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.
Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
Dark circles under the eyes are common, but the visible darkness is often mistaken for a single problem. The shadow or discoloration you see may come from multiple sources: a hollow tear trough casting a shadow, thin skin making vessels visible, or true pigmentation. Treatment works best when it’s matched to the cause.
Not sure which treatment fits? Book a consultation and get a plan for your skin
Our Approach
Dr. Borakowski individually evaluates the under-eye area to tell apart structural hollowing, skin texture and thickness, vascular show, and pigmentary changes, then plans treatment precisely around what she finds. The dominant driver determines whether treatment should prioritize filler, regenerative therapy, or adjunctive care.
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 (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 Tear Trough
For patients whose dark circles are driven more by thin skin and vascular show than by a deep hollow, PRP tear trough treatment 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 tear trough
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 and PRP tear trough treatment 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 clear pricing specific to your anatomical findings at your Scottsdale consultation.
Ready to talk it through? Book a consultation and we will look at your goals, explain your options and give you a clear plan and price.