The Trio Behind a Tired Look: Dark Eye Circles, Tear Troughs, and Eye Bag
Dark eye circles, tear troughs, and eye bags—the combination that would give anyone an aged and tired appearance. These stubborn and unwelcome eye issues are not just a cosmetic concern; they can also affect our confidence and overall appearance. But what causes them, and what is an effective treatment for them?
The reality is that dark eye circles stem from a variety of factors. For some, it’s a matter of volume loss under the eyes, leading to a hollow, shadowed appearance. Others may struggle with pigmentation issues, where excess melanin or hyperpigmentation makes the skin around the eyes look darker. Additionally, vascular problems, such as visible blood vessels or allergies, can contribute to the bluish or purplish hue under the eyes.
On the other hand, tear troughs and eye bags form due to the age-related loss of facial volume and collagen, together with the weakening of the periorbital supporting ligaments and muscles, allowing orbital fat to protrude. Each cause requires a different treatment approach, which is why a tailored solution is essential for effectively addressing dark eye circles, tear troughs, and eye bags.
At Bay Aesthetics Clinic and Medispa, we recognise that every individual’s skin and the causes behind tired and aged eyes are different. Our bespoke treatment plans are designed to effectively rejuvenate your face, helping you reclaim your youthful radiance.
Thin skin around the eyes makes them more susceptible to obvious signs of ageing, such as dark eye circles, tear troughs, and eye bags.
Standard treatments for dark circles, tear troughs, and eyebags
In most medical clinics, the prevailing non-surgical treatment of dark eye circles, tear troughs, and eyebags is to perform undereye fillers using hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. This has been performed for years with generally acceptable results. Consult 10 clinics, and 9 out of 10 will most likely recommend this. But are you aware of the issues with undereye HA fillers? Not every patient is a success story.
Undereye fillers, typically composed of hyaluronic acid, are injected into the tear trough area to restore lost volume. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the skin that helps maintain moisture and elasticity. Although these fillers can address a plethora of skin issues, such as volume loss and dry skin, and provide additional support to the weakening periorbital ligaments, several post-treatment problems are possible.
Problem #1: Oedema, swelling, and water-retention
While initial results after undereye HA fillers always seem promising, delayed complications have been known to occur. One of the most common complications of undereye fillers is swelling [1]. Hyaluronic acid has a strong affinity for water molecules, which makes it perfect for maintaining moisture and hydration.
However, what works well for some areas might not be ideal for the undereye. Compared to other parts of the body, the undereye region has naturally poor lymphatic drainage. This limited drainage can hinder the body's ability to remove excess fluid, leading to fluid retention (oedema), puffiness, and swelling.
The combination of poor lymphatic drainage and the propensity of HA filler to absorb water makes the undereye area prone to water retention and swelling, potentially giving the patient a puffy and tired look. Let’s take Hollywood celebrity Jennifer Anniston, for example [2]. She recently walked the red carpet and shocked Hollywood media with her puffy undereyes. Rather than giving her a rejuvenated appearance, her undereye HA filler had become swollen and caused her to look tired and older.
Undereye swelling and puffiness are common unwanted effects of undereye HA filler.
Problem #2: Tyndall effect – undereye bluish appearance
Another common complication with undereye fillers is the Tyndall effect. In relation to undereye HA fillers, the Tyndall effect is characterised by a bluish tint or hue under the skin [3]. Also known as Tyndall scattering, it is more obvious under thin skin, such as the undereye area, and can be distressing for patients due to the poor aesthetic appearance.
The Tyndall effect occurs for various reasons, such as when HA fillers are administered too superficially, at an incorrect angle, or when the filler of choice is incompatible.
When this occurs, the solution is to inject hyaluronidase enzyme [4] to dissolve the filler. However, while this usually solves the problem, the patient returns to square one—with an unsightly tear trough, dark eye circles, and eye bags. In fact, some patients end up in a frustrating cycle of undereye HA filler injections, developing complications, dissolving filler, and repeating the undereye HA filler injections.
The Tyndall effect is a delayed complication of undereye fillers.
Deusaderm purified Collagen injections: The next wave of periorbital rejuvenation
Given the potential pitfalls of undereye hyaluronic acid fillers, there has been a lot of interest in alternate injectables to rejuvenate the undereye periorbital region. In fact, years of research have shown that collagen is one of the most promising components for skin rejuvenation [5]. Naturally present in our bodies, collagen provides structure, support, and strength while also maintaining skin elasticity and a youthful, plump appearance. However, collagen production naturally decreases with age, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and other age-related issues.
This underscores the vital role of collagen in preserving our skin's vibrancy. Therefore, collagen should be the primary ingredient in effective skin rejuvenation treatment. In addition to this, the ideal injectable should not only mimic the body’s natural collagen but should also have the following characteristics:
Biocompatible
Low molecular size for quick integration
High elasticity and cohesivity for structural support
Natural colour and texture
Introducing: Deusaderm Vital [6]. Manufactured by Sunmax Biotech using their 3-step patented purification technology, Deusaderm is a purified collagen injection gaining popularity for periorbital rejuvenation, treating dark eye circles, tear troughs, and eye bags. The purified collagen is very similar to human collagen, effectively restoring the loss of collagen and giving the skin a revitalised, youthful appearance. This product has been licenced to use for almost 20 years, and millions of treatments have been completed.
How does Deusaderm work?
When injected into the dermis, Deusaderm creates a favourable environment for your skin to regenerate itself. It does this by increasing blood flow (vascularisation), encouraging collagen production, and stimulating the movement of skin cells, such as fibroblasts, which are involved in healing. This cascade of activities ultimately leads to a rejuvenated periorbital region.
Deusaderm has multiple properties that make it an effective solution for treating undereye solutions. These properties include:
High elasticity: Deusaderm’s high elasticity provides strong structural support to the treatment areas by encouraging the synthesis of collagen fibres. This aids in gradually filling up hollow or depressed tear troughs for a full and vibrant appearance.
Low extrusion force: Deusaderm has a low extrusion force, allowing for precise injections and providing a natural-looking transformation with fewer chances of side effects and enhanced safety and efficacy, especially in delicate areas around the eye.
High viscosity: Deusaderm has a reduced risk of post-injection migration and muscle-induced deformities. Additionally, Deusaderm is milky white, thus allowing for an immediate concealer effect for dark eye circles and avoiding the potential side effect of hyaluronic acid fillers—the Tyndall effect.
Small particle size: Deusaderm molecules are approximately 20 times smaller than HA molecules, making them suitable for all skin layers, especially the delicate undereye area. Additionally,
Deusaderm collagen resembles the skin’s natural collagen in colour, texture, and elasticity; Deusaderm collagen injections “replace like for like” and replenish lost collagen with natural-looking results.
What can Deusaderm Vital treat?
Deusaderm Vital is versatile and can be used to treat the following:
Skin laxity around the eyes
Signs of ageing (fine lines, wrinkles)
Dark eye circles
Tear troughs
Eye bags
Lack of elasticity
Several studies [7-9] have shown that Deusaderm injections significantly improve dark eye circles, tear troughs, and eye bags while reducing complications such as the Tyndall effect and oedema or swelling.
A study by Bai and colleagues [7] showed that 100% of patients experienced improvements in their tear trough, while 93% had improvements in their dark eye circles. Deusaderm's safety profile further supports these promising results, with 99% of patients experiencing no adverse effects related to injections.
In summary, Deusaderm offers immediate, natural, and noticeable enhancements for skin concerns around the eyes, ensuring no discolouration, minimal discomfort, and fewer adverse events post-injection.
What is the difference between Deusaderm and Hyaluronic Acid fillers?
Deusaderm (purified collage) vs hyaluronic acid filler for undereye
Deusaderm (purified collagen)
Hyaluronic acid filler
Ingredient
Purified collagen (natural source)
Synthetic hyaluronic acid, crosslinked
Effects
Immediate with further skin quality improvement after 1-2 months
Immediate, no further improvement, may have delayed complications
Risk of Tyndall effect
No
Yes
Risk of eyelid oedema or swelling
No
Yes
Risk of migration
Low
Low-Moderate
Risk of nodules/granuloma
Low
Low-moderate
Duration of results
6-9 months
6-9 months
How many Deusaderm sessions are required?
Deusaderm provides immediate volume replacement and reduces the appearance of dark eye circles after just one session; however, the recommended amount of sessions is as follows:
Case study: Sarah’s transformation
Sarah, a 30-year-old patient, came to Bay Aesthetics Clinic and Medispa with concerns about persistent dark circles and tear troughs that made her look perpetually tired. As a mother of two, Sarah lacked sleep and suffered from allergies, which exacerbated her dark circles and tear troughs.
Upon careful examination, a personalised treatment plan involving Deusaderm was developed to lighten Sarah’s dark eye circles and restore the lost volume in her tear troughs.
Disclaimer: Due to advertising regulations, photos of patients after treatment cannot be displayed but can be shown during consultation- contact us to see our portfolio of successful cases
How much does Deusaderm cost?
At Bay Aesthetics Clinic and Medispa, Deusaderm, prices range from $1000-1200 per syringe (1ml). Typically, undereye or tear trough treatment requires 1 to 2 syringes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Deusaderm safe?
Yes. Deusaderm purified collagen implant has been licensed for over 20 years, with over 2 million treatments performed. It is available in over 10,000 medical clinics.
When can results be seen after Deusaderm injection?
Most patients report an immediate improvement in the appearance of their dark eye circles and tear troughs. Within a week of the injection, the purified collagen integrates with the skin, improving fine lines and colour. Over the subsequent months, the collagen gradually breaks down into peptides and amino acids, further improving the skin quality of the delicate undereye.
How long do results last?
This depends on the patient's condition, metabolism, and injected volume. Typically, results can last for 6-9 months. With regular treatments, the duration of the effect becomes longer.
Is Deusaderm treatment painful? How long does it take?
A topical anaesthetic is applied prior to injection, making the treatment fairly comfortable. It takes 15-20 minutes.
Is there any downtime?
There is no downtime, and patients can resume normal activity right away.
References
Allam, M. N., El Sayed, S. S., El Gohary, M. F., Abdo, M. A., Saleh, N. F., & Farahat, I. A. (2021). The effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss and transfusion requirements in primary hip and knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 16(1), 1-12.
Fathi, R., & Tsoukas, M. M. (2020). Allergic reactions to cosmetic fillers: A comprehensive review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 13(8), E48-E56. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7398804/
