CE: Why do we get dark circles under our eyes?
JE: Aside from heredity, there are four basic reasons for dark circles.
Number 1: Nasal allergies with pooling of venous blood beneath the thinner skin of the lower eyelid. Venous blood is much darker than arterial blood and its present in larger quantities from the allergies is reflected as such.
Number 2: Pseudoherniated lower eyelid fat. This produces a fullness that when struck by light can cast a shadow beneath it. This is exacerbated by a “dent” along the orbital rim from where the soft tissue of the rim has descended into the cheek area. These topographical undulations and their shadows are the major reason for lower eyelid darkness.
Number 3: Darkness of the skin itself from photo damage from the sun or an increase melanin depositon within the skin secondary to increased hormonal activity.
Number 4: Hollowness of the lower eyelid area from previous surgery or significant weight loss. This gaunt appearance can produce an aged look. The surgical correction of these issues may require a lower eyelid blepharoplasty with the incision tucked inside the lower eyelid without visible scars, with or without the placement of fat along the orbital rim to fill in the lower eyelid hollowness. A chemical peel of a certain depth can tighten the lower eyelid crinkles without the removal of loose skin from the lower eyelid. These procedures can be performed in the office surgical suite in under thirty minutes under the anesthesia of your choice.
- Eyes Before
- Eyes After
Posted by Chevis English under plastic surgery and doctor’s notes. You can follow me on Twitter @chevis or @FaceDoctorette. Images were taken from the web site of English Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center Surgi-Spa.
