Dark circles under the eyes can be among the first things other people notice about a person. Dark circles can make the other person think he or she is sick or run down from exhaustion. While these things can contribute to the dark circles, they are by no means the only causes. Developing dark circles under the eyes is not necessarily age-related. There are multiple reasons why people develop dark circles, including genetics, lack of sleep, chronic rubbing, and exposure to UV rays, including excessive pigmentation in the skin. Although there can be many causes, what is important is the realization that there are ways of treating the condition. Thanks to advancements in modern science and technology, there are many non-invasive methods and products that can diminish these dark circles, including skin booster injections, eye creams, laser treatments, and radiofrequency.
At Global Aesthetics, we have a team of skilled LCP Certified medical aesthetic specialists and doctors led by Assoc Prof Dr. Morthy, a renowned LCP Certified Aesthetic Physician and Trainer who is an expert in the field of Aesthetic Medicine. With our insignia of “For All Your Aesthetic Needs” at Global Aesthetic we aim to deliver safe, effective, and affordable procedures.
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Dark under-eye circles are typically caused by one of two issues: excess melanin or poor circulation below the eyes. Melanin gives skin its color and can cause hyperpigmentation when it appears in excessive amounts. Pigmented dark circles, also known as periorbital hyperpigmentation, can be brought on by several factors, including aging and lifestyle choices. Poor circulation under the eyes can also lead to dark circles in the area. Known as vascular dark circles, they occur when blood and lymphatic liquid are unable to circulate properly, leading to a visible build-up beneath the eyes.
To begin with, every laser treatment procedure is different from one another catering to each patient’s specific needs. Several types of lasers are used in the treatment of dark circles. A laser’s treatment applications are determined by its wavelength and pulse duration, as well as how the skin tissue absorbs it. Lasers used for dark circle treatments are classified into two broad categories: ablative and non-ablative lasers. Both types of lasers work below the surface skin, stimulating the underlying tissue, encouraging collagen production, and leaving the skin, smooth and rejuvenated.
Pulsed dye lasers (PDL)
The Pulsed Dye Laser therapy is the common laser that is used for vascular dark circles. It does so by targeting blood vessels and reducing the appearance of the skin’s discoloration. This laser targets the reticular dermis up to a depth of 1.2 mm. Vascular proliferation tends to play a key role in dark circle management. Following pulsed dye laser therapy (PDL) treatment the mast cell count or amounts of substance and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is significantly reduced. The entire program to treat dark eye circles with Laser usually requires three to five sessions depending on the severity of the condition.
Q-switched lasers
Q-switched lasers, such as Q-switched Nd: YAG, Q-switched ruby, and Q-switched alexandrite lasers are also non-ablative lasers, which can be used to treat dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation. Q-switched lasers provide effective results by focusing both light and heat to damage a precise skin area and leave the tissue in the surrounding area undamaged. Each of these lasers has got a specific wavelength. These wavelengths will target the pigment cells at a particular depth of the skin. The pigment cells will undergo a process called selective photo thermolysis and they will be fragmented. The fragmented pigment cells will then be removed by the body's natural defense system, called the macrophages. Depending on the severity of the pigmentation around the eye area, an individual may require four to six treatments.
Ablative lasers are very powerful laser that causes coagulative necrosis of the cells. They are used to cut tissue and create a bloodless surgical field. They target the water chromophore and vaporizes the cells. These are two types of ablative lasers that are used for skin resurfacing – CO2 laser and Erbium YAG laser. The CO2 laser is a powerful ablative laser at 10,600 nm wavelength. As the name goes, the Laser medium is gaseous Carbon dioxide. The Erbium YAG (Er: YAG) laser is an ablative solid-state laser, whose lasing medium is erbium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnite. Erbium YAG lasers emit light with a wavelength of 2940 nm. They are both powerful laser that denudes the epidermis via coagulative necrosis and replaces the scarred tissue with a new layer of healthier tissue.
Fractional technology is a relatively new technology that helps to reduce the downtime of ablative lasers and reduces the risk of thermal injuries, burns, and scars. Fractional resurfacing causes organized damage of tissue columns, also known as microscopic treatment zones (MTZs). Fractionated laser resurfacing procedure uses tiny beams of light that penetrate deeply into the skin. The result is hundreds of microscopic holes where skin cells have been removed, surrounded by healthy skin. The holes help break down old skin cells while stimulating new cellular growth within the deeper skin layers. However, the main volume of the epidermis and dermis remains healthy, which helps in wound healing. The surrounding healthy skin helps to quickly heal the damage done by laser therapy. Over time, the blemish appears less noticeable, and the skin appears healthier and more radiant.
Though intense pulse light is not a laser-based treatment, it is commonly used in treating pigmentation. Intense pulse light has got a unique feature where it has variable levels of wavelengths, unlike a laser which has only a single wavelength. Thanks to this property of polychromatic wavelength, intense pulse light can penetrate through different levels of the skin and treat pigmentation effectively and safely. However, please note that intense pulse light is not advisable for darker skin type patients.
Use a sunblock
As in any light-based procedures, may it be Laser Skin Rejuvenation or Intense Pulsed Light Skin Rejuvenation, it is advisable to use sunblock, preferably SPF 30 or more, and one that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Avoiding the sun for the first few days after the treatment is also good.
Use a cold compress to minimize discomfort.
Some swelling and redness are common after laser treatments. Cold compresses and ice packs can help to bring down swelling and minimize redness. They can also feel soothing to irritated skin.
Wait for makeup
The skin may appear “raw, red and rarely, swollen”. In such instances, wait for a day or two before applying makeup. Other than that, Intense Pulsed Light or Lasers are very down-to-earth and non-invasive procedures with minimum downtime. So, there shouldn’t be any problems if the procedure is done correctly.
Choosing the right doctor is crucial because any light-based procedure, may it be Laser Skin Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light Skin Treatment, can be dangerous if administered incorrectly.
A good practitioner must be aware of the principles of a Laser or Intense Pulsed Light treatment and be able to discuss the following steps with you before administering the procedure:
Which is a better aesthetic treatment – Laser Skin Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light Skin Treatment?
Which is the best laser for Dark Eye Circle and why?
What layers of the skin are affected in a Laser Skin Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light Skin Treatment?
How does a Laser Skin Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light Skin Treatment work?
What are the complications of a Laser Skin Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light Skin Treatment?
What to expect after undergoing a Laser Skin Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light Skin Treatment?
What are the precautions to take after a Laser Skin Treatment or Intense Pulsed Light Skin Treatment?
At Global Aesthetics, our team of skilled LCP Certified aesthetic medical specialists and doctors are led by Assoc Prof Dr. Morthy, a renowned LCP Certified Aesthetic Physician and Trainer. We ensure our doctors have a solid understanding of facial anatomy, dermato-cosmetics, aging skin, as well as the science behind the technologies and procedures. With an insignia of “For All Your Aesthetic Needs”, our aim is to first understand your facial features & proportions, deliver safe & effective Aesthetic procedures and restore your beauty & confidence.
At Global Aesthetics, we also offer-
Laser Skin Rejuvenation to refresh & rejuvenate your skin with our elite collection of Lasers.
Skin Booster Rejuvenation to refresh & renew your skin with our new generation of Skin Boosters.
Chemical Skin Rejuvenation to get brighter & radiant skin with our Chemical Skin Rejuvenation.
Total Facial Augmentation to enhance your features with our Signature Augmentation Procedure.
Jawline & Facial Reshaping to get a smooth & sharp “V” shaped face with a well-defined jawline.
Facial Fat Reduction to get rid of unwanted facial fat with our clinically proven treatment.
Botox, Fillers & Booster to restore a naturally youthful look with our Signature combination.
PDO & Aptos Thread-lift to restore your skin’s firmness with our PDO & Aptos Thread-lift procedure.
Tissue Regeneration to restore youthful skin with our Tissue Regenerative procedure.
Excessive Sweating our clinical treatment guarantees to reduce excessive sweating.
Cellulite & Stretch Marks to get rid of cellulite and stretch marks with our clinically proven treatment.
Tattoo Removal to remove your unwanted tattoos with our state-of-the-art Lasers.
Assoc Prof Dr. Morthy of Global Aesthetic is also an internationally renowned trainer who is currently the course director for Aesthetic Academy Asia (www.aestheticacademy.asia) - a leading private institution that provides Aesthetic Medical training for doctors, dentists, nurses, aestheticians, and spa owners. For more information about Global Aesthetics, please visit our official website.
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