I have gathered some material on several kinds of medical options
available for treating dark undereye circles. Please keep in mind that
Google Answers is not an authoritative source of medical advice. The
excerpts that I've posted below are intended for informational
purposes, and should not be viewed as a diagnosis nor as a substitute
for the services of a qualified physician or other medical
professional.
"Fat transplantation has become a popular method of dealing with
recalcitrant dark circles, mainly when puffiness is not an issue. Fat
is removed from the hip, thigh or buttock through a syringe or
liposuction cannula from locally anesthetized skin, rinsed and then
injected under the skin into the hollow.
Added fat instantly plumps up skin and neutralizes shadows. It also
helps reduce visibility of veins that peek out from beneath the
surface. Fat transplantation is typically performed by plastic
surgeons, and sometimes by dermatologists. It isn?t a permanent
solution and you may need to undergo more than one treatment in order
to see results but it may be worthwhile.
In rare instances, it is the presence of the veins themselves that are
the real culprit. For these large noticeable blood vessels, consult a
plastic surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery or an
ophthalmologist specializing in plastic surgery procedures of the eye.
In these cases fat transplantation and vein stripping may need to be
performed."
Dermadoctor: Dark Circles
http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/Newsletter89.asp?WID=%7B9D1472D9-AA68-4D74-8E71-FAEE944BFDAD%7D
"What procedures can be done for dark circles under the eyes?
Dark circles can be improved by chemical peel and by some eyelid
surgery procedures if done in a special way, or a combination of
both... There are basically three possible combination of components
to black circles. One is pigment which can readily be remove with the
use of pigment removing lasers. The second, is true bags which require
blepharoplasty for treatment. The third is the presence of an actual
skeletal groove (nasojugal groove) which some people have at the inner
corner of the eye and extending down the medial (inner side) of the
cheek proper. This can be filled with either your own tissue (fat) or
an implant. I would suggest that you visit with a cosmetic plastic
surgeon in order to see which components need to be addressed to
correct your problem."
LocateADoc: Questions & Answers: Blepharoplasty
http://www.locateadoc.com/articles.cfm/1443/1190
"Despite the frequency with which it occurs, little has been written
in the scientific literature on the treatment of infraorbital dark
circles. I have developed a technique that simultaneously treats the 2
contributing causes of these circles: hyperpigmentation of skin and
pseudoherniation of orbital fat. The technique involves simultaneous
transconjunctival blepharoplasty and deep-depth phenol chemical peel.
Successful outcomes have been obtained in patients with Fitzpatrick
classification skin types 1 to 5, with a low incidence of
complications. Adequate preoperative counseling regarding prolonged
erythema and careful postoperative monitoring with, if necessary,
medical intervention are essential if both surgeon and patient are to
be satisfied with the outcomes."
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery: Management of Infraorbital Dark Circles
http://archfaci.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/extract/1/4/303
"As a person ages the skin covering your eyelids thins out, which may
cause the blood vessels to become more apparent. This gives the lower
eyelids a darker appearance. It's also possible that thin eyelids can
be inherited. Dark eyelids can also be caused from swelling in your
lower eyelids. When you're lying down, gravity causes fluid to collect
in your lower eyelids, which may create shadows below your eyes.
Dark Circles Under the Eyes are treated using Photorejuvenation, Laser
Resurfacing, or utilization of a vascular laser. There can be one to
multiple treatments for this condition in order to optimize results."
"Chronic and severe dark circles under the eyes may be due to several
factors. These include:
-Increased skin pigment (melanin)
-Dilated blood vessels
-Excess skin folds in the eyelids
Treatment for chronic and severe dark circles depends on the cause but may include:
-Bleaching agents or pigment-specific lasers for pigment changes
-Vascular-specific lasers for dilated blood vessels
-Lasers or excision for excess skin folds"
Ohio Health: Dark circles: What causes them?
http://www.ohiohealth.com/healthreference/reference/A66AF680-3D65-4036-BAA1DC3B4AD3BE9D.htm?category=questions
Midwest Dermatologic Laser and Vein Centre: Dark Circles Under Eyes
http://www.drkovaklaser.com/8223574a-0f88-482f-921d-33edbb8ca398.cms
"Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology is a treatment break-through
that can correct a variety of benign skin conditions, such as facial
skin imperfections, the signs of photo-agingsuch as age spots, mottled
pigmentation, birthmarks, unwanted hair, unsightly small veins, and
other blemishes. It offers a safe, non-invasive solution that can be
tailored to your individual condition and skin type, providing
superior cosmetic results through a new process called
photorejuvenation. There is dramatic improvement, little risk and no
'down time.'
A cold gel is usually applied to the area to be treated, and you may
be given dark glasses to protect your eyes from the bright light. The
smooth glass surface of the IPL handpiece is gently applied to your
skin and pulses of light are applied. You may feel a slight sting,
like the snapping of a small rubber band. An anaesthetic cream may be
used but is seldom required. Treatment is generally administered in a
series of 4 to 6 sessions that provide excellent long-term results
with minimal adverse effects. Each treatment takes about twenty
minutes...
While dark circles under the eyes are extremely difficult to treat
effectively, IPL (sometimes in conjunction with eyelid surgery) may
improve this condition which gives a tired appearance."
The Maas Clinic: Pulse Light
http://www.drmaas.com/products_tech/pulse_light.html
"In the mid 1990's, a Palo Alto, California company pioneered the
process of laser skin resurfacing by developing the first laser used
for this purpose, the Ultrapulse CO2 laser. Although this laser was
initially intended to remove sun damage and pre-cancerous growths of
the skin, the inventors were happily surprised that it also reduced or
eliminated dark circles under the eyes in addition to wrinkles and
scars.
Laser skin resurfacing has significantly advanced the treatment of
wrinkled and scarred skin, as well as dark circles under the eyes. Our
center has tried many other lasers to reduce such dark coloration,
including both the Ruby and Nd:YAG lasers. We have discovered that the
Ultrapulse laser has served us the best when treating this disturbing
problem."
Berman Skin Institute: Dark Under Eye Circles
http://www.bermanmd.com/procedures/face/eyecircles.asp?sec=1
"BACKGROUND. The presence of infraobital dark skin, often known as
dark circles under the eyes, is a frequent cosmetic concern. There has
been little reported on therapy of this condition. One group of
patients was determined to have dermal melanin deposition, which we
treated with a Q-switched ruby laser. OBJECTIVE. Our study evaluated
the clinical and histological appearance of infraobital skin pigment
in 17 patients with dermal melanin deposition treated with a
Q-switched ruby laser. METHODS. Seventeen patients with melanin
deposition were treated with the Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm) with a
pulse width of 28 nanoseconds and fluences of 7.5 J/cm2. Response to
treatment was assessed by an independent investigator with patient and
photograph evaluation. Skin Biopsies were obtained in nine of the 17
patients. RESULTS. Of those patients treated with one Q-switched ruby
session, 23.5% achieved a greater than 50% response. Of those treated
twice, 88.9% achieved greater than 50% response. In postreatment skin
biopsies there was reduction of dermal melanin deposition.
CONCLUSIONS. Patients with infraobital pigmented skin due to dermal
melanin deposition may be considered candidates for Q-switched Ruby
laser treatment."
PubMed: Infraorbital pigmented skin. Preliminary observations of laser therapy.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7655794
"Dark circles often appear as we get older, and some people appear
more prone to them than others. We know that such circles are not the
result of sun exposure or an effect of tanning. Scientists have not
yet determined what causes them to appear.
However, there are a few treatments dermatologists use to decrease
these dark circles. Unfortunately, none of these therapies provides
the perfect answer.
One treatment you may want to try is hydroquinone, a brown
spot-removing gel. It can be purchased from a dermatologist and is
simple to apply. Because hydroquinone can irritate the skin, you must
follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Medications to lighten
the skin must be use for several months before their effect is
noticeable.
Dark circles can be lightened through the application of bleaching
creams. Unfortunately, these creams are not usually very effective.
Laser treatment is the latest method for reducing the prominence of
dark circles. In several studies, Alexandrite and Neodymium:YAG lasers
were found to reduce dark circles under the eyes significantly. A
temporary bruising and swelling around the eyes may appear as a side
effect of laser treatment."
Personal Surgeon: Treating Baggy Eyes and Dark Circles
http://www.personalsurgeon.com/library/baggyeyes.asp
"If you're plagued by chronic dark circles, talk with a dermatologist
about more aggressive options. For patients with excessive
pigmentation, cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Susan Van Dyke of Van Dyke
Laser & Skin Care prescribes lightening creams, chemical peels or
laser resurfacing, depending on the severity. Lightening agents, such
as hydroquinone and kojic acid, work gradually by training under-eye
cells to produce less pigment. Non-prescription strength lighteners
are available but can take two to three months to effect a noticeable
improvement. Chemical peels and laser resurfacing remove layers of
damaged skin and help to make pigmentation less visible. Each option
comes with cautions, and Dr. Van Dyke suggests a visit to a
dermatologist to determine the best approach for your skin."
AZcentral: Combating dark eye circles
http://www.azcentral.com/style/articles/0702darkcircles.html
Other good reference sources:
Facial Plastic Surgery: Dark Undereye Circles
http://www.facialplasticsurgery.net/dark_undereye_circles.htm
Meronk Eyelid Plastic Surgery: Dark Cicles Under Eyes
http://www.drmeronk.com/blephnews/darkcircles.html
New Asia Woman: Get Rid Of Baggage
http://www.newasiawoman.com.sg/beauty/beauty_031029a.shtml
My Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: "circles under * eyes" "plastic surgery OR surgeon"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=%22circles+under+*+eyes%22+%22plastic+surgery+OR+surgeon%22
Google Web Search: photorejuvenation circles eyes
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=photorejuvenation+circles+eyes
I hope this is useful. If anything is unclear, or if a link does not
function, please request clarification; I'll be glad to offer further
assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
