Dark circles are not all treated the same way, because they do not all have the same cause. A dark circle can be a hollow (a shadow under the eye), a brown pigmentation, a bluish reflection of small vessels under thin skin, or a mix of the three. In Marrakech, Dr Sara Zahid, dermatologist in Guéliz, starts by working out which kind it is: it is this diagnosis, not tiredness, that decides the treatment. Depending on the case she offers hyaluronic acid filler, PRP, a laser or, sometimes, nothing at all.
Hollow dark circles come from a loss of volume under the eye: the tear trough deepens and casts a shadow. Pigmented dark circles are an accumulation of melanin, common on olive or dark skin and in people who rub their eyes or have eczema or allergies. Vascular dark circles, bluish or purplish, come from very thin skin that shows the vessels. Finally, eye bags can make everything look worse. The causes often add up.
In front of a mirror, gently stretch the skin under the eye: if the colour stays, it is more likely pigmentation; if it disappears, it is more likely vascular. Light yourself from above, then from the front: if the shadow vanishes with front light, it is a hollow. This test helps you find your bearings but does not replace an examination, which alone can separate overlapping causes.
When the problem is a hollow, it is filled with filler: a hyaluronic acid gel injected in a very small amount into the tear trough. It is a delicate area, so it is reserved for a trained doctor: the skin is thin, an excess shows, and there is a vascular risk. The product is placed precisely, the clinic’s ultrasound can help depending on the case, and hyaluronic acid can still be dissolved if there is a problem. The filler generally lasts 12 to 18 months under the eyes, with variations.
A brown dark circle is not filled, it is treated through the skin: strict sun protection, prescribed depigmenting care, and sometimes a low-energy pigment laser, with caution on olive skin so as not to trigger more pigmentation. If something keeps the dark circle going (eczema, allergy, rubbing), it has to be treated first, otherwise it comes back.
PRP, prepared from your own blood, and nanofat, a finely prepared fat, improve the thickness and quality of the skin under the eye. They are mainly used for thin, tired skin, or for mixed dark circles, sometimes combined with filler. They work gradually, over several sessions for PRP.
A mild bag linked to swelling or slight fat can improve with some treatments, but an established bag often calls for eyelid surgery. Dr Zahid does not claim it: she tells you clearly when the right procedure is elsewhere and refers you to a surgeon, without giving you a treatment you do not need.
Mention blood-thinning treatments. After filler, avoid intense heat, intense exercise and massage of the area for 24 to 48 hours; slight swelling or bruising is possible for a few days. After a laser, protect the skin from the sun. Sharp pain, white or purplish skin or a change in vision require an immediate call.
At the Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, in Guéliz, with Dr Sara Zahid, dermatologist, by appointment, in French, English or Arabic. A consultation precedes any treatment, with a detailed quote before any procedure and no single price displayed.
Because tiredness is not the main cause: dark circles come mostly from anatomy (a hollow under the eye), inherited pigmentation or thin skin. Sleep can make them worse but does not explain them alone.
A small amount of hyaluronic acid filler in the tear trough, done by a trained doctor, after examination.
Yes, with an adapted approach: strict sun protection, depigmenting care and, in some cases, a laser with careful settings to avoid new marks.
Not always: when several causes add up, the dark circle is improved without always disappearing. The dermatologist tells you what can reasonably be expected before starting.
It is a delicate area, with a rare vascular risk and a risk of visible excess, hence the importance of the practitioner and small amounts. Filler can still be dissolved with hyaluronidase.
Generally 12 to 18 months, with variations depending on the person and the product.
They can help a little with pigmentation or hydration, but they do not fill a hollow and do not change how transparent the skin is.
Aesthetic treatments (filler, laser) are postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The fee is given by the clinic after the consultation, because it depends on the cause and the chosen treatment. A detailed quote is provided before any procedure; there is no single price displayed.
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