Hi Dr. Seckel. I have had hereditary hollowness under my eyes that really bother me. I was wondering if there was any non-surgical method to eliminate my dark circles. I have heard that there could be some sort of injection that required little recovery time, but I could be wrong. What are the names of these surgeries that could help eliminate these circles and about how much do they cost? Thanks so much, Katherine, Arlington Heights, IL
Dear Katherine,
There is no good non-surgical facial rejuvenation or eyelid rejuvenation method method to correct dark circles under the eyes other than cover up with Cover mark® or Dermablend®-2 excellent products.
I do not do filler injections around the eyes for eyelid rejuvenation to correct the tired look or dark circles under the eyes. Some Doctors do inject fillers around the eyes and some report good results.
My fear is that if a filler such as Restylane® (or Sculptra, Hylaform, Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast, Radiesse, or other filler) is accidentally injected into one of the blood vessels that feed the retina of the eye, blindness could result. Many people would disagree with me that this is a very rare complication, but if it happens to you it would be a disaster. Blindness following fioller injection around the eyes has been reported in England.
Some doctors inject fat to correct dark circles under the eyes and hollowness of the eye. While the best doctors show good results, many times there are complications including lumps and blindness has been reported.
The problem with these non-surgical eyelid rejuvenation techniques is that they are blind procedures, which means the doctor cannot see exactly where the needle is going-very dangerous in my opinion. I do not do these blind procedures around the eye at this time.
I correct hollow eyes and dark circles under the eyes through a small incision on the inside of the eyelid called a transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty incision. I place fat I have taken from the abdomen or hip into the hollow under the eye under direct vision-I can see exactly where to place the fat where it is needed.
This is a much safer way to correct hollow eyes or dark circles and bags under the eyes. It is safer because it is more accurate and more importantly, I can see all of the vital structures in the eyelid which must not be injured during this procedure.
This is a delicate operation, which requires a highly trained, skilled, experienced surgeon who is board certified in Plastic Surgery or an Occuloplastic Surgeon who is board certified in Ophthamology and has additional training in Occuloplastic Surgery.
The operation is called a transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty with arcus marginalis release and fat grafting. I do this procedure with a laser because there is less bleeding, less bruising, and quicker recovery. There is no visible scar after surgery. The operation takes about 45 minutes.
Thank you for your question.
For more information on dark circles under the eyes, hollow eyes, and non-surgical facial rejuvenation read Save Your Face or contact me.
Boston, Massachusetts