Under-Eye Hollows & Dark Circles
A shadow, a colour and a swelling are three different things.
About this concern
Hollowness, pigmentation and puffiness can create different under-eye concerns, and identifying the main cause helps avoid treating every dark circle as a volume problem. A hollow between the lower lid and the cheek casts a shadow, which reads as darkness without any change in skin colour. Pigmentation is a change in colour, in the skin itself. Thin skin can let the vessels beneath it show through as a blue or purple tone. Puffiness is the opposite problem from a hollow, and in a face prone to it, adding volume can make the appearance worse rather than better. More than one of these is often present at once, in different proportions on each side. The first useful step is to work out which one is doing most of the work.
Why the causes differ
- Whether the darkness changes when the light comes from a different angle — a shadow does, a pigment does not.
- Skin thickness, and whether vessels are visible through it.
- Swelling, how it varies through the day, and whether it varies with salt, sleep or allergy.
- Family resemblance: the under-eye structure is often inherited.
- Previous filler in the area, especially where swelling or unevenness has persisted.
Questions worth asking at your consultation
- What is causing the appearance under my eyes — a hollow, colour, or swelling?
- If it is more than one cause, which one would you address first?
- Am I someone for whom an injectable approach in this area would be a poor idea?
- What would you expect to improve, and what would stay the same?
Options a practitioner may discuss
The information here is general. It is not a diagnosis, and it is not a recommendation for any individual.
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