Dark circles at a glance
- The concern: dark under-eye circles, hollowing beneath the eyes (tear trough) and lax eyelid skin, which make the face look tired
- Most common causes: thinner skin and collagen loss, redistribution of mid-face fat tissue, pigmentation, the visibility of blood vessels, genetics and lifestyle
- Treatments at ESTERA: hyaluronic acid fillers for the tear trough, PRP, mesotherapy, Fotona SmoothEye® laser eyelid tightening, microneedling
- Plan: depends on the dominant cause; often a combination of methods
- Price: view our price list
Why do dark circles form?
The area around the eyes is anatomically specific – the skin here is up to ten times thinner than on the rest of the face, so every change in it quickly becomes visible. Dark circles rarely have a single cause: they are usually a combination of several factors, which is why they cannot be solved with a single cream.
Most people who come in for a consultation think they have „just“ a problem with pigment or tiredness, while the clinical picture usually includes several layers that need to be separated before choosing a treatment.
Three layers of the problem
- Skin quality: with age the eyelid skin loses collagen and elastin, becomes thinner and more lax, so the small blood vessels and shadows beneath it appear more pronounced;
- Volume: the fat tissue of the mid-face redistributes, so the transition between the eyelid and the cheekbone becomes hollow – the so-called tear trough groove casts a shadow that looks like a dark circle;
- Colour: in some people true pigmentation of the skin dominates, while in others the „dark“ shade is actually the visibility of vessels through thin skin, or the shadow of the hollowing.
How do we assess your dark circles?
At the examination we analyse which layer dominates: whether the main problem is hollowing, the quality and laxity of the skin, the colour, or a combination of these. Only then can the right method be chosen – a filler will correct the hollowing but will not change the quality of the skin; the laser will firm the skin but will not replace volume.
Which treatments help?
- Hyaluronic acid fillers (tear trough) – correction of the hollowing beneath the eye and softening of the shadow, with a precise, conservative technique;
- PRP treatment – your own platelet-rich plasma for a gradual improvement in the quality and thickness of the skin;
- Mesotherapy – cocktails adapted to the sensitive area around the eyes, for hydration and freshness;
- Fotona SmoothEye® – a laser protocol for tightening and firming the eyelid skin;
- Microneedling – controlled collagen stimulation for firming thin skin.
What does a treatment plan look like?
For moderate changes, non-invasive treatments often give very satisfactory results. A plan usually combines methods – for example, volume correction with a filler alongside a course of treatments for skin quality – and we determine the order and intervals individually. For more pronounced changes to the eyelids, we also discuss when surgery has its place.
Frequently asked questions about dark circles
Can dark circles be resolved without surgery?
For mild and moderate changes, yes – tear trough fillers, PRP, mesotherapy, laser eyelid tightening and microneedling, individually or in combination, often give satisfactory results. For more pronounced changes to the eyelids, we assess whether surgery is better justified.
Which treatment is best for dark circles?
There is no universal answer – it depends on whether hollowing, skin quality or colour dominates. A filler resolves hollowing and shadowing, PRP and mesotherapy address skin quality, and the laser addresses laxity. At the examination we determine what the main cause is in your case.
Is filler treatment in the under-eye area safe?
The area around the eyes requires a special technique and experience. With properly selected patients, conservative amounts and an appropriate technique, the treatment is well tolerated; temporary swelling and bruising are possible.
How many treatments do I need?
Filler correction is usually done in a single treatment, while treatments for skin quality (PRP, mesotherapy, laser, microneedling) are planned as a course. The exact plan depends on your dominant cause.
Book an examination at the ESTERA Clinic in Vračar and find out the main cause of your dark circles.
Book a consultation: +381 66 378 372
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