Dark Eye Circles Treatment Singapore
Dark circles have three different causes and they look similar from the outside. One is pigment. One is blood vessels showing through thin skin. One is a shadow cast by hollowing under the eye.
They are treated completely differently. Filler does nothing for pigment. Brightening creams do nothing for a shadow.
Dr Ang Sue-May works out which one you have, or which combination, before treating anything.
Which Type of Dark Circle Do You Have?
Vascular
A bluish or purplish discolouration caused by the visibility of blood vessels beneath the thin periorbital skin. This type is more pronounced with fatigue and in patients with naturally thin skin.
Pigmented
Brown or greyish tones resulting from melanin deposition in the periorbital skin, often exacerbated by sun exposure, post-inflammatory change, or genetic predisposition.
Structural
A shadow effect caused by volume loss in the tear trough area, creating a hollow that deepens as light falls across the lower eyelid. This type does not respond to treatments targeting pigment or vascularity.
Mixed
Most people have more than one cause at the same time, which is why single treatments give partial results. The plan usually addresses two of the three.
How Each Type Is Treated
Salmon DNA Eyes Treatment
A specialised periorbital treatment that supports hydration, skin quality, and microcirculation in the delicate under-eye area.
Tear Trough Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Carefully placed filler in the tear trough restores volume to the hollow beneath the eye, reducing the structural shadow effect. Requires precise technique given the sensitivity of the periorbital anatomy.
Chemical Peels
Targeted peels can help address pigmented dark circles by promoting cell turnover and gradually lightening discolouration.
Yellow light laser (585nm)
Addresses vascular dark circles by targeting haemoglobin within superficial vessels beneath the periorbital skin, reducing the bluish discolouration over a series of sessions.
Radiofrequency Microneedling
Improves periorbital skin quality, thickness, and firmness over time, reducing the visibility of underlying vasculature and improving overall appearance.
What to Expect at Skincodes
Dr Ang will assess the type and likely cause of your dark eye circles before recommending treatment. In many cases, a combination of approaches is most effective. Periorbital treatments require particular care and experience; Dr Ang will guide you through what to expect at each stage.
Structural hollowing
Improves fastest, often visibly after one session.
Pigmented circles
Fade gradually across a course and need sun protection to hold the result.
Vascular circles
Improve with skin quality rather than disappearing, because the vessels are still there.
Related at Skincodes
Common Questions About Dark Circles
Will sleeping more fix my dark circles?
It helps the vascular type look less pronounced, since tiredness makes vessels more visible. It does nothing for pigment or for hollowing, which are structural and stay whatever your sleep is like.
Do eye creams work?
For mild pigmented circles, some help over months. For vascular or structural circles they make very little difference.
How do I know which type I have?
A rough guide: stretch the skin gently. If the darkness fades, it is more likely vascular. If it stays, more likely pigment. If it deepens when light comes from above, more likely structural. An assessment confirms it properly.
Is tear trough filler permanent?
No. Hyaluronic acid filler is broken down over time and needs repeating. It can also be dissolved if the result is not what you wanted.
Are dark circles genetic?
Often, yes. Thin periorbital skin, deep-set eyes and a tendency to periorbital pigmentation all run in families, and all three are common in Asian skin.
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