat Grafting section for associated risks and complications.

The Average Price of Dark or Sunken Under Eye Circle Treatment
The average prices for dark under eye circle treatment varies significantly with the technique used, region and surgeon. Average prices for this procedure is $15. - $4,000.US and depends upon the type of treatment needed. With procedures performed in a hospital or under General (where applicable) with a certified anesthesiologist -- prices are usually be higher.

References
Yale Medical Core Curriculum
Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary

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