Dark circles under the eyes

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Blog 8.5.2025

Dark circles under the eyes

Dark circles under the eyes can make you look exhausted and stressed. The issue is common and usually harmless, but persistent dark circles can still take a toll on your confidence.

There are many explanatory factors behind dark under-eye circles. Causes may be related to heredity, lifestyle or skin characteristics, for example. Whatever the cause of the problem, the good news is that there are plenty of solutions available.

This article explores the causes of dark circles and the best ways to treat them. While home remedies like cold compresses or cucumber slices provide short-term relief, aesthetic treatments such as polynucleotides and biorevitalization offer longer-lasting results. For the most effective solution, visiting an aesthetic clinic is recommended.

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If the specialist finds that the treatment isn't suitable for the client for any reason, it will be modified or not carried out at all.

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Summary

Dark circles can be caused by genes, lifestyle or skin texture.
Solutions:
- Home skincare includes cold treatments to reduce puffiness, staying hydrated to maintain skin elasticity, and good sleep hygiene to prevent fatigue from showing under the eyes.
- Regular use of medical skin care products
- Aesthetic treatments, e.g. mesotherapy, mesolanges, Tience or filler treatments

You don't have to search for the best treatment for you - finding the right treatment path is the job of a professional with aesthetic expertise.

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Dark circles under the eyes can indicate fatigue. Often there are other factors at work, such as thinning skin, sun exposure and sometimes iron deficiency. If you are healthy but still have dark circles, the problem can be treated at an aesthetic clinic (Ville Männistö, surgeon).

What causes dark circles under the eyes?

There can be many different causes of dark under-eye circles. They can be related to skin quality, ageing, hereditary factors or lifestyle, for example. Once the causes of darkness have been identified, the problem is half solved.

Genes
Genes play a major role in the tone and thinness of the periorbital membrane. If dark circles run in your family, you’re more likely to develop them as well.
Skin quality
The periorbital skin is naturally very thin. With age, the skin becomes even thinner. This also means that the blood vessels that can be heard through the skin become more visible.
Pigment changes
Excess melanin accumulated on the skin can cause brownish darkening. This is particularly common after sun exposure and in people with naturally dark skin.
Ageing
- As we age, the levels of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin decline.
- A decrease in collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid means a decrease in skin firmness, elasticity and fullness.
- These changes cause darkening, wrinkling and hollowing of the eye area.
Lifestyles
Smoking, alcohol consumption, low water intake and an unhealthy diet can quickly show up as dark circles and sometimes bags around the eyes.
Stress and sleep deprivation
Lack of sleep and high stress can thin the skin and deepen dark circles. Getting enough rest is one of the first steps to improvement.
Allergy
Allergies can cause inflammation and swelling, making dark circles more pronounced. Nasal congestion further reduces blood flow, intensifying the bluish tint around the eyes.
Diseases
Iron deficiency anemia, liver issues, and other systemic conditions can contribute to eyelid darkening.

If dark circles are a symptom of a disease, the starting point is always to treat the disease.

Since dark circles often stem from multiple factors, treatment should be multifaceted. Addressing lifestyle and skincare habits makes a significant difference, while subtle aesthetic treatments provide the finishing touch.

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Iron deficiency and dark circles under the eyes

Iron plays a crucial role in oxygen transport through hemoglobin. When iron levels are low, oxygen delivery is impaired, which can lead to darkening around the thin skin of the eyes.

People with iron deficiency may also notice other symptoms: tiredness, weakness, dizziness, colds. If these symptoms are combined with dark circles under the eyes, it is worth starting with a blood test. Once the health problems have been dealt with, it is time to move on to aesthetic problems.

How does iron deficiency affect the skin?

Iron deficiency causes paleness, making dark blood vessels under the eyes more visible.
Long-term iron deficiency also reduces skin elasticity and flexibility.
Oxygen deficiency slows down skin regeneration, leading to a sluggish renewal cycle that can worsen dark circles.

Treatment and prevention

Treatment of iron deficiency often starts with diet. Add iron-rich foods to your diet, such as

red meat, especially liver
spinach and kale
lentils, beans, chickpeas
wholegrain products and nuts

It is also important to pay attention to your intake of vitamin C, as vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron. Good sources of vitamin C include oranges, peppers and strawberries.

If dietary correction is not enough, your doctor may recommend an iron supplement. It is important to follow the dosage instructions when taking iron supplements, as too much iron can cause side effects such as stomach upset.

Many people are surprised to learn that iron deficiency may be the cause of dark under-eye circles. When haemoglobin levels can be raised, the skin often brightens significantly.

How to reduce dark circles under your eyes?

There are several ways to fade dark circles under the eyes. These range from simple home remedies to aesthetic treatments requiring medical expertise. The choice of solution is guided by the causes of the problem, the degree of darkness, the client's goals and the budget available.

Different levels of treatment

Home remedies: cold compresses, throat lozenges and tea bags can provide immediate relief from swelling and temporarily brighten the complexion.
Skin care products: careful use of quality eye creams can strengthen the thin under-eye skin. As the skin strengthens, so does the darkness.
Biostimulation treatments: microneedling, mesotherapy, skin boosters and polynucleotides stimulate the skin's own regenerative functions. As the skin becomes stronger and healthier, its appearance improves - often dramatically and for the long term.
Filler treatments: under-eye filler treatment thickens the skin. The result is visible immediately after the treatment and lasts well for an average of one year.

A combination of treatments delivers naturally beautiful and long-lasting results.

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Fastest Ways to Reduce Dark Circles at Home

If you need a quick fix for dark circles, home remedies can offer temporary relief. While they don’t address the root cause, they can help brighten the under-eye area and reduce puffiness.

Cold pack treatment: cold application reduces swelling and constricts blood vessels. You can use a cold spoon, an ice pack or a cloth dipped in cool water, for example. Be careful not to burn your skin!
Cucumber slices: cucumber contains water and antioxidants that soothe the skin and reduce swelling. Place cool cucumber slices over the eyes for 15 minutes.
Tea bags: tea bags containing caffeine can improve circulation and reduce swelling. Cool the tea bags and place them over the eyes.
Aloe vera: Soothing aloe vera moisturises and cools the skin. Apply to the eye area and leave on for a while.
Adequate hydration: drinking enough water helps keep skin hydrated and bright. 1.5-2 litres a day is enough.

Cold baths, staying hydrated, and other home remedies are a great first step. For longer-lasting results, an aesthetic consultation can help explore further treatment options.

Best eye cream for dark circles

A good quality eye cream is the best friend of anyone over 25. With the right ingredients, it not only brightens the skin but also moisturises it while preventing all types of age-related changes.

When choosing an eye cream, look for products with the following active ingredients:

Vitamin C - an effective brightener that reduces pigmentation changes
Retinol - helps skin regeneration and increases collagen production
Hyaluronic acid - moisturises the skin and also fades fine lines to some extent
Peptides - improve skin elasticity and reduce signs of fatigue

Additional tips:

Gently pat the cream onto cleansed skin.
Use both morning and evening for best results.
Choose the product that's right for your skin problem. Ask a medical skincare professional for help.
Remember to also protect the eye socket from UV rays.

ZO Skin Health

ZO Skin Health - Intense Eye Crème

Intense Eye Crème is a moisturizing eye cream containing stabilized retinol and peptides. It firms the skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles and lightens dark circles with light-reflecting pigments.

Benefits:

Stimulates collagen synthesis and evens skin tone
Promotes the production of collagen and elastin
Lightens dark circles under the eyes
Optical diffusers minimise blemishes

Use:

Apply a small amount to the eye area in the morning and evening, patting lightly.

Active ingredients:

Retinol: cell renewal, skin tone smoothing
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and tetrapeptide-7: Enhancing collagen production
Glycosaminoglycans: protect the skin
Optical diffusers: mica and titanium oxide

ZO Skin Health - Growth Factor Eye Serum

Growth Factor Eye Serum is a cooling gel-like serum that boosts microcirculation and treats deeper lines and dark circles. It comes with an applicator to soothe and refresh the skin.

Benefits:

Promotes the production of collagen and elastin
Lightens dark circles and evens skin tone
Treats deep lines and wrinkles
Improves microcirculation and reduces swelling

Use:

Apply with an applicator to the eye area and pat lightly morning and evening.

Active ingredients:

Retinol: Cell renewal and improvement of skin tone
Peptide compounds: stimulation of collagen synthesis
Glycosaminoglycans: supporting the skin's protective mechanism

ZO Skin Health - Eye Brightening Crème

Eye Brightening Crème contains retinol and ZPRO, a compound that improves the appearance of the eye area. It reduces dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles while brightening the skin tone.

Benefits:

Reduces visible lines and wrinkles
Targeted lightening of dark circles under the eyes
Smoothes and brightens the skin
Reduces puffiness and refreshes the complexion

Use:

Apply to the eye area and pat lightly morning and evening.

Active ingredients:

Retinol and ZPRO: Collagen production and cell regeneration
Cojicdipalmitate: Pigment reduction
Microcirculation enhancers: caffeine and carnitine

dark circles under the eyes microneedling

how to get rid of dark circles under the eyes

Aesthetic Treatments for Dark Circles

When home remedies and skincare products are not enough, aesthetic treatments offer effective and long-lasting solutions. Ebeling Beauty's experts will always tailor a treatment plan based on your needs and budget. The treatment path starts with a free, no-obligation consultation.

Targeted Solutions for Dark Circles

ZO facials include chemical peeling. The chemical peel removes pigmentation, firms the skin and evens out its tone. Read more!
Microneedling is one of the most effective ways to increase the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Read more!
Mesotherapy involves injecting skin brightening and strengthening actives directly where they are most needed. Read more!
Polynucleotides promote skin regeneration at the cellular level. Read more!
Biorevitalisation, a treatment that intensively revitalises the skin, can be done with skin boosters, and in some cases also with meso wires.
The tear trough fillers thicken the thin, translucent under-eye lining very effectively. Read more!
Tience repairs and heals the skin from the inside out. Read more!

The abundance of different aesthetic treatments can feel overwhelming, even stressful. However, choosing the right treatment is not the client's job, but that of the aesthetic medical professional.

It all starts with a free consultation. During the consultation, the client's needs, budget and schedule are identified. By doing this, we are also guaranteed to find a suitable treatment path.
(Nurse Juuli Korkeila)

Get rid of dark circles with ZO facials

ZO facials combine medical skincare products and effective clinical therapies into a healthy skin care package. As the skin heals and improves its condition, the effects extend to the appearance of the skin.

ZO facials often include a brightening chemical peel to remove dead cells and pigment deposits from the surface layer of the skin. This process stimulates the formation of new, smoother and brighter skin. In addition to exfoliation, treatments can be combined with a range of serums and masks to moisturise and soothe the delicate eye area.

The benefits of the ZO products:

Brightens dark circles by removing pigmentary changes.
Improves skin texture and elasticity.
Stimulates skin regeneration.
Provides long-lasting results.

The effects of treatment are often visible after the first session, but a series of treatments is recommended for optimal results. A professional will always assess your skin's needs before starting treatment and adapt treatment methods to your individual goals.

Removing Dark Circles with Mesotherapy, Microneedling, or Combination Treatments

Mesotherapy and microneedling are two complementary needling treatments. Both treatments directly target the problem area and stimulate the skin to regenerate. Combining these treatments can produce significantly better results, especially if the problem is thinning and clouding of the periorbital skin. Typically at least three treatments are required. Each treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs by an aesthetic medicine practitioner.

Mesotherapy

In mesotherapy, active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and antioxidants are injected into the under-eye area to stimulate the skin and improve its structure. This treatment strengthens and plumps the delicate skin while significantly reducing darkness for a fresher, more youthful look.

Microneedling

Microneedling involves making small sterile micro-injuries in the skin. The controlled damage to the skin stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. The increase in collagen and elastin levels makes the skin smooth, supple and firm.

Combining mesotherapy and microneedling

deeply moisturises and nourishes the skin
balances skin tone and reduces pigmentation changes
firms and brightens the eye contour
thicken the skin gently

Polynucleotides in the treatment of dark circles

Polynucleotides are a state-of-the-art method for treating dark circles. This aesthetic treatment focuses on skin regeneration. At the cellular level, the treatment works to improve skin texture and colour. Polynucleotides are natural DNA and RNA fragments that stimulate skin regeneration and hydration. They are particularly effective in the delicate area around the eyes, where the skin is thin and therefore susceptible to all ageing changes.

How do polynucleotides work?

Promote cell renewal which improves skin elasticity and tone
Deeply moisturise the skin and restore its fullness
Reduce inflammation and improve skin resistance
Have a long-lasting effect as they activate the skin's own regeneration process

Treatment Process and Expected Results

Polynucleotide treatment begins with a consultation where a specialist evaluates the skin's condition. During the procedure, the active ingredient is administered through microinjections to stimulate skin regeneration and improve texture.

Visible results often appear after the first few sessions, with the skin looking brighter and dark circles reduced. For full results, a series of 2–4 treatments is recommended.

Polynucleotides are an excellent solution when you want a natural and durable way to improve the appearance of your eyelids. (Nurse Juuli Korkeila)

Bio-revitalisation of dark under-eye areas with skin boosters or PDO threads

Biorevitalisation is an effective treatment designed to deeply hydrate the skin and restore its youthful appearance. Skin boosters and PDO threads are two widely used techniques that help improve skin quality, elasticity, and overall radiance.

Skin boosters

Skin boosters contain hyaluronic acid which binds moisture to the skin. This helps to plump the eye area and reduce wrinkles and dark circles. Hyaluronic acid also increases the elasticity of the skin making it smoother and brighter looking.

Benefits of treatment:

Moisturises and plumps the skin
Firms and reduces wrinkles
Improves skin texture and evens out tone differences
Provides long-lasting results

Treatment always starts with a consultation where a professional will assess your skin's needs and recommend the most suitable method or combination of methods. For best results, 2-3 treatments can be recommended, approximately every month.

PDO threads

PDO threads are biodegradable sutures placed under the skin to stimulate collagen production. A treatment using straight Mint threads helps firm the skin and improve its texture, enhancing overall skin quality and elasticity.

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Brighten Your Under-Eyes with Tience

Tience is a treatment method developed in Finland that is ideal for brightening dark under-eye circles, among other things.

How does Tience work?

The Tience treatment uses bioactive ingredients that stimulate all layers of the skin to regenerate. The treatment directly targets darkening factors such as pigmentary changes and thinning skin.

Benefits of treatment

Brightens skin and reduces darkness
Restores the skin's moisture balance
Improves skin texture and elasticity
Provides long-lasting results without surgery

During the treatment, bioactive substances are injected under the skin, accelerating healing and stimulating new, healthy skin formation. The first effects appear within weeks, while the final result is visible after about three months.

Lue lisää!

Tience offers the client an effective non-surgical way to brighten the complexion. The treatment is quite painful, but the results are unparalleled. (Surgeon Ville Männistö)

Filler May Be Needed in Some Cases

Fillers offer a quick and long-lasting solution for under-eye darkness and wrinkles. Juvéderm hyaluronic acid-based filler adds volume, smoothing and brightening the delicate under-eye area for a refreshed look.

Tear trough fillers are not suitable for treating actual eye bags, as they address volume loss rather than excess skin or fat.

How do fillers work?

Juvéderm hyaluronic acid gel naturally thickens the thin under-eye skin, lifting hollows and instantly reducing darkness. The results continue to improve over the next couple of weeks. One treatment is usually enough, with effects lasting around a year or even longer.

Benefits of treatment:

Reduces bumpiness and shadows
Improves skin tone and texture
Gives immediate results
The effect usually lasts for at least a year

Filler treatment always begins with a consultation to assess suitability and individual needs. The procedure itself is quick and virtually painless, providing immediate results with long-lasting effects.

Katso muutoskuvia

Fillers are a great option when dark circles are caused by structural factors. The treatment is quick and, in the hands of an experienced professional, safe and effective.

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