Dark circles around the eyes have a variety of causes, from excess pigment to veins to too-prominent tear troughs, and treatment can vary by cause.
Typical costs:
Over-the-counter treatments for dark eye circles typically cost less than $100. For example, Clinique All About Eyes costs about $30, and Shisheido White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment[1] costs about $50.
Injection of dermal fillers, such as Juvederm[2] or Restylane[3] , which can be used to treat dark circles resulting from thinning, aging skin or a too-prominent tear trough, typically cost $500 to $1,000. For example, Dermacare Medical[4] in New York charges about $1,000, as does Westside Aesthetics[5] in Los Angeles.
Intense pulsed light or laser treatment for dark circles typically costs $300 to $600 per treatment, with at least three treatments needed, for a total of $900 to $1,800 or more. For example, Cascade Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery[6] in Washington charges $250 to $400 per treatment for IPL on the face.
Surgical treatment for dark circles, which probably would involve an arcus marginalis release (moving fat) combined with fat grafting, typically costs $2,000 to $5,000 for the surgery and $3,000 for the fat grafting, for a total of $5,000 to $8,000, according to Seattle facial plastic surgeon Philip Young, M.D.[7] .
Treatment of dark eye circles typically would be considered a cosmetic procedure and would not be covered by health insurance.
For at-home treatment, a cream or serum is usually applied to the eye area daily. Creams designed to treat dark circles often contain skin lighteners, vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin K and moisturizers that plump up the eye area.
For fillers, the doctor would apply a topical anesthetic, and then inject the dermal filler into the under-eye area. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and the patient typically can resume normal activities immediately. Results usually last about six months to a year. However, this treatment does not work for all patients and can, in some cases, make the problem worse, as noted by doctors at RealSelf.com[8] .
For intense pulsed light therapy, the doctor typically does not use any anesthesia, but applies a gel to the under eye area and uses a hand-held device to apply pulses of light, targeted to shrink blood vessels causing dark circles under the eyes.
For arcus marginalis release with fat grafting, the patient typically is placed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision and releases the structure that connects the lower eyelid to the eye socket bone. The surgeon then places fat, which has been harvested from another location on the patient's body, over the bone under the eye. The operation takes about an hour and a half, and recovery takes two to three weeks. Massachusetts plastic surgeon Brooke Seckel provides an overview[9] .
FacialPlasticSurgery.net[10] offers an overview of causes of and treatments for dark circles.
Additional costs:
If dermal filler injection is chosen as a treatment, the procedure will need to be redone approximately every six to 12 months at the same cost as the initial treatment.
With IPL, a maintenance treatment might be needed after six months to a year.
Discounts:
Many dermatologists and plastic surgeons offer discounts for the purchase of a package of laser treatments or injections. For example, Recharge Medical and Day Spa[11] in California charges $250 for one under-eye laser revitalization treatment and a package of four treatments for $600. And Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists P.C.[12] in New York sometimes offer specials fillers, such as $50 off each syringe of Restylane when two or more syringes are used.
Shopping for treatment for dark circles under eyes:
Online retailers, including Amazon[13] , Sephora[14] and DrugStore.com[15] offer a variety of creams and serums for dark circles. Dermatologists debate the effectiveness of over-the-counter eye creams for dark circles, but some consumers give them positive reviews. ConsumerSearch.com[16] has a report on creams that perform well in reviews.
Dark eye circles also can be evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist or board-certified plastic surgeon, who can recommend a treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology[17] offers a directory of board-certified dermatologists. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons[18] and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery[19] offer referral services.
A doctor should provide detailed information on the risks of any treatment being considered. In general, risks of creams can include irritation and dissatisfaction with results. Risks of injectable fillers can include redness, irritation, bruising, swelling and infection. Risks of IPL or laser treatment can include dissatisfaction with results, scarring and burns.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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