Dark Circle Removal Treatment
Idaho Falls and Rexburg
Dark Circles Under Your Eyes and Puffy Lower Eyelids What is the problem?
Many women and men alike are unhappy with the appearance of their lower eyelids. It is common for younger individuals to complain of “dark circles” under the eyelids.
Then, with age, the complaint becomes about “eyelid bags” that appear to be “packed and ready for a long journey”!!! These findings are unwelcome because they make you look tired and much older than you feel! Luckily, there are treatments that make a big difference and help you look refreshed, well rested, and natural.
What is the cause of “dark circles” under the eyelids and “lower eyelid bags”?
Aging changes of the face, of course, are the culprit once again when it comes to the cause of both dark circles under the eyelids and lower eyelid bags. There are many things that lead to these findings and complaints. Everyone is a bit different and will have a different combination of the findings that are discussed below.
Thin Eyelid Skin Overlying the Orbicularis Oculi Muscle
The skin of the lower eyelid is some of the thinnest skin in the body. The eyelid skin is thinnest closest to the eyelashes where it is less than 1 mm in thickness. Not only is the lower eyelid skin very thin, but the orbicularis oculi muscle, or the muscle that helps you close your eyelids, is directly below your eyelid skin. There is no fat between the eyelid skin and the orbicularis oculi muscle. The muscle is a dark reddish pink color. The fact that this muscle is directly below the very thin skin, with no fat between the skin and muscle as in other areas of the face, can lead to the dark color of the lower eyelid skin in some.
Decreased Collagen, and Elastin Production
Collagen and elastin are two proteins that provides structure and support for skin. In young people, these proteins are produced naturally and keep the skin looking smooth and tight. With age, the body produces less and less collagen and elastin. Not only do you begin to produce less and less collagen and elastin as you age, but the collagen and elastin that is there, is damaged by UV radiation that comes from being out in the sun. As the amount of collagen and elastin decreases or is damaged by the sun, the skin becomes thinner, wrinkles begin to appear, and the skin begins to sag. These changes make the appearance of “dark circles” and “under eyelid bags” worse.
Anatomic Changes
With age, the bone of the facial skeleton starts to resorb and change shape. At the same time, the fat pads of the face – including the fat pads found deep to the skin of the cheek – shrink in size. As the fat pads get smaller and the bones of the face change shape, the area between the lower eyelid and the cheek changes shape. This leads to an indentation between the lower eyelid and cheek. This is often called the “tear trough”. When the tear trough starts to appear, a shadow can develop in this area that gives the appearance of a “dark circle” under the eyelid. The tissue that holds back the fat around the eyes also becomes weak and this fat starts to bulge forward and “eyelid bags” start to appear.
"IT'S NOT THE HAVING, IT'S THE GETTING."
ELIZABETH TAYLOR
Dr. Cutler Peck is recognized as the region’s foremost eyelid surgery specialist.
Dr. Cutler Peck is a double board-certified plastic surgeon focused on Oculofacial
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Cutler Peck is a double board-certified plastic surgeon focused on Oculofacial
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
How can I treat the “dark circles” or the “bags” under my eyelids?
Medical Grade Skin Care
While there are many, many skin care products to choose from, it is important to look for products that are clinically proven to do what they say they do. This means that there are research studies, performed by someone other than the company selling the product, saying that the products work. Medical grade skin care products, or products you can purchase from a doctor’s office, have been studied and found to be effective.
Medical grade skin care products that can help with the appearance of your lower eyelids include sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation and prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your delicate lower eyelid skin. Products that provide antioxidants, improve the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and increase the amount of collagen and hydration in your skin will also help with the appearance of dark circles of the lower eyelids.
Dermal Filler
Products made of hyaluronic acid and known as dermal filler can be used to replace volume in the “tear trough”. This can help smooth out the area between the lower eyelid and cheek. This in turn will help get rid of the shadow in this area that makes the lower eyelids have a “dark circle” appearance.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Treatment of lower eyelid skin with a resurfacing laser is a great way to improve the quality and thickness of the delicate lower eyelid skin. Laser resurfacing with the UltraClear laser will tighten the skin as well as stimulate the production of collagen in the area. This leads to significant improvements in both the “dark circles” and the appearance of “bags” of the lower eyelids.
Surgical Correction
When someone has significant “lower eyelid bags”, it is usually because fat that used to be back behind the bones around the eyes has come forward. When this is the case, the best treatment is removal of the fat with a surgery.
If you are interested in improving the appearance of your lower eyelids so you can look the way you feel, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Cutler Peck for expert recommendations tailored to your specific needs.