Hello, I’m Dr. Guilherme Szerman, and today I’m going to talk to you about treatment for dark circles under the eyes. Dark circles are among the most challenging facial concerns to treat because they involve multiple causes: genetics, vascularization, pigmentation, and even bone structure.
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Besides affecting appearance, they directly impact the patient’s well-being, giving the impression of tiredness and aging, even in good health. This condition can compromise self-esteem and self-confidence.
Despite their complexity, it is possible to treat dark circles with good results. Among the most effective options are chemical peels, which lighten the skin, and CO₂ laser, which stimulates collagen and improves skin texture in the area. With a specialist evaluation, the ideal treatment can be safely defined.
Treatment for Dark Circles
To achieve success with dark circle treatments, it’s essential to start with a thorough patient evaluation. When the dark circles are mainly caused by pigmentation, we can treat them with peels or lasers.
How Chemical Peels Work for Dark Circles
Peels work chemically. We apply the peel to the under-eye area, the patient leaves with it on, and washes it off after a few hours. This peel penetrates and works from the inside out—on the cell and DNA level—to correct the skin irregularities that are causing the pigmentation.
Treatment for dark circles – CO₂ Laser
When dark circles are very pronounced, we can also use CO₂ laser or intense pulsed light. These are treatments that require a great deal of medical experience. Here at the clinic, we’ve been performing laser treatments for nearly 20 years, and we often receive patients from other clinics who didn’t achieve satisfactory results or who experienced burns from laser treatment for dark circles.
That’s why I always suggest seeking highly experienced professionals for CO₂ laser or intense pulsed light treatments for dark circles.
But how does this treatment work?
The laser precisely burns the pigment in a controlled way, destroying it without harming the skin. We recommend around five sessions, with one-month intervals between them. The patient must avoid excessive sun exposure, and we also prescribe certain medications to help with lightening.
Facial Fillers for Deep Dark Circles
When a person’s facial anatomy includes a hollow under-eye area, often due to bone structure, fillers may also be necessary. We use hyaluronic acid to fill the depression—otherwise, light hits the hollow and creates a shadow.
Even if you’ve treated the pigmentation with laser or intense pulsed light, if you don’t address the hollow, the dark circles will still be visible. Hyaluronic acid is the most widely used substance in dermatology, and I always recommend it.
We apply a very thin layer of filler to the depressions so it settles naturally and smoothly. Overfilling can look unnatural, so our goal is always significant improvement, not perfection—because striving for perfection often doesn’t look good. Hyaluronic acid typically lasts one to two years, and at Clínica de Pele, we work with the longer-lasting options. It is very safe and effective.
Are There Side Effects?
The most common is a small bruise at the entry point. We use a cannula, similar to a small tube, to place the filler, then gently massage the area. The patient can already see improvement immediately, but I always tell them the best results appear one to two months later—when the product fully integrates with the patient’s facial structure for a more harmonious look.
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Clínica de Pele has specialized in dermatological treatments in Rio de Janeiro for over 60 years, since 1969. Dr. Szerman has more than 20 years of experience and teaches other physicians.



