Dark Circle Treatment in Bangalore
Medically reviewed by Dr Nithya Raghunath, MD (Dermatology)
Dark circles have different causes: hollowing under the eyes, puffy eye bags, extra pigment, thin skin, or allergies. The right treatment depends on the cause. At Contura Clinic, Bangalore, dermatologist Dr Nithya Raghunath treats pigment and skin quality with peels, lasers and PRP. Plastic surgeon Dr Sreekar Harinatha treats hollows with tear trough fillers or fat grafting, and eye bags with lower eyelid surgery. Dr Nithya has spoken on dark circle treatment at the IMCAS World Congress in Paris.
What causes my dark circles, and how are they treated?
| Cause | What it looks like | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Hollowing (tear trough) | A shadowed groove under the eye, often with age | Hyaluronic acid tear trough filler, or fat grafting |
| Puffy eye bags | Bulging fat under the eyes | Lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), with fat repositioning |
| Extra pigment | Brown or dark skin under the eyes, often genetic or from medicines | Skin brighteners, peels, Q-switched laser, vitamin C serum |
| Thin skin | Blue or purple tint from vessels showing through | PRP, CO2 laser, skin quality treatments |
| Allergies or rosacea | Puffiness and discolouration that come and go | Treat the allergy or rosacea first |
| Cheek volume loss | Flat cheeks that deepen the under-eye groove | Fat grafting or cheek fillers |
Many people have more than one cause, so a combined plan works best.
Tear trough fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers are our preferred filler for the under-eye area, because results are predictable and reversible. The treatment can take as little as 30 minutes with numbing cream, and you go home straight after. Swelling usually starts that evening or the next day and improves within several days. A blunt-tipped cannula is used to reduce bruising.
Lower eyelid surgery for eye bags
- Scarless (transconjunctival) approach: a cut inside the lower eyelid removes or repositions fat, with no visible scar.
- External (transcutaneous) approach: a fine cut just below the lashes, used when extra skin also needs removing.
Fat repositioning smooths the groove between the eyelid and cheek.
Treatments for pigmented dark circles
- Professional skin brightening creams. Hydroquinone is used only for short periods.
- Chemical peels for mild pigment, fine lines and slightly loose skin
- Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and CO2 laser
- Vitamin C serum and PRP
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treatment for dark circles?
It depends on the cause. Hollows respond to fillers or fat grafting, eye bags to eyelid surgery, and pigment to peels, lasers and creams. A consultation identifies your cause.
How long do tear trough fillers last?
Results usually last many months. Because hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved, they are a safe, adjustable choice for the under-eye area.
Can dark circles be removed permanently?
Surgery for eye bags gives long-lasting results. Pigment and hollowing can be greatly improved, but they may need maintenance as you age.
Related pages: Eyelid surgery · Fillers · Peels · Fat grafting
About the doctors
Dr Sreekar Harinatha, MBBS, MS, MCh (Plastic Surgery, CMC Vellore), DNB (Plastic Surgery). Karnataka Medical Council Reg. No. 68989. Plastic and cosmetic surgeon at Contura Clinic, Kalyan Nagar. Best Paper Award at the IMCAS conference, Taipei, 2016, for his gynecomastia technique. Author of The Male Breast and over 40 papers in indexed journals. Member of IAAPS, IMA and the European College of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery.
Dr Nithya Raghunath, MBBS, MD (Dermatology), Fellowship in Cosmetology (University of Greifswald, Germany). Karnataka Medical Council Reg. No. 85629. Dermatologist and cosmetologist at Contura Clinic, with a special interest in lasers and aesthetic dermatology. Has spoken at the IMCAS Congress, Paris, on dark circle treatment. Member of IADVL, the Cosmetic Dermatology Society of India and the Bangalore Dermatological Society.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person. Every procedure carries risks, which your surgeon will explain at your consultation.
