Understanding Dark Circles: Causes and Contributing Factors

Restylane, RHA density and Belotero hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that are used to treat undereye hollows and dark circles. It helps by restoring lost volume, reducing shadows, and improving skin hydration. Restylane fills through tear troughs (the grooves under the eyes) that creates dark circles by adding volume and reducing the shadow effect. The hyaluronic acid in the filler also retains water which improves the skin’s texture and elasticity. This also minimizes the appearance of blood vessels and stimulates mild collagen production. RHA, and Belotero are other dermal fillers that can be effective the tear trough area and have a thinner injection formula than other fillers that works best for an area with thinner skin, such as the eye.

Regenerative aesthetic treatments, like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) are advanced regenerative treatments that utilize components from your own blood to stimulate healing and rejuvenation and can be used to reduce dark circles and under eye bags.

PRF gel (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is one of the most popular treatments for dark circles and undereye bags. PRF gel utilizes components of your own blood to be spun into an injectable gel. PRF gel can be injected in the tear trough area, the groove under the eye where dark circles are prominent, the lower eyelid skin to improve texture, thickness and fine lines under the eye, and the midface/cheek area as needed to support and lift the under eye. PRF gel is a natural option that stimulates collagen regeneration to thicken the under-eye skin and reduce the visibility of blood vessels. PRF gel extracts fibrin which provides a natural volume to provide subtle volume while promoting long-term rejuvenation while it’s growth factors can also lighten pigmentation making dark circles appear less noticeable.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy: PRP therapy involves using your body’s own platelets to rejuvenate the skin under the eyes. It stimulates collagen production and can improve the appearance of dark circles by addressing both pigmentation and skin texture issues. PRP can also be effectively used in Improving dark circles and hollows beneath the eyes. PRP fillers are a liquid injection that immediately stimulate collagen but can dissipate faster. PRP can treat dark circles and under eye bags if the desire is for skin brightening and texture improvement with minimal volume. After a minimum of 2-3 sessions spaced out 4-6 weeks, the results last 3-6 months before another session is needed, which is roughly half the time of PRF gel.  

PRP can be combined with Genius RF microneedling to treat dark circles and undereye bags. Genius RF is a laser treatment that delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy through microneedles into the skin, causing micro injuries that stimulate collagen and elastin. When carefully treated in the eye area, PRP is applies topically like a serum into the under-eye area. The plasma is absorbed into the micro injuries and promotes skin renewal, which maximizes collagen production over months. When done together, these treatments are complimenting each other and an achieve desired results faster.

Other laser treatments, such as CO2 laser resurfacing is effective for tightening and smoothing the skin around the eyes. It removes damaged skin layers while promoting collagen growth, improving both skin texture and firmness. This treatment is ideal for reducing under eye bags and rejuvenating the overall appearance of the eye area.

The UltraClear laser helps reduce under-eye circles, fine lines, and skin laxity by stimulating collagen production, improving skin tone, and resurfacing the skin. Because it utilizes a cold fiber laser, there is less heat damage, and less downtime compared to a CO2 laser.

The eye and lip chemical peel, is another option in reducing undereye circles.  This is a specialized peel formulated for the delicate eye and lip areas, it addresses fine lines, crow’s feet, and under-eye darkness for eyes and improves texture, unwanted lines, natural color, and plumpness on lips. Other medical-grade products, like our Advanced Retinol Eye Cream can be used to treat undereye circles. This anti-aging eye cream contains peptide complexes, a breakthrough Retinoid, and a form of Vitamin K, to reduce dark circles, promote collagen production to improve fine lines and wrinkles, and increase cellular turnover.

What should I expect during and after a UltraClear laser treatment for undereye bags?

A numbing cream is applied, and protective eyewear will be used. The procedure takes about 15-20 minutes, and patients can experience redness or swelling depending on the depth of the treatment. Skin may appear slightly pink or red much like a mild sunburn and occasionally experience mild swelling if treating puffiness and under eye bags. After 7 days, skin will mildly start to flake while the skin exfoliates and regenerates. After 2-4 weeks you should see visible improvement and tighter, under eye skin. Collagen will continue to develop for the next 3-6 months. Additional treatments are typically required, depending on the severity and can be spaced out every 4-6 weeks.

How effective is PRF gel in reducing the appearance of dark circles, and how many sessions are typically needed?

PRF gel is highly effective in reducing dark circles by stimulating collagen and providing subtle volume. Most patients see improvement after one session, but 2-3 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart yield optimal results. The long-term benefits from PRF include thicker skin and reduced visibility of blood vessels.