{
  "what": "Dark eye circles are one complaint with three diagnoses: brown circles from pigment in the skin, blue-violet circles from blood vessels showing through thin skin, and shadow circles cast by a hollow tear trough. Many people have a mix, and each type has a different mechanism and a different approach, which is why one eye cream or filler for every case disappoints. Dr Sin Yong, an aesthetic physician on Orchard Road, Singapore, identifies which types are present before planning any treatment.",
  "key_facts": [
    "Stretch test: draw the skin gently sideways; a shadow shallows, a bluish vascular tone persists, and pigment moves with the skin without fading",
    "Press and light tests: vascular colour may blanch briefly then refill; overhead light deepens a structural shadow and direct frontal light flattens it, while pigment barely changes. These give clues, not a diagnosis",
    "Drivers: pigment from genetics (especially South and Southeast Asian skin), rubbing, eczema and sun; vascular from thin under-eye skin, congestion and allergy; structural from tear trough hollowing and mid-cheek volume descent. Lack of sleep deepens the vascular type for a while but does not cause it alone",
    "Pigment approach: sun protection up to the lower lid, lightening topicals and cautious pigment laser; Dr Sin Yong's preferred laser for pigment under the eyes is R2T2 (R2 Glow + T2 Frax Radiance)",
    "Vascular and structural approach: skin-quality treatment such as polynucleotides, skin boosters and calibrated laser for thin skin over vessels; tear trough and mid-cheek support for a hollow",
    "Does not work: more sleep for a structural shadow, caffeine rollers beyond a brief effect, bleaching creams on a vascular circle, vigorous rubbing, and filler for every dark circle by default, which can add puffiness",
    "Medical signs: new swelling of both eyelids, a one-sided circle or swelling, a bulging eye or change in vision, dark circles with tiredness, pallor or breathlessness, or itchy, scaly darkening skin suggesting eczema or contact allergy",
    "Separate problems: eye bags and under-eye lines need their own assessment"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Treatments of Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: A Systematic Review. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32740208/",
    "Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: Review of Etiology, Medical Evaluation, and Aesthetic Treatment. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. https://jddonline.com/articles/periorbital-hyperpigmentation-review-of-etiology-medical-evaluation-and-aesthetic-treatment-S1545961614P0472X/",
    "Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26962392/",
    "A review of the efficacy of popular eye cream ingredients. International Journal of Women's Dermatology 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38873621/"
  ],
  "owner_url": "https://drsinyong.com/dark-eye-circles-types/",
  "doctor": "Dr Sin Yong, aesthetic physician, Orchard Road, Singapore",
  "updated": "2026-10-31"
}