The origin of brown pigmented dark circles and the role of hyaluronic acid injections.

Pigmented dark circles, often brown in color, are a frequent source of aesthetic concern for many patients. They make you look tired and can affect your self-confidence. But where do these pigmented dark circles come from and how can we treat them effectively, particularly with hyaluronic acid?

What is a pigmented dark circle?

Pigmented dark circles, unlike hollow or vascularized dark circles, are linked to excess pigmentation of the skin under the eyes. They appear as brown or dark areas and can have several causes:

• Hyperpigmentation: The accumulation of melanin in the skin, often due to genetic factors or prolonged exposure to the sun, is one of the main causes of brown circles. People with olive or dark skin are more likely to develop this type of dark circles.
• Hereditary factors: Genetic predisposition plays an important role. If anyone in your family suffers from pigmented dark circles, you are more likely to have them.
• Aging: With age, the skin thins, making the natural pigmentation under the eyes more visible. In addition, cumulative sun damage over the years worsens this pigmentation.
• Inflammation and rubbing: Certain allergies or eye rubbing habits can lead to hyperpigmentation.

Why can hyaluronic acid injections be a solution?

Although hyaluronic acid does not directly treat pigmentation, it plays an essential complementary role in improving the appearance of pigmented dark circles:

• Shadow Reduction: Pigmented dark circles are often accentuated by a hollowness under the eye, creating shadows that make the area appear even darker. Hyaluronic acid injection helps fill these hollows and smooth the area under the eyes. By reducing shadows, the contrast with pigmentation is reduced, resulting in a brighter look.
• Improved skin quality: Hyaluronic acid also has hydrating and plumping properties. It improves the texture and thickness of the skin, making it more supple and less prone to signs of aging that can worsen the appearance of pigmented dark circles.
• Synergistic effect with other treatments: In addition to other techniques such as depigmenting creams or peels, hyaluronic acid injections allow you to obtain a more harmonious result. While topical treatments target pigmentation, hyaluronic acid takes care of structure and volume.
• A quick and minimally invasive solution: As for hollow dark circles, the injection of hyaluronic acid is a quick procedure, carried out in the office, with few side effects and a visible result in just a few days. It can be carried out in addition to other more specific treatments for pigmentation.

In conclusion, although topical treatments are essential to reduce excess melanin, hyaluronic acid injections offer an effective complementary solution to restore volume, reduce shadows and improve the overall appearance of the eye area.

Dr. Cyrielle Bela

Ophthalmologist specializing in cosmetic eyelid surgery

Switzerland

Dr. Bela is a specialist in Oculoplastic Surgery with a focus on periorbital and aesthetic medicine. She practices at Clinique Beaulieu and has been a Key Opinion Leader for TEOXANE since 2019.