Dark Circle
Dark circles have three distinct causes: increased melanin (pigmented), visible blood vessels (vascular), or volume loss creating shadows (structural). Genetics, thinning skin, poor circulation, and lack of sleep can all play a role — and the right treatment depends entirely on which type you have.
Book a Free ConsultationA relaxed, no-pressure skin assessment — there's no obligation to book treatment that day.
Understanding the cause
Pigmented
Increased melanin production under the thin under-eye skin creates a brown-toned discoloration, often genetic.
Vascular
Thin under-eye skin can make underlying blood vessels more visible, creating a blue-purple cast, often worsened by poor sleep or circulation.
Structural
Volume loss around the eye creates a hollow that casts its own shadow, regardless of skin tone or blood vessels.
Facts about Dark Circle
Sleep Isn't the Only Cause
Genetics and structural volume loss play a bigger role for many people than lack of sleep alone.
Not All Circles Are Pigmentation
A blue-purple cast is usually vascular, not melanin — and brightening creams won't fix it.
Concealer Can't Fix a Shadow
If the cause is structural (a hollow casting shadow), only volume restoration changes the shadow itself.
Multiple Causes Can Overlap
Many people have some combination of all three types, which is why a single product rarely resolves it completely.
Each treatment below targets one specific cause — pigment, blood vessels, or volume loss — so it only works if it's matched to yours.
Top questions about dark circle
How do I know which type of dark circle I have?
A consultation can usually tell within minutes by checking whether the discoloration changes when the skin is stretched (structural) versus stays constant (pigmented or vascular).
Will under-eye filler make me look puffy?
When placed correctly by an experienced injector, filler softens hollows without adding visible puffiness — technique matters more than product here.
Can I have more than one type at once?
Yes, and it's common — treatment plans often combine approaches when causes overlap.
Do at-home eye creams help at all?
They can support skin quality and hydration, but structural or vascular causes typically need an in-clinic treatment to see real change.
Let's find out what's causing your dark circles.
The right fix depends on the cause — book a consultation to find yours.
A relaxed, no-pressure skin assessment — there's no obligation to book treatment that day.
Book a Free Consultation
Dark circle treatment in Vancouver only works when it's matched to the actual cause — pigmented, vascular, and structural dark circles all look similar but need different approaches entirely. At Kerrisdale Skin Medical, we take a personalized, multi-layered approach: laser for excess melanin, targeted treatment for circulation-related discoloration, and dermal filler where volume loss is creating a shadow. Rather than guessing, we identify which of the three is driving your specific case before recommending a plan.
