One of UKs leading clinics for treating Dark Circles

The Solihull Medical Cosmetic Clinic sees and treats approximately 200 clients a year for dark circles around eyes and offers a complete range of treatments to address dark circles under eyes.  Some of the treatments carried out may be advised to use alone or in combination depending upon the cause. Dr. Sagoo will assess each client before suggesting a treatment protocol.

Dark circles under eyes are a common problem, especially amongst Asians and black people, and can be embarrassing in public.  Understanding the causes of dark circles allows us to be able to treat the underlying cause.

(Results will vary from person to person.)

What causes under eye dark circles?

Skin conditions like atopic eczema have been known to cause dark under-eye circles.  The cause can also be from aging since the skin loses collagen and thins, making veins more prominent.  The dark circles can also be caused by your facial features.  Shadows can be cast by bone structure, puffy eyelids or from hollows under the eyes caused by the natural process of aging.  Dark circles, also known as periorbital circlesperiorbital hyper pigmentation or periorbital melanosisis are dark blemishes around the eyes.  They may or may not be associated with under eye puffiness, bags, malar festoons etc.

There are commonly two types of dark circles:

  1. Blue
  2. Brown/black

he Blue circles are formed due to pooling of oxygenated blood in under-eye skin. As skin on this part is very thin, so blood shows through.  However brown/black dark circles are most commonly found.  They are due to hyperpigmentation of the skin around the eye.

Associated under eye puffiness could be due to:

1)      Water retention as in premenstrual

2)      Renal dysfunction

3)      Hypertension

4)      Excessive salt intake

5)      Thyroid disorders

6)      Under eye fat prolapse

Family history inherited

A common cause of dark circles is family history or genetics.  Certain ethnic cultures have skin which causes increased melanin production not due to outside factors alone.


The dark circles can be caused by seasonal allergies such as hay fever, food allergies, cosmetic allergies and allergens in the home or workplace.  Allergies cause inflammation which enlarges the tiny blood vessels beneath the eyes.  These swollen blood vessels press against the thin under-eye skin and the dark colour shows through. The rubbing and scratching can also stimulate melanocyctes (melanin-producing cells) darkening pigmentation in the area.

Nasal congestion

Blocked nasal passages can cause dark circles because the veins from your eyes to your nose can become dilated and darken.

Vitamin deficiencies and poor nutrition

Poor nutrition can lead to vitamin deficiencies, specifically B vitamins (such as a B12 deficiency from anaemia), vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin K and can result in dark circles. Vitamins are also needed for adrenal gland function.  When the adrenal gland is fatigued from stress, excess consumption of caffeine, alcohol and sugar, vitamin absorption is impaired, resulting in facial puffiness and dark circles.


Lack of water causes dehydration, which causes blood vessels to become dilated and swollen.  Also avoid too much alcohol and caffeine which can dehydrate the body, as well as disrupt sleep.  Alcohol also decreases the flow of oxygen to the skin, as does smoking.


Smoking causes vascular problems, constricting the blood vessels, resulting in poor circulation and making the blood vessels appear more prominent and darker.


In addition to possibly causing anaemia, your monthly cycle can cause hormonal-induced dark circles and puffiness due to water retention and PMS.  Cut down on salty foods, carbohydrates and excess fluids.  Other hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause) can also cause blood vessels to swell.

Lack of sleep

While it is not the major cause of dark under-eye circles, lack of sleep can lead to stress and other health problems, creating paler, tired-looking skin and making shadows and dark circles more noticeable.

Tear trough deformity

The other major cause of dark under eye circles is a depression beneath the lower eyelids called a tear trough deformity.

Tear trough deformity is usually commonly inherited over time due to the normal loss of tissue under the orbital rim area. In the event that a tear trough deformity exists, a temporary filling agent such as Restylane or Juvederm can be placed in the valley to plump up the depression, which improves the appearance of the dark circles. The treatment is not painful, and it is a one-time procedure performed after a small amount of numbing cream has been applied to the skin.

(Results will vary from person to person.)

Treatment of dark circles.

The Solihull Medical Cosmetic Clinic under the supervision of Dr. Sagoo provides a range of cosmetic treatments to improve appearance of under eye dark circles.

  • IPL ( intense pulsed light)

Using high intensity light, a wavelength that is absorbed by the brown pigment in dark skin, the dark colouration under the eye can be improved over a series of three to four sessions. There is no down time although using high factor sun block is recommended.

  • Carboxytherapy

This is a new technique offered by the Solihull Medical Cosmetic Clinic which targets the build up of “venous pooling” under the eye area. Using carbon dioxide gas the treatment helps to address this problem.  The capillary network of the lower eyelids can become congested for a variety of reasons.  Normally, the tears drain from the eyelids into the nose, but if there is some obstruction due to chronic nasal congestion from seasonal allergies or a nasal fracture, the drainage does not function well, and the blood flow to the lower eyelids slows down, leading to a blue tinge under the eye. The lack of appropriate oxygenation to the lower eyelid skin leads to a bluish colour to show through the thin skin of the eyelids.


By injecting a small amount of carbon dioxide gas into the affected areas, blood flow is increased and improved capillary networks are formed for longer lasting circulatory benefit. The bluish colour is replaced with a healthy pink tone. A series of four to six sessions is recommended, with maintenance 6 monthly, skin has a more luminous appearance and is safe on all skin types.  In addition home skin lightening creams are also prescribed to improve the colouration.

(Results will vary from person to person.)

  • Tear Trough Deformity

In the event that a tear trough deformity exists, a temporary filling agent such as Restylane can be placed in the valley to help plump up the depression, which may improve the appearance of the dark circles.  The treatment is not painful, and it is a one-time procedure performed after a small amount of numbing cream has been applied to the skin. The results may give an immediate lifting under the eye to improve hollows and instantly take years off tired looking eyes.  Dr. Sagoo has treated hundreds of clients with this procedure as it is a skilled advanced treatment and needs to be done carefully and can give dramatic improvements.

Treating Dark Circles Before

Before prominent tear troughs

Treating Dark Circles After

After injectable filler

  • Glycolic Peels

Glycolic peels and homecare solutions.  Glycolic peels break apart the dead cell layer and bring fresher skin to the surface, which may reduce pigmentation around the eyes as well as improve skin texture.

  • Laser Resurfacing

Using a CO2 laser under eyes in white skinned individuals, may help remove increased pigmentation by peeling the skin after a “controlled burn” to the skin.  This may also improve fine lines, wrinkles and texture.  Under eye muscle relaxing injections is advised if there are wrinkles and fine lines under the eyes, causing the darkening.

  • Exclusive Dark eyes Peels (One of the  few in UK)

Dark eyes peel

The eye peel is highly effective and reduces excessive pigmentation production in the skin safely.  The products natural-based ingredients build up in the skin over a number of weeks, resulting in a gradual slowing down in melanin production and normalising excessive levels. As a result, new lighter skin cells migrate to the skin surface, replacing older, darker skin through natural shedding which is encouraged by a mild exfoliant.

The eye peel utilises a combination of 4 ingredients to target 4 different stages of pigmentation manufacture while not damaging the melanocyte (the cells which make pigment) and also not releasing potential carcinogens.

The eye peel does not contain hydroquinone, yet it is just as effective and eliminates the risks associated with this dangerous ingredient.

It targets all types of hyper pigmentation.  Ascorbic and Lactic acid suppress melanocyte activity.  LC has 4 synergistic active ingredients comparable to 4% hydroquinone, but contains no hydroquinone or derivatives.

The areas of the face which show our age the most are the peri-ocular (around the eyes) and peri-orbital areas (around the lips). The eye peel is a gel-based skin remodelling solution that is especially designed for these sensitive areas because the combination of the two acids in a gel, where you can increase the concentration gradually by layering the product, allows one to achieve similar results as you would with a high strength acid, thus limiting and controlling any irritation and reddening of these sensitive areas.

Dark eye peel is a 4 layer TCA/Lactic acid gel peel for around the eyes area.  Eyes areas including eye lid,  – acid concentration increases from 3.75% TCA to 15% and 15% Lactic acid to 60% Lactic Acid.)


 Dark eyes peel

how many treatments are needed?

Four Eye peels  (7-21 days apart) Exposure time 1-2 minutes per layer up to four layers.



Our specialist Eye Peel will:

      • Reduce lines and wrinkles on this difficult to reach area
      • Lighten dark circles and under eye bags
      • Tighten your eyelids
      • Eliminate your crow’s feet
      • Even your skin tone
      • Little or no downtime
      • Non-invasive and trouble free
      • specially designed treatment for those sensitive areas
  • Dark Eye peel  is a gel-based skin remodeling solution especially designed to target around the eye  It targets Fine Lines close to the eye, Crows Feet – which we all know and hate, pigmentation build up below and eye or on the eye lid, it is a non invasive  and trouble free treatment has little to no downtime, which essentially means you are free to carry on with your daily routine without having to hide away. 


  • Dark Eye peel   is a chemical peel and much more. It works different to the other chemical peels out there.

How does it work?

The  technology is a new, patented carrier solution which restrains the acids activity until it is absorbed fully into the skin, thereby focusing on remodeling from inside the skin. This is not buffering the acid and thereby reducing its activity; it is restraining it and then releasing it to accelerate through the skin, enhancing its activity.

  • Dark eye skin peels don’t peel they remodel by delivering treatment ingredients deep into the skin, remodelling without excessive exfoliation and surface trauma. The Dark eye peel emphasis is on remodelling, restructuring, rejuvenating, reducing sun and age damage and controlling skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, thread veins, pigmentation, skin tightening and rejuvenation  with minimal downtime ensuring you can carry on with life as normal.

Before hyper pigmentation upper and lower eyelid

(Results will vary from person to person.)

After 2 peels
(Results will vary from person to person.)

After 3 peels

(Results will vary from person to person.)
After 4 peels hyper pigmentation diminished
Also improves fine lines and wrinkles and skin rejuvenation

(Results will vary from person to person.)
Before eye peel fine lines

(Results will vary from person to person.)

After eye peel diminished lines

Patients also report a tightening affect from the peels as well as feeling rejuvenated around the eye area.

  • Skin Care Products

The clinic provides a range of skin lightening creams such as Arbutin and Kojic acid, as well as Vitamin A retoinoid creams, collagen stimulating and skin rejuvenation creams to help keep the skin healthy looking.

How can dark circles be prevented?

1)  Getting enough sleep is the best preventive measure

2) Cessation of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

3) Avoiding allergens which are substances that stimulate allergic reactions

4) Giving intermittent rest to the eyes during long working hours

5) An Iron rich diet

6) Use of medically advised under eye creams containing Hyaluronic acid, and natural skin lightening agents

What must one remember whilst undergoing these treatments?

1)      None of the treatments is effective on its own and there is always a need for combined   approaches to the management of dark circles.

2)      Most effective treatment occurs when the underlying cause is determined.

3)      Every skin is different, just like every individual is unique.

4)      Dr Sagoo is a trained expert with ample years of experience for treating under eye dark circles.

You must have realistic expectations.

Cost of dark circles treatment?

Stressful lifestyles, environmental pollution and sun exposure may cause unsightly dark circles which mar your face and dull your eyes’ sparkle.  Dark circle treatment is one such treatment that can lighten or eliminate dark circles.

The cost of dark circle treatment varies from person to person, and the number of treatments that you will need to lighten your under-eye area.  However, since your eyes are very delicate, you should not decide where to undergo treatment on the basis of cost alone.  Choose a reputed cosmetic doctor and clinic to undergo your procedure.

Improving our appearance is a goal that we all tend to have.  At The Solihull Medical Cosmetic Clinic, we have helped many patients undergo treatments that make them feel younger.

For further information and a free consultation with Dr Sagoo please call us on 0845 603 6150.