Dark circles are one of the most common concerns we’re asked about — and one of the most frustrating, because they can leave you looking tired even when you feel perfectly well rested. They’re incredibly common, affect all ages and skin tones, and rarely have a single cause.

The skin under the eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on the whole face, which is exactly why changes show here first. In most people, dark circles come down to one or more of a few things: genetics and naturally thin skin, pigmentation, a loss of volume that creates shadowing, or simply tiredness and dehydration. Understanding which of these is at play is the key to treating them well — because the right approach for one type is quite different from another.

It helps to think of dark circles in three broad categories. Pigmented circles are caused by excess melanin and tend to look brown; vascular circles have a blue, purple or reddish tone, where the blood vessels show through the thin skin; and structural shadowing is created by hollowing or volume loss, which casts a shadow rather than being a true colour change. Many people have a combination of all three.

At Helen Hunt Medical Aesthetics, we take the time to look closely at what’s actually causing your dark circles, rather than treating them all the same way. Depending on the cause, we may recommend treatments such as polynucleotides or skin boosters to strengthen and hydrate the delicate skin, careful dermal filler to restore lost volume and soften shadowing, or a tailored skincare plan to brighten pigmentation — always with a soft, natural result in mind.

The best place to begin is a consultation, where we’ll assess the area properly and talk through the most effective, natural-looking options for you.