Blog
Dr. Brooke R. Seckel
Dark circles under the eyes. Notice the depression underneath the lower eyelid caused by the attachment of the skin to the bone underneath and the overhang of loose skin above creating a shadow in the dark circle
Dark circles under eyes are the second most common concern that people have about facial aging, second only to skin wrinkles. Many people seek advice on how to remove dark circles under eyes. Dark circles under eyes are caused by the attachment of the skin beneath the lower eyelid to the underlying bone of the eye socket by a structure called the arcus marginalis. As the lower eyelid skin ages above this depression it becomes loose, eyelid fat pushes out on the eyelid and an eye bag is formed. This eye bag creates a dark shadow in the depressed attached skin below the eyelid, called the dark circles under eyes.
A laser incision is made on the inside of the lower eyelid to avoid a visible eyelid scar
A small transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty incision is made on the inside of the eyelid so that there is no visible scar on the outside. The arcus marginalis which is holding the dark circles tight to the bone is released from the bone to remove the depression that is causing the dark circles under eyes. A small piece of fat is custom carved to a shape and size that will plump the dark circle depression. No fat is injected. I never use fat injection in the eyelid as most of the injected fat dissolves and can cause lumps!
The actual laser transconjunctival blepharoplasty incision is made in preparation for removal of dark circles under the eyes. Notice the incision is bloodless
The dark circle removal surgery using the transconjunctival blepharoplasty with a fat graft takes only 30-45 minutes. I use general anesthesia so that you are asleep and not aware of the procedure being done on your eyes.
A custom sculpted whole piece of fat is prepared to place underneath the dark circle to remove dark circles under the eyes
The fat graft is placed into the lower eyelid to plump the depression causing the dark circles under the eyes and remove the dark circles under the eyes
Before and after removal of dark circles under the eyes with transconjunctival blepharoplasty with arcus marginalis release and fat grafting in a young person
There is no pain during recovery. I use frequent eye drops for comfort and to avoid the eye becoming dry. Because of the drops and ointment, it may be difficult to read or use a computer the first 2-3 days after surgery. You will keep your head elevated when in bed with pillows for the first week after surgery.
The main recovery time is the time it takes for bruising to go away. This can take 2-3 weeks but makeup and colored glasses can cover bruising.
Removal of dark circles under the eyes using this procedure which is called a laser trans-conjunctival lower eyelid blepharoplasty with arcus marginalis release and fat grafting is permanent.
