Dark Circles? Let's Say Goodbye
The aesthetic-medical treatment of dark circles is a common practice in aesthetic medicine, seeking to improve the appearance of the eyes by reducing the appearance of dark circles.
Dark circles are areas of skin beneath the eyes that darken due to melanin accumulation — pigmentation that can be caused by genetic factors, aging, sun exposure or photoaging, among others. Although dark circles are a natural part of facial anatomy, they can affect self-esteem and overall appearance. Therefore, many people seek aesthetic-medical treatments to improve their appearance.
There are several treatment methods for dark circles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Among the most common are photobiodynamic therapy, lasers, chemical peels, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, filler materials, carboxytherapy, PLEXR treatment, among others.
Now let’s discuss some of these methods, especially those that provide the best results based on the authors’ experience.
Photobiodynamic Therapy
Photobiodynamic therapy is a novel, non-invasive method that involves 4 or 5 steps, depending on the selected protocol, in which the patient is exposed to a combination peel, a photodynamic serum, and HDD light (high density diodes) integrated into the Fotoage mask.
After a series of sessions — in our experience, between 4 and 6 sessions with intervals of 1 to 2 weeks between each session — the patient achieves very notable results regarding skin tone homogenization, degree of hydration and facial brightness, elimination of fine wrinkles and signs of inflammation.
Photobiodynamic therapy has multiple applications in aesthetic medicine and dermatology, making it one of the most interesting treatments for dark circles and under-eye bags — not only for directly addressing this condition but also for improving the overall quality and health of the skin in the application area.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels, whether with single products like glycolic acid peels or combination peels using a mixture of different active ingredients, are used to exfoliate the skin, homogenize its tone by softening or eliminating spots, and facilitate renewal. It is through this combination of effects that chemical peels can reduce the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags.
Several factors influence the efficacy of this treatment, especially the product used, application technique, prior skin preparation, and post-peel care. For all these reasons, prior assessment by an aesthetic professional is important to obtain the best results while minimizing possible complications.
In the authors’ experience, chemical peels continue to be an effective alternative for treating dark circles while addressing other aspects of facial skin health.
It is important to note another advantage of peels: the existence of at-home peels. While their concentrations are well below those used in aesthetic medicine centers, they are an appropriate way to test tolerance to this type of treatment and verify initial efficacy.
If you’re concerned about dark circles and want to try an at-home alternative to conventional aesthetic-medical treatments, here is a selection of two products we use at Clínica Skin Esthetic in our routine practice.
Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
Eliminates impurities and revitalizes the skin. Perfect exfoliant for renewing the skin, leaving it smoother and more luminous. Unifies color and provides clarity.
Facial Chemical Peel
Rejuvenating treatment that acts as an exfoliant to produce more luminous, smooth, and youthful skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid is a widely used ingredient in cosmetic treatments due to its hydrating and regenerating properties. Its ability to trap and retain water makes it a key component of many skin care products, including fillers used for treating dark circles.
By injecting hyaluronic acid into the skin, we create controlled deposits of this product in strategic areas, which helps smooth lines and wrinkles around the eyes, including dark circles. This translates into an improved overall appearance of the skin around the eyes, giving a younger and fresher look.
As with any aesthetic procedure, tear trough filler application is not without complications. While most complications are usually mild — for example, bruising at injection sites — others can result in significant problems if not anticipated or detected in time. Therefore, the authors recommend having this procedure performed by an aesthetic professional with real experience in filler application.
We can conclude that tear trough fillers with hyaluronic acid continue to be one of the most frequent and demanded aesthetic-medical treatments — at least from the authors’ experience — due to the immediacy and efficacy of results.
Blepharoplasty with PLEXR?
The PLEXR is an innovative device based on plasma sublimation. For the interested reader, we can define plasma sublimation as a non-ablative electrosurgery method that uses radiofrequency energy to generate plasma from atmospheric gas, creating a mixture of intermittent mobile ions, electrons, and chemical compounds. This focused microplasma beam sublimates the epidermal target tissue.
The ion flow does not spread to deeper planes, preserving the basal lamina, and the tissue is reached by evaporation, preventing heat transfer and subsequent damage to surrounding tissue, leading to very controlled and precise tissue elimination.
In simple terms, this device allows us to remove the superficial layer of skin very precisely, without affecting deeper layers, which are responsible for regeneration. This enables us to eliminate the problem tissue while effectively stimulating skin growth, which greatly minimizes the possibility of residual scarring.
Advantages of using PLEXR include excellent efficacy, minimal recovery time, and a strong safety profile. Non-surgical blepharoplasty with PLEXR can be performed in the comfort of an outpatient clinic without general anesthesia, representing a great advantage over current surgical procedures for treating dark circles and under-eye bags. In our experience, PLEXR treatment results can last for years.
We cannot ignore that while this technique is effective and safe, there are factors to consider before performing non-surgical blepharoplasty with PLEXR, including that after the procedure, a scab and then redness will appear in the treated area. These phases typically resolve over 10-14 days and 1-2 months, respectively. Therefore, the patient must fit these expected effects into their scheduled social or work activities.
To enhance the results and longevity of this technique, once the scab has been eliminated, in our work routine we typically use some cosmetic products with considerable efficacy. Here are links to some of these products.
Facial Bio Serum
High dosage of low, medium, and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid
Get it
Eye Contour Serum
Serum with hyaluronic acid that intensely hydrates and fills wrinkles in the eye contour area.
Eye Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Caffeine
Intensely hydrates and fills lines around the eyes and corrects dark circles.
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Skin Esthetic Pearls on Dark Circle Treatment
Today we’ve reviewed some of the most frequently used aesthetic procedures for treating dark circles and under-eye bags. Remember that when correctly indicated and performed by experienced professionals, these procedures are effective, with lasting results and a high safety profile.
Remember that besides the discussed options, there are other approaches with very good results, for example carboxytherapy, facial mesotherapy, microdermabrasion, among others. Don’t hesitate to consult our professionals about these other treatment modalities.
Finally, keep in mind that quality cosmetics, either alone or in combination with these procedures, can be key to treating dark circles and under-eye bags, or to enhance the results of the discussed approaches.
Clínica Skin Esthetic
Aesthetic medicine performed in unauthorized centers by personnel lacking proper training and qualification poses a serious risk to patient health. At Skin Esthetic, we are an Advanced Aesthetic Medicine Clinic. We perform aesthetic-medical procedures with high scientific rigor, by a duly qualified team, always focused on preserving the natural look that only you can have. Remember, at Skin Esthetic we work so that your only concern is thinking:
Why didn’t I do this sooner…?
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