Dark Circles & Under Eye Treatment

Treatments › Skin Treatments › Dark Circles

Dark circles, hollowing, fine lines, and puffiness under the eyes are among the most common aesthetic concerns raised in consultations — and among the hardest to treat with skincare alone. The under-eye area has the thinnest skin on the face, minimal fat padding, and a dense vascular network that makes it uniquely prone to showing tiredness, ageing, and volume loss.

For patients in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, these concerns are frequently accelerated by chronic UV exposure, dehydration, long screen hours, disrupted sleep patterns, and the environmental stress of the Gulf climate.

Dr Azra Vaziri offers personalised under-eye assessment and treatment at her clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, using regenerative and structural approaches including tear trough filler, polynucleotides, and PRP that address the specific causes behind your dark circles — not just the surface appearance. Additional complementary options include Profhilo for periorbital bio-remodelling and mesotherapy for targeted skin nourishment. For a comprehensive overview, read our complete guide to under-eye treatments in Dubai.

Under-eye concerns present differently for each patient. You may recognise one or more of the following:

The under-eye area is complex — dark circles alone can have four or five different causes. A clinical assessment helps identify what is driving your specific concern, so treatment can be targeted rather than generic.

The causes of under-eye concerns are often layered. Understanding which factors are most relevant to your case is essential for effective treatment.

Volume loss and structural change — As you age, fat pads under the eyes thin and descend, and bone resorption creates a deeper orbital rim. This produces the hollow, sunken look that shadows the under-eye area. Our guide to under-eye filler explains when volume restoration is the right approach.

Vascular dark circles — The under-eye skin is thin enough to reveal underlying blood vessels. Poor circulation, allergies, and fatigue dilate these vessels, producing the bluish-purple discolouration many patients notice.

Pigmentary dark circles — Excess melanin production in the periorbital area, often genetic or worsened by sun exposure, creates brown-toned discolouration that sits in the skin itself rather than beneath it.

Thin, crepey skin — Collagen and elastin loss in the delicate under-eye area causes the skin to become thinner, less elastic, and more prone to fine lines. UV exposure and dehydration in Dubai’s climate accelerate this process. Learn more about how polynucleotides work to rebuild skin quality at the dermal level.

Lifestyle and environmental factors — Chronic sleep deprivation, screen fatigue, stress, dehydration, high sodium intake, and the UAE’s climate (UV, heat, air conditioning) all contribute to puffiness, dullness, and accelerated ageing around the eyes.

Genetics — Some patients have naturally deeper orbital anatomy, thinner skin, or a predisposition to hyperpigmentation that makes dark circles visible from a young age.

Dr Azra Vaziri offers several non-surgical approaches to under-eye rejuvenation. The right treatment — or combination — depends on the specific cause of your concern, which is assessed during your consultation.

Polynucleotide Under-Eye Treatment

Polynucleotides (PN/PDRN) — derived from purified salmon DNA — are among the most effective treatments for the delicate under-eye area. They stimulate fibroblast activity, boost collagen and elastin production, and deeply hydrate the thin periorbital skin without adding volume or weight. Brands such as Rejuran, Plinest, and Ameela are commonly used for this indication. For patients with periorbital laxity, polynucleotides can be combined with RF microneedling for enhanced tightening.

Best for: Dark circles, crepey skin, skin thinning, fine lines, overall under-eye quality

Sessions: 3–4 initial, spaced 3–4 weeks apart

Compare: Profhilo vs Polynucleotides →

Sunekos Under-Eye Biostimulation

Sunekos is a patented combination of hyaluronic acid and a specific blend of amino acids designed to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix. It is particularly well suited to the under-eye area because it regenerates the dermal structure without adding filler-like volume, reducing the risk of puffiness or migration.

Best for: Hollow tear troughs, crepey skin, fine lines, skin laxity around the eyes

Sessions: 3–4 initial, spaced 1–2 weeks apart

Tear Trough Filler

For patients with significant hollowing or volume loss in the tear trough, carefully placed hyaluronic acid filler can restore the smooth contour between the lower eyelid and cheek. This is a precision technique that requires advanced injector skill — the under-eye area is one of the most technically demanding zones on the face. Dr Azra uses specialised thin-consistency fillers including Belotero Balance and Teosyal Redensity II. Patients with volume loss in adjacent areas may benefit from combined treatment with cheek filler or temple filler for comprehensive periorbital rejuvenation.

Best for: Moderate to deep tear trough hollowing, shadow-based dark circles from volume loss

Sessions: Typically 1 session; results last 9–18 months

Explore all dermal filler treatments or see filler pricing.

PRP Under-Eye Rejuvenation

Concentrated growth factors from your own blood can be micro-injected under the eyes to support collagen renewal, improve skin thickness, and brighten vascular-type dark circles. Because PRP is autologous, there is virtually no risk of allergic reaction — making it well suited to the sensitive periorbital area.

Best for: Vascular dark circles, skin thinning, overall under-eye renewal

Sessions: 3–4 initial, spaced 4–6 weeks apart

Compare: PRP vs Exosome Therapy →

These treatments can be combined. A common approach is polynucleotides or Sunekos to rebuild skin quality, followed by tear trough filler only if structural volume is needed. For patients with broader skin quality concerns, exosome therapy or skin boosters may also be incorporated into the treatment plan. Complementary approaches such as Botox for crow’s feet, Dermapen microneedling for periorbital texture, or thread lifting for mid-face support may also be discussed. Dr Azra Vaziri assesses each patient individually — the goal is to address the actual cause, not apply a one-size-fits-all approach.

1. Under-Eye Assessment — Dr Azra Vaziri examines the periorbital area in detail — evaluating skin thickness, pigmentation type, vascular visibility, volume loss, and structural anatomy. Photographs may be taken under clinical lighting to map the specific causes at play.
2. Personalised Treatment Plan — Based on your assessment, a tailored protocol is designed. This may involve a single treatment, a combination approach, or a phased plan that addresses skin quality first and volume second.
3. Treatment Sessions — Most protocols involve 1–4 sessions depending on the treatment selected. Each session typically takes 30–45 minutes. A topical anaesthetic or ice is applied for comfort.
4. Recovery — Downtime is minimal for most under-eye treatments. You may experience mild swelling, redness, or small bumps at injection sites for 24–48 hours. Bruising is possible given the vascular nature of the area but typically resolves within a week.
5. Progressive Results — Regenerative treatments (polynucleotides, Sunekos, PRP) produce gradual improvement over 4–8 weeks as collagen rebuilds. Filler provides more immediate contour correction. Maintenance sessions are recommended to sustain results long term.

Who May Benefit

• Patients with persistent dark circles that do not respond to topical creams or concealer
• Those noticing hollowing, shadow, or sunkenness in the tear trough
• Fine lines, crepiness, or loss of skin elasticity around the eyes
• Patients who want a refreshed, less tired appearance without surgery
• Living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi where environmental stress accelerates periorbital ageing

Important to Know

• The under-eye area is one of the most technically demanding zones to treat — experience and precision matter
• Not all dark circles need filler — many respond better to skin quality treatments like polynucleotides or Sunekos
• Significant under-eye bags caused by fat herniation may require surgical evaluation
• Bruising is more common in the under-eye area due to its vascular nature — plan accordingly
• Underlying causes (allergies, thyroid, anaemia) should be investigated if dark circles are severe or sudden

Dark circles and under-eye ageing frequently overlap with broader skin concerns. Many patients benefit from addressing these together within a comprehensive treatment plan:

Browse all treatments under All Treatments, Skin Treatments, and Dermal Fillers.