While an ever-growing raft of concealers is making it easier than ever to disguise tired eyes, dark circles are still the biggest beauty bugbear for 25% of us. That comes above wrinkles, blemishes, dullness, and a whole host of other skincare woes.
So, how can you get rid of dark under-eyes for good?
Makeup is a temporary fix, but if you’re looking for a solution that doesn’t wash away, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a host of aesthetics treatments available, each with lasting results. Here, we reveal three must-book injectables and facials that make you look younger and more awake – plus powerful at-home products that maintain your newly rested look.
But, first, what causes dark circles?
A lack of sleep is the number one culprit for fine lines and dark circles. And yet, even when you’re well-rested, those tell-tale bags can appear beneath your eyes. If no number of early nights is dialling down the darkness, there may be another cause at play. These are just some of the common reasons dark circles may be plaguing your under-eyes:
Plain and simple genetics. If tired eyes run in your family, even a two-week, sleep-heavy yoga retreat isn’t going to keep them at bay. The good news is, the treatments we discuss below still work on hereditary circles.
Allergies. Puffy, itchy eyes are a key symptom of an allergic reaction. If you suffer from hay fever, don’t be surprised if those bags look heavier when the pollen count is high.
Natural ageing. As you get older, your collagen levels begin to deplete, which leaves you with thinner skin. This allows the blood vessels underneath your eyes to appear more prominent.
Environmental aggressors, such as smoking, pollution and sun exposure all play a role in exacerbating dark circles. This is just one of many reasons antioxidant-fuelled serums and sunscreens are skincare essentials.
3 treatments that eliminate dark circles
No matter the cause of your tired under-eyes, booking in for the right treatment has the ability to take years off your face, soften fine lines and brighten your entire complexion. Take your pick from these go-tos…
1. For dark circles and deep lines: tear trough filler
Facial fillers aren’t merely designed for sharpening cheekbones and sculpting your jaw; a sprinkling of filler near your eyes can also help to eliminate dark circles. Placed precisely in the tear trough – also known as the deep crease between your lower eyelid and your upper cheek – the filler plumps and restores volume in the wrinkle-prone, hollowing area.
This simple trick pushes the skin up and away from the blue, purple or green blood vessels underneath, so they immediately appear less noticeable. The softening of under-eye wrinkles and so-called ‘crow’s feet’ is an added bonus, which makes you look fresher and more youthful from the moment you leave the clinic.
2. For tired eyes and crepe-y skin: microneedling
The clue is in the name with microneedling. It sees a profusion of microneedles pressed or rolled onto the skin to create tiny punctures on the surface. These punctures trigger a reparative response deep beneath the dermis, which plumps and renews the target area. In this case, your under-eyes.
This plumping, again, makes dark circles appear less visible, while tackling the crepe-y lines that are all too common when you’re feeling fatigued. At Mallucci London, we take the results one step further with AquaGold – our microneedling treatment of choice – which uses 24 karat gold needles, finer than a human hair, to gently treat your pores. Not only do they kickstart those healing effects, but they also infuse drab under-eyes with a cocktail of baby botox, hyaluronic acid and pore-loving vitamins. Your practitioner can also add in Light Eyes Ultra; an antioxidant-rich solution that every city-dweller needs to reverse the effects of pollution.
3. For needle-free rejuvenation: radiofrequency
If needles aren’t for you – even the minimally invasive kind – a radiofrequency treatment is the next best thing for giving collagen levels a jolt. While the results may not be as instantaneous as filler or AquaGold, over the course of a few sessions, you’ll see dark circles soften (and cheekbones appear lifted to boot).
How, exactly? We use a device called NuEra, which we glide over the surface of your skin. It heats up the cells underneath, which encourages collagen production. There’s no pain; just a warming sensation that’s pleasantly relaxing. So, all you have to do is lie back, let us smooth and soothe your under-eyes, and watch them go brighter over time.
Ready to book in?
If you’d like to try any of these treatments or simply want to learn more, reach out to the Mallucci London team for a consultation. We can advise on the solution that suits you best.
At-home aftercare
When it comes to aesthetics, the best results happen when you put in the correct aftercare. That’s why it’s crucial to look after your under-eyes, even when dark circles appear to be a thing of the past.
By day, we recommend an eye treatment that harnesses SPF, such as SkinCeuticals Mineral Eye Defense SPF30. Subtly tinted, it creates a luminous glow around the eye area, while protecting delicate lids from the damaging effects of UV rays. Pat it on with your ring finger, which is the weakest and therefore gentlest, allowing you to blend the soft tint without tugging at thin, sensitive under-eyes.
Then, apply a richer cream by night, like the iS Clinical C Eye Serum Advanced, which boasts a brightening thwack of vitamin C. Not only does this help to diminish puffiness, dullness and discolouration, but it also offers antioxidant properties to boost your skin’s defences.
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