Dark Circles Under Eyes-Identifying & Managing, 600th Video

[mikecharlieromeo]

wow the most truthful of anyone. i already know there's nothing really "good" for me- i am the kind who has thinning of the skin and the cappilary blue inner corner look. i wear powder which also acts as a mild sunblock. and lightenend the frekcles that darkened the area more by putting lemon juice directly on the skin. had to do that for over 6 months. sunblock.

[TheMaciel89]

i have had major dark bluish circles , for many years , i think its due to allergies because i get very itchy eyes, any suggestions? i also noticed when i get good refreshing sleep, which is very rare, my dark circles disappear or diminish

[samlammd]

@TheMaciel89 nice.  sleep is always good!

[PaulHartXYZ]

That makes sense. I think I remember you once saying that if you ONLY fill in the tear troughs, it tends to make the cheekbones below appear to be flatter. So you'd probably have to add some fat or filler to the cheekbones also.

[samlammd]

@PaulHartXYZ precisely.

[PaulHartXYZ]

Many docs talk about "repositioning" the fat pads under the eyes with laser blepharoplasty. Not removing the fat (as to avoid hollowness), but repositioning it into the depression of the tear trough. They call it recontouring the fat. Any thoughts?

Obviously, it's much more invasive than just filling in the trough with transfered fat or other fillers.

[samlammd]

@PaulHartXYZ if you find a good doctor to do that then that is a good option. in most docs hands it can lead to lumpiness. also, most people in my opinion do not have enough fat to make the transposition worth it. there is too much hollowness all the way around the entire circumference of the lower orbital rim and into the lateral canthus. a transposition only fixes the tear trough. most people that need that would also need fat elsewhere, and a transposition won't fix that.

[PaulHartXYZ]

Congrats on getting into the NY Times STYLE section today.

Now that's STYLE !!!!

[samlammd]

@PaulHartXYZ thanks paul!

[PaulHartXYZ]

That shoreline - tide - rock example is very interesting. So we get the appearance of the rocks (eye bags) because the tide (facial volume) recedes as we age? Isn't it a combination of the rocks (eye-bag fat-deposits) themselves actually growing larger AND the overall tide receding?

[samlammd]

@PaulHartXYZ it depends. sometimes it is just the tide receding. in some cases it is both. the eyeball fat can be pseudoherniated through the muscle. in these cases i combine a lower transconjunctival blepharoplasty with fat transfer. in 90% of cases, i just do a fat transfer. hope that is clear.

[PaulHartXYZ]

@samlammd Thanks doc. It always appeared like it was a little of both to me... slightly larger rocks and slightly receded tide. But you're right, unless the rocks (bags) are REALLY pronounced, it's probably better just to bring in the high tide again.

[samlammd]

@PaulHartXYZ bingo. you got it!

[szi2009]

i must say this is the best video i have seem about dark circles

[samlammd]

@szi2009 :)

[labrada800]

my inner part of the eye is very dark and it streches along the cheeks(i have some pigmentation on my cheeks also) is it an allergy(i usually take creatine and other food supplements)and i have to work on my computer for late nights i was getting it from 2-3years but they were normal and now they are getting worse please help!!!

[labrada800]

does restylane/botox etc. cure dark circles and if it does for how long does it stay

[samlammd]

watch the video for the answer. if it is hollowness then restylane can help. if it is not, then no. longevity with restylane is hard to predict from a few months to over a year. botox is for wrinkles.

[davidzgg]

great video. my dermatoloist prescribed to me hydroquinone 4% with sunscreen, but later i red online that it causes canser.what do u think about that? and how long does it take before seeing results? thanks again...

[samlammd]

no, i do not think it causes these problems. i use it in short spurts to get pigmentation under control like several months then recommend taking a hiatus. for regular dark spots it takes 4 to 12 weeks to see the change.

[BeautyFindstheSoul]

I believe I have a combo of allergy's and just deep hollowing under my eyes.  This has taken away sooooo......... much of my confidence as it's gotten to the point that there isn't any makeup in the world that can hide the discoloration and lack of substance in that area!! I would know for I am a makeup artist and Esthetician and know that there IS nothing I can do

[samlammd]

perhaps restylane under the eyes would be a good start?

[BeautyFindstheSoul]

. I have consulted w/ quite a few Dr's from NY to CA. and was disgusted at how many were so willing to give a 25 year old an upper AND lower lift. I know I didn't need all of that work at the time and just gave up.NOw,five years later, I don't know what to do. I embrace each day w/ some much energy and enthusiasm, yet look like I haven't slept in a month.I am attaching a link to share my problem and hopefully hear some suggestions as which route to take!!