Everything You Need to Know About Under Eye Bags and Dark Circles Surgery

What is Dark Circles Surgery?

There are numerous procedures used to get rid of dark circles. The exact surgery that your doctors recommend will depend on what caused your dark circles to appear in the first place. For instance, if the dark circles under your eyes are caused by hyperpigmentation your doctor may prescribe one of a variety of topical or surgical treatements:

  • Topical bleaching cream
  • Chemical peels
  • Laser resurfacing treatment
  • Intense-pulsed light treatment
  • Professional Microdermabrasion

Are these Treatments Painful?

With many of these treatments, there is a good chance you will experience acute pain during the procedure and lingering aches afterward while your body heals itself. This is especially true for laser resurfacing, chemical peels and intense-pulsed light treatments. In some cases, doctors will prescribe prescriptions-strength painkillers to help you cope with the brunt of the after-effects. On the other hand, certain bleaching creams might not give you any pain at all if they are made with a gentle formula and natural ingredients.

What are the risks associated with dark circle surgery?

As with any surgery, there are risks. The most common risk associated with dark circle surgery is a discoloration of the skin either in the form of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. In laymen’s terms; this means that the skin is made too dark or too light, and, in rare cases, the resulting discoloration may be permanent. Less common side effects of dark circle surgery can include bleeding, blistering, bruising, scarring, or serious infection.

Will the after result become permanent?

This depends on several different factors the most important of which are your post-surgery habits. If your dark circles were originally caused by excessive sun exposure or certain medications, your dark under-eye circles may return and become even more darker than before. If you do not take measures to limit your exposure to ultraviolet light or discontinue the medication that caused the problem in the first place. You may have to continue to apply bleaching cream as time goes on to keep your dark circles from returning.

What are my Surgery Options?

  • For patients suffering from darker pigmentation under the eye an under eye cream with hydroquinone may gradually work over time, depending on the amount of the dark pigmentation. The cream will slowly whiten the area, skin bleaching, over a period of usually eight months. For those with larger amounts of the dark pigmentation, a licensed dermatologist can perform ablative laser resurfacing which uses a lower wave length setting resulting in a smoother and lighter under eye area.
  • Eyelid Surgery is another possible surgical option that may be recommended by a physician. This procedure helps to correct the dark under eye circles that are caused from shadows created by large bags underneath the eye. There are two different types of the surgery, one removes the excess fat from inside the eyelid, while the other procedure removes not only the excess fat but also the skin that is left behind. A subtle tightening of the muscles is also done as well. the second method is the most commonly practiced and does seem to give better results.