Dark Circles

What are dark circles?

Dark circles refer to an area of increased darkness beneath the eyes. They are a common concern and may be present from a young age or develop gradually over time. The appearance can vary between individuals and may affect one or both eyes.

What causes dark circles?

Dark circles can have several contributing factors, including:

• Individual facial bone anatomy and genetics.
• Your ethnicity and orbital bone structure
• Shadowing from hollowing beneath the eyes.
• Skin pigmentation.
• Visible blood vessels or muscles beneath thin skin.
• Gradual changes in the skin and supporting tissues such as surrounding fat pads with age.
• Lifestyle factors, including fatigue, allergies or dehydration, medical illness, and medications, may make dark circles appear more noticeable in some people.
• Often, more than one factor contributes to their appearance, making an individual assessment an important part of the consultation.

Assessment

During your consultation, we’ll assess the skin beneath your eyes, facial bone anatomy, fat pads, skin quality and the surrounding structures of the lower eyelids and cheeks. We will establish your bony vectors, whether a positive or negative direction, which plays an important role in your assessment and options. We’ll also consider your medical history and any factors that may contribute to changes in this area. Understanding the underlying cause helps determine whether management is appropriate for you.

Why assessment is important

Not all dark circles have the same cause. In some people, they are primarily related to pigmentation, while in others they result from shadowing and hollowing, orbital or cheek bone structure, visible blood vessels or changes in the surrounding fat pads or skin quality. Because the underlying causes differ, management should be guided by a comprehensive assessment rather than the appearance alone.

Individualised management

During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether any management or referral is appropriate for your individual concerns. If so, we’ll explain the available options, togetherwith the expected benefits, limitations and potential risks, so you can make an informed decision about your care.

Prepared by
Dr Simone Doreian
Specialist General Practitioner
AHPRA Registration: MED0001163462