Dark Circles

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 28 female with bad dark circles. I would like to have hyaluraunic acid injectable filler to improve the look of my under eyes. I have attached some pictures without makeup for your consideration. I have never had any procedure performed before. Am I a good candidate for the under eye filler? Also, could you please let me know the cost of the procedure. Many thanks.

A: Thank you for your inquiry. A hyaluronic-based injectable filler is a good place to start for your dark circles under eye issues even though it is not the best treatment for it. It is important that you understand that any filling of the under eye hollows is not going to solve your hyperpigmentation problem. It will improve the hollows but that alone will not make the dark color go away. Ideally you would treat them with fat injections combined with a peel of the skin with pre- and post treatment topical hydroquinone. But starting with a temporary filler will determine for you whether the correction of the hollows alone can be done by injection of any material and is a ‘pre-test’ for future fat injections which are superior in terms of both volume retention and potentially aiding in the hyperpigmentation issue.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana