One of the most common questions I get from patients is what they can do about under eye “circles.” Sometimes, it is possible to partially camouflage darkness under the eyes with an eye cream that is formulated to address this condition. One of my favorites is Teamine, which is made by Revision Skincare. The product contains green tea and caffeine which help to reduce puffiness and darkness under the eyes. As well, the product is specifically formulated to address the vascular conditions that can lead to the appearance of darkness in the eye area. I personally believe using eye creams twice a day is very important to maintaining skin health and youth, but sometimes products aren’t enough.
For patients who have prominent grooves or hollowing under the eyes (due to genetics or aging), hyaluronic acid injectable fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, etc.) can greatly help. The fillers work to “fill in” grooves or depressed areas so that the patient instantly looks more refreshed. Because there is little movement in the under eye area from making normal facial expressions, fillers injected in this area tend to stay put for a while, which means the patient does not have to worry about having regular repeat injections. While filler can help fix the problem for several months (and longer), it is still not a permanent solution.
As the natural aging process occurs, the under eye area loses elasticity and gains excess skin. This condition definitely needs to be treated with surgery as eye creams will simply not be able to address these types of conditions, and fillers would create more unwanted volume and not address the excess skin. A blepharoplasty is the surgical term for cosmetic eye surgery which can be performed to remove excess skin under the eyes as well as create a tightening effect, and can be performed on the upper eyelids if patients have drooping or excess skin in this area. A blepharoplasty can make patients look decades younger by opening the eyes.
There are several solutions for under eye issues. Make sure to consult with a licensed skin professional or board certified plastic surgeon in order to find the best possible solution for your unique needs.
