Lidlift Kenneth D. Steinsapir, M.D.
Cosmetic, Facial & Eye Plastic Surgery

Dark circles

The discoloration that develops under the eyes. These are sometimes referred to as allergic shiners. Pigmentation can contribute to the dark circles. However, generally the dark circles are the result of several optical phenomena. First, there is shadowing from the brow rims. Secondly, the lower eyelid possess almost no subcutaneous fat. Fat is yellow and acts like a reflect for light that penetrates through the skin. In the cheek adjacent to the lower eyelid this reflected light from the cheek fat makes the skin of the cheek look lighter relative to the lower eyelid skin. In the lower eyelid with no subcutaneous fat, light passes through the skin and is absorbed by the dark red under lying orbicularis oculi muscle. The light is not available to be reflected back into the skin and therefore this skin looks darker compared to adjacent cheek tissue. Filling in the dark circle with Restylane® fills out this area and reduces the appearance of the dark circle.