Dark circles under the eyes are usually located in the area between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek. The subcutaneous blood vessels in this area are easier to see because the skin around the eyes is very thin and sensitive. That’s why the eyes are extremely susceptible to injury and other types of environmental influence.
How to remove dark circles from eyes is a common question at clinics in Singapore. It is difficult to reduce the appearance of the shadow around the eyes. The treatment normally depends on what the cause is.
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What Causes Dark Circles?
Dark circles are often the result of complex factors affecting the periorbital area:
- loss of volume;
- thinning of the epidermis and dermis;
- hyperpigmentation;
- poor blood supply.
Removing the problem requires a brilliant knowledge of anatomy and a trained hand because this area of the face is extremely delicate. When does the condition appear?
- One of the causes is a dilation of the blood vessels and inflammation of the skin.
- The main factor for dark circles under the eyes is periorbital hyperpigmentation.
- Another common cause of dark circles is the translucency of the subcutaneous vessels due to age-related loss of collagen.
- Fatigue, lack of sleep, dehydration, too much screen time, excessive smoking, and consumption of coffee or alcohol can cause dark circles to form under the eyes.
- Changes in bone structure, which also occur with age. The bone around the orbits melts slightly, causing the eye area to sag and form a shadow.
- With the loss of volume and subcutaneous fat from the area under the eye to the cheeks.
- Dark circles under the eyes can also be a symptom of other pathological conditions, such as allergies, liver disease, systemic malnutrition, eczema, and so on.
- Dark circles can be also a result of sun overexpose. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest in the body and UV rays can quickly damage it.
- Dark circles can be hereditary.
Medical Procedures for Dark Eye Circles
One of the causes of the appearance of dark circles is a dilation of the blood vessels and inflammation of the skin. Some types of blood vessels can be treated with certain lasers that can be found in many clinics in Singapore.
Another common cause is the loss of fat in the skin as we age. If that’s the problem it best treated by injecting dermal fillers into the skin. These dermal fillers are substances such as hyaluronic acid or collagen. They can be injected to plump that skin back up, reduce the shadowing, and make the skin essentially not show the pigmentation as much.
General skin ageing and pigmentation from sun exposure over time is a problem and that condition is best treated by creams. Some creams that contain active ingredients such as hydroquinone or retinoids are usually effective in that case.
Chemical Peels for Dark Eye Circles Removal
A chemical peel is a popular procedure for dark eye circles removal in Singapore. The treatment goes through a series of steps to prepare the skin including derma planning. Derma planing is the process of removing hair in the first layer of skin cells to allow the ingredients to penetrate the skin for the most effective results. The peels work differently on different patients. If it has very good results for some people it may not be the best option for others. The chemical peel is determined based on some factors such as if the skin is dry or sensitive.
Let’s take a look at how the chemical peels ingredients work?
- Glycolic acid has a good effect on ageing, hyperpigmentation, tone, and skin texture.
- Salicylic acid targets oily skin and acne. It also improves skin tone.
- Lactic acid works to reduce skin looseness, discolouration, and pore size.
Laser Treatment for Dark Circles Eyes
The causes of the dark circles are different and more than one type of laser can help to improve the skin around the eyes. The lasers stimulate collagen production, make the skin healthier, and improve the appearance of fine lines. The lasers can partially ablate the skin and remove some of the top layers to allow a new fresh layer of skin to come in.
Under Eye Filler Injection for Dark Circles Under Eyes
Injecting dermal fillers into the tissue under the eye can be also effective for dark circles. It is a really fast procedure and the results are immediate. What does it do is it fills in the area under the eyes so the shadows are no longer cast. It also helps to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. The procedure does not do anything about periorbital hyperpigmentation. It will just appear much lighter. The fillers fixe the hallow and help reduce dark eye circles. The product that is normally used is hyaluronic acid.
The procedure is minimally invasive. The patients may need another one in a month or so. Normally one treatment is good to give the difference but for perfect results, the clients need more. Fillers usually last about a year.
Dark Eye Circles Surgery
The surgery for lower eyelid is also known as lower eyelid blepharoplasty. It can be done on the upper eyelids too. Lower eyelid surgery reduces the appearance of dark eye circles, eye bags, and puffiness. Beneath the eyelid skin is located a layer of muscle that is separated from the fat by a tissue membrane, also known as an orbital septum. This orbital septum and the muscle layers weaken and drop with age. That normally deposits fat in the eye area and causing bags and puffiness under the eyes.
The lower eyelid surgery can be performed in two ways – inside and outside the eye. The outside blepharoplasty includes an incision on the outside of the lower eyelid. Inside lower eyelid surgery is performed with an incision inside the eyelid – in the conjunctiva. Both procedures remove excess fat and improve loose skin.
During the procedure, the surgeon corrects the following layers: fat-causing “heaviness”, excess skin causing wrinkles, and loose muscle. Blepharoplasty has the best results on thicker skin, more defined hollow, and colour of the skin.
Lower eyelid surgery is normally performed under general anaesthesia, but it can be also done under local anaesthesia with sedation. After the procedure, you may have some bruising, pain, or swelling. Your surgeon probably will recommend getting some pain killers and placing a cold compress on your eyes. The recovery time is normally about a week. After that, you will begin to notice an improvement and a more youthful appearance. Blepharoplasty is a procedure with very long-lasting results.
Having dark circles under the eyes usually isn’t a health concern, but most of the people want to remove them for cosmetic reasons. There are different types of treatments for dark eye circles removal in Singapore. They all have different possible results so it is always best to get advice from a specialist. Many people need just a few laser treatments. For some, the doctor may recommend filler injection like Juvederm or Restylane. There are others of course that need surgery. It all depends on your condition and expectation.
Costs for dark eye circle treatment in Singapore clinics may vary depending on different procedures.
How to Get Rid of Dark Circles at Home?
Home remedies, such as cold compresses may help relieve dark circles in eyes and puffiness but these are not effective long term treatments. Here are some examples of how to get rid of dark circles at home:
- Green and black tea are suitable products to soothe puffy and tired eyes, and dark circles formed around this area. Caffeine teas constrict blood vessels which help reduce swelling. Herbal teas (especially chamomile) relieve redness and inflammation.
- Green tea is rich in antioxidants and tannins, which also help fight dark circles and puffy eyes.
- Cucumbers are a well-known remedy for restoring and refreshing tired eyes. In addition to refreshing, they cause constriction of blood vessels, which helps to improve skin colour and reduce puffiness.
- Potatoes have natural whitening properties and they are a proven remedy against puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.
- Vitamin E and almond oil also may help to reduce eye circles.
There are several home remedies and medical treatments for removing or reducing the appearance of dark circles. If you want to know how to remove dark eye circles permanently, you need to see a doctor.