What should you know about procedure for dark circles?

Under-eye darkness can reflect a hollow that casts a shadow, extra pigment, thin skin with visible vessels, swelling, rubbing, or inherited anatomy. A clinician examines the colour and contour in different lighting and asks about allergies, eczema, sleep, rubbing, and skincare. [Tear Trough Hollows](/conditions/tear-trough-hollows/) are structural depressions; they are different from pigment or irritation.

If itching, scaling, or redness is present, [Atopic Dermatitis](/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/) may need attention before an aesthetic procedure. Treating a shadow with a volume treatment will not correct inflamed skin, and treating pigment will not fill a hollow.

Start with an assessment rather than choosing a procedure from a photograph. Depending on the finding, options may include skincare for pigment or irritation, procedures aimed at texture or colour, or carefully planned [Under-Eye Filler](/treatments/injectables/tear-trough-filler/) for selected hollows. The under-eye is a delicate area, so the injector should review allergies, previous filler, eye conditions, medicines, and healing history.

Before treatment, follow instructions about makeup, active skincare, sun exposure, and medicines. Do not inject around an unexplained rash, infection, or sudden swelling. Aftercare may include avoiding pressure, strenuous activity, or heat for a period advised by the clinician.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or increasing pain, sudden vision change, unusual pale or dusky skin, marked swelling on one side, or weakness. Contact the clinic for worsening redness, warmth, discharge, fever, or a rash. Sudden darkening with swelling should be assessed rather than covered with makeup.

What is causing my dark circles? Is the change mainly pigment, hollowing, vessels, swelling, or irritation? Which option addresses that cause? What are the specific warning signs around the eyes? How will you reduce the risk of lumps, swelling, or an uneven result?