Showing up at work or at your best friend’s birthday party with dark circles under your eyes basically guarantees that someone will say those dreaded three words that no one wants to hear: “You look tired.” 

Let’s face it—even when you are tired, you don’t want to look tired. Concealer helps, of course, but if you suffer from chronic under eye circles, you’re probably on the hunt for a longer-lasting solution. You may have heard that dermal fillers can significantly reduce dark circles under the eyes. This is true, but they won’t work all types of under eye circles.  Read on to find out more about the different causes of under eye circles and which ones can be corrected with dermal fillers. 

What causes dark circles?

The skin beneath our eyes is thinner and more delicate than anywhere else on the face. While this is true for all of us, some people’s under eye area is more vulnerable to developing dark circles than others. The specific causes for under eye circles vary, but here are a few: 

• Fair-skinned people with particularly thin skin (by way of genetics or collagen loss) are more likely to have dark circles caused by visible veins beneath the surface of the skin. 

• Some people naturally produce more pigment around the eye area, and those who spend a lot of time in the sun may have increased melanin content around the eyes as well. 

• Congestion brought on by seasonal allergies causes blood to pool in the capillaries, resulting in dark, puffy circles beneath the eyes. 

• Volume loss due to sun damage, rapid weight loss, or the natural aging process can result in sunken hollow areas beneath the eyes that appear as dark circles.

The remedy for under eye circles depends on whether they’re caused by visible blood vessels, excess pigment, or volume loss. Retinoids can help rebuild dermal collagen, thickening the skin so that the blood vessels are not as visible. (Try SkinMedica’s TNS Eye Repair®.)  Topical lightening creams can treat dark circles by addressing pigmentation issues. (Try SkinMedica’s TNS Illuminating Eye Cream®). And if you have dark circles caused by volume loss, the best way to correct them is with dermal fillers. 

Do dermal fillers remove dark circles?

Dermal fillers are pretty darn magical. They can treat a range of cosmetic concerns, but they’re not so magical that they actually remove dark circles. Instead, they temporarily reduce the appearance of under eye circles by filling in the sunken hollow left behind with the loss of volume. If you don’t have any hollowness beneath the eyes, you’ll probably need an alternative treatment for your dark circles. 

Can Botox help with dark circles under eyes?

Although Botox is often mistaken as a dermal filler, it isn’t one. Dermal fillers are used to fill in or plump up, whereas Botox is used to prevent muscle contractions. Botox cannot treat the dark circles beneath the eyes but it does a great job at correcting dynamic wrinkles, meaning those caused by muscle movement and facial expressions. Because these two types of injectables work so differently, they’re quite complementary. Combining Botox with dermal fillers can address multiple cosmetic concerns at one time.  For example, you can use dermal fillers to correct the hollow dark circles beneath your eyes and Botox to treat your crow’s feet for a more complete eye refresh. 

As with all other cosmetic procedures, it’s crucial to work with an experienced medical professional who has both the skill and the artistry to help you choose the best products and get you closest to your individual goals.

What is the best filler for dark circles under eyes?

If you’ve done much Internet browsing for dermal fillers lately, then you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. We’ll help make it easy for you. The secret is hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance found in the body that helps skin retain moisture and maintain its supple, firm texture. 

The best fillers for treating under eye circles contain hyaluronic acid because, unlike some other types of fillers, they tend to be soft, pliable, and can blend into the skin for a natural look. HA fillers are transparent, so they become invisible once injected beneath the skin. In addition to adding volume to the hollow spaces and filling in fine lines, HA fillers also stimulate collagen production for long-lasting results. Another key benefit of using hyaluronic fillers is that if you’re not satisfied or want to make adjustments after your treatment, they can be reversed or modified with hyaluronidase, a natural enzyme that breaks down the synthetic hyaluronic acid found in the filler formulas.

So which dermal fillers are best for under eye circles?

At Siti Med Spa, we love Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® for treating dark circles under the eyes.  Both lines offer hyaluronic acid fillers in a range of formulas that vary in thickness and pliability, allowing for a customized treatment for each individual. 

Dermal filler results for under eye circles can last up to a year. 

Ready to refresh? Come see us at Siti Med Spa today!

At Siti Med Spa, our mission is to provide you with the best possible service to help you meet your cosmetic goals. At our full-service medical spa, we offer a wide range of treatments and procedures specially chosen to help our patients achieve a healthy, natural, and ageless appearance.

If you’re interested in learning more about our dermal fillers for under eye circles or any of our other services, please call us at 619-717-8484 to schedule a consultation today.