What are dark eye circles?

Dark eye circles are darkened areas of skin under your eyes that look shadowy or discoloured. Depending on your skin tone and the underlying causes, these circles can vary in colour from blue and purple to dark brown. They can make you look tired, older, or unhealthy and are a common cosmetic concern for people of all ages. 

What causes dark eye circles?

There are several possible causes of dark eye circles, including:

• Thinning skin: resulting in increased visibility of blood vessels, thus casting a darker appearance. 
• Hyperpigmentation: excess melanin production that darkens the skin around the eyes – potentially due to excessive sun exposure.
• Vascular changes: dilated blood vessels and poor circulation leading to blood pooling around the eyes. 
• Inflammation and swelling: can result from allergies or nasal congestion.
• Fluid retention: puffy eyes casting shadows.

Who is at risk of dark eye circles in Singapore?

In Singapore, certain groups are more at risk of developing dark eye circles due to genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Here are the groups most at risk:

• Age-related facial volume loss: leading to a ‘sunken’ undereye with shadowing.
• Family history: if you have a genetic predisposition to dark eye circles, you're more likely to develop them regardless of other factors.
• Students and professionals: high levels of academic and work-related stress, along with long hours, can lead to insufficient sleep and increased stress, contributing to dark eye circles.
• Underlying health conditions: allergies and sinusitis are common in Singapore due to the humid climate and the prevalence of dust mites and pollen, leading to nasal congestion and, subsequently, dark circles.
• Outdoor workers: spending a lot of time in the sun without proper UV protection can increase the likelihood of developing dark circles.
• Ageing population: older individuals naturally lose collagen and skin elasticity, making blood vessels more visible and leading to dark circles.
• Tech-heavy users: spending long hours on digital devices (computers, smartphones, tablets) can cause eye strain, leading to dark circles.
• Unhealthy lifestyle adopters: poor dietary habits, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect blood circulation and skin health, making dark circles more likely.
• Individuals with poor hydration: not drinking enough water, especially in Singapore's hot and humid climate, can result in dull and sunken skin, accentuating dark circles.
• Shift workers: irregular hours or night shifts can disrupt sleep patterns, contributing to dark circles.

What are the treatment options for Dark Eye Circle in Singapore?

Treatment for dark eye circles in Singapore can vary based on the underlying cause and severity. Options in Bay Clinic include: 

• Topical treatments: home care for daily maintenance 
• Eye creams such as Skinceuticals A.G.E Eye Complex reduce the appearance of crow’s feet lines and improve the look of puffiness and dark circles. Additionally, they restore moisture to dry skin, instantly enhancing radiance around the eyes across all skin tones. In an 8-week study, subjects reported an 18-24% improvement in dark eye circles, wrinkles, and puffiness.

• Injectables: in-clinic treatments
  • Rejuran-i (Eye): improves skin quality and addresses undereye volume loss. Rejuran is a polynucleotide (PN) treatment (link to treatment page) that increases collagen production and improves skin quality in the under-eye area. Harnessing the regenerative power of Polynucleotides (PN) to enhance the quality of skin and elasticity, Rejuran-i (Eye) is specifically formulated for use in the delicate undereye region. Three to four treatments of Rejuran-i (Eye) a month apart help to reduce the appearance of dark eye circles, fine lines and crows feet, with results lasting for 9-12 months.  
  • Teosyal Redensity 1: this injectable skinbooster (link to treatment page) contains a combination of hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids that hydrate and nourish the skin of the undereye area, reducing the appearance of fine lines and dull skin while lightening skin tone. Three to four treatments of Redensity 1 skinbooster a month apart help restore hydration, glow and radiance to the undereye area, lasting for 9-12 months.
• Undereye fillers: for dark eye circles caused by undereye volume loss (due to ageing or weight loss), hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Juvederm Volbella (link to filler page) provide an effective solution. They improve the hollows and shadows and give a subtle lift. Results are visible immediately from a single treatment lasting 9-12 months.

• Energy-based devices and laser treatments:
• Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling: such as the Secret DUO (link to treatment page), involves using fine gold-tipped needles emitting RF energy to stimulate collagen production and improve skin thickness and elasticity around the eyes. This consequently lifts and firms the eyelid skin and reduces fine lines around the eyes. This treatment is useful for patients with signs of ageing on the upper and lower eyelids, addressing droopy upper eyelids, crows feet/fine lines, eye bags, and dark eye circles. Apart from rejuvenating the eye area, the treatment area also targets the entire face, providing effective skin tightening and face lifting. Three to four treatments of Secret DUO (2-in-1 RF microneedling + fractional laser) a month apart offer visible results in two to three months, with results lasting up to two years.
• Laser treatments: such as PicoSure Laser (link to treatment page), can be effective treatment options to target undereye pigmentation and improve skin texture by stimulating collagen production. This is the recommended treatment for patients with excess pigmentation contributing to the appearance of dark eye circles. The PicoSure Laser uses lightning-quick laser pulses to remove epidermal and dermal pigmentation, resulting in clearer skin and a lighter skin tone. The treatment area includes the undereye area and the entire face. Four to five treatments of PicoSure laser a month apart provide visible results in two to three months, with results lasting up to two years.

Dark Eye Circles treatment by Dr. Hoe

Given the various causes of dark eye circles and the variety of possible treatment options, patients often feel confused about the most ideal option. The truth is that no two patient’s conditions are the same, and the treatment plan needs to be tailored. To achieve optimal results for her patients, Dr. Hoe often utilises a combination of in-clinic laser, energy-based devices, and injectibles supplemented by home care with eye creams, lifestyle adjustments, and allergen avoidance. All patients undergo a detailed consultation and physical assessment before a personalised treatment plan is recommended.