Dear Dr. Seckel, I have permanent dark circles under the eyes that are hereditary. I am 34 years of age. One Doctor recommended CO2 laser treatment for under the eyes. Would you recommend this? Also, I have milia underneath my eyes. I have also heard of blepharoplasty for dark circles under the eyes. Thank you, Francis,Chicago,Il.
Dear Frances,
The eyelid rejuvenation procedure called CO2 laser resurfacing or laser peel 0f the lower eyelids will not help the dark circles under the eyes unless the problem is only pigment. Laser peel, laser skin rejuvenatiuon, IPL or photofacial are effective methods for eyelid pigment removal. Most dark circles under the eyes are caused by the attachment of the arcus marginalis, a condensation of eyelid tissue beneath the skin of the lower eyelid. Correction of dark circles under the eyes requires a plastic surgery procedure called transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty with arcus marginalis release and eyelid fat repositioning or fat grafting.
Please read the following links which cover the cause and correction of bags and dark circles under the eyes in detail:
Tear Trough or Crescent Deformity
Medical Causes of dark Circles
Removal of Bags and Dark Circles Under The Eye with No Scar
For more information on dark circles under the eyes, eyelid rejuverntion, plastic surgery and non-surgical facial rejuvenation read Save Your Face or contact me.
Thank you,
Dr Seckel
Boston, Massachusetts