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Dark circles

Dark circles are dark shadows or discoloration that appear under the eyes. They can make a person look tired or older and can be caused by a variety of factors such as genetics, aging, lack of sleep, or skin thinning. Dark circles can be treated with various cosmetic procedures such as injections, laser therapy, or topical creams.

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Why Dark Circles Have Multiple Causes

The under-eye area is anatomically complex. A hollowed tear trough creates a shadow that appears dark regardless of skin pigmentation. Thin, translucent lower eyelid skin makes the orbicularis oculi muscle and underlying vessels visible as a bluish or purplish hue. True melanin pigmentation from sun exposure, genetics, or post-inflammatory changes creates brown discoloration. Many patients have two or three of these factors at once.

Getting the cause right matters more here than in most aesthetic concerns, because a filler treatment on a pigment-dominant presentation won’t work, and a brightening-focused treatment on a hollow-driven shadow won’t either. For a deeper look at the causes behind dark circles, see our guide to dark circle types and treatment. If your concern is more about puffiness than discoloration, see Eye Bags.

Treatment Options for Dark Circles Under Eyes

The most effective treatments address the dominant cause. When the dark appearance is structural — from hollowing and shadow — volume restoration is the priority. When thin skin or vascular show is the main issue, regenerative treatment is a better first step than filler. Most patients benefit from a layered approach once the primary driver is identified.

Tear Trough Filler

When the darkness under your eyes is primarily a shadow from a hollowed tear trough — visible as a concave groove between the lower eyelid and cheek — tear trough filler is the most direct solution. Precisely placed hyaluronic acid fills the hollow, reducing the shadow that creates the dark circle appearance. Results are immediate and are typically the most dramatic single intervention available for structural dark circles. Learn more about Tear Trough Filler →

PRP Biofiller

For patients whose dark circles are driven more by thin skin and vascular show than by a deep hollow, PRP Biofiller is a better fit than tear trough filler alone—especially when an autologous option is preferred or synthetic fillers were not well tolerated. Learn more about PRP Biofiller →

LumEnvy PDRN (Salmon DNA Facial)

When dark circles persist even after volume correction — often because the underlying skin is so thin that vessels remain visible regardless — … LumEnvy PDRN specifically improves lower eyelid skin integrity in cases where persistent vascular show remains after adding volume or PRP—offering a complementary option when single modalities fall short. Learn more about LumEnvy PDRN →

PDO Thread Lift

When dark circles are deepened by mid-face descent — the cheek fat pad dropping and pulling the tear trough groove deeper — a mid-face thread lift addresses the anatomical cause rather than just the shadow. Repositioning descended tissue reduces trough depth passively, without adding volume. This is not a first-line discussion; it becomes relevant only after volume loss and skin quality have been addressed and mid-face descent still remains a driver. Learn more about PDO Thread Lift →

Dark circles that include elements of puffiness or lower lid laxity may overlap with eye bag concerns — see our Eye Bags page for those presentations. Sun protection and topical brightening actives (vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol) support and extend clinical results between treatments.

Am I a Good Candidate for Dark Circle Treatment?

If dark circles make you look tired, older, or more unwell than you feel — regardless of how much sleep you get — treatment can restore a refreshed, well-rested under-eye appearance. The most important step is identifying which component is dominant in your case. During your consultation, Dr. Borakowski will assess tear trough depth, skin quality, pigmentation, and mid-face structure to recommend the right approach for your specific presentation.

How Much Does Dark Circle Treatment Cost?

Pricing depends on which treatment or combination is appropriate for your presentation. Tear trough filler, PRP Biofiller, and LumEnvy PDRN have different investment levels, and some patients benefit from a phased plan addressing multiple components over time. Dr. Borakowski will outline a stepwise plan and transparent pricing specific to your anatomical findings at your Scottsdale consultation.