At some points, people experience dark under-eye circles. This condition may result from poor blood circulation beneath the eyes or the presence of excess melanin. The latter tends to cause hyperpigmentation when secreted in excessive amounts. Other factors, like lifestyle and aging, play specific roles in creating dark circles. If there is a lack of flow of blood and lymphatic liquid within the eye region, the individual may experience vascular dark circles. In some cases, the effects are mild, while others can be severe.
In this guide, we review the following: Is laser treatment for dark circles safe, What are the disadvantages of laser on face, How many sessions does laser dark circles have, and Is laser therapy safe for eyes?
Is laser treatment for dark circles safe
Laser treatments are effective in addressing dark circles below the eyes. There are several laser options. Each of them has its merits and demerits. For ablative lasers, garnet laser procedure and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser procedure are most people’s go-to options. On the other hand, non-ablative laser treatment may include the use of Q-switched laser, pulsed dye lasers, and fractional lasers.
How Effective Are Lasers in Treating Dark Circles?
The quality of results seen after a laser treatment depends on the laser device’s pulse features, wavelength, and radiant exposure. In treating dark circles, the laser light produced may be of low or high intensity, which is focused on the targeted area. The type of dark circle being treated also determines the effectiveness of the procedure. Here is a breakdown of the classification of dark circles.
A certified dermatologist will recommend the ideal laser treatment option by examining the type of dark circles present.
More Read
It will suffice to state that laser procedures are effective in treating dark circles. They can reduce hyperpigmentation, rejuvenating the skin cells by heating the treatment area. Before undergoing treatment, the doctor knows the type of treatment option to use, either ablative or non-ablative. The former treats the affected part, removing the layers with excessive melanin. There is also stimulation of the blood vessels beneath the epidermis. On the other hand, non-ablative procedures provide the skin with firmness by stimulating the production of collagen in the treatment area.
Ideal Candidates for Treatment
Dark circle laser procedures have minimal side effects and are ideal for many individuals. However, people with darker skin tones may experience adverse effects related to pigment alteration. These conditions are more likely to occur when undergoing ablative laser treatments than non-ablative options. Lasers with high-density and high-energy lights are highly effective in treating dark circles. However, they may leave skin discolouration effects unintentionally.
There is also a likelihood that these individuals experience rebound hyperpigmentation. This condition occurs when dark circles reappear in the eye region after treatment. For this reason, there may be limitations to the type of lasers available for the procedure. But with the expertise and experience of a highly-trained and certified dermatologist, working with laser devices on dark skin tones should pose little or no challenge.
The patient has a role to play by seeking professional guidance before undergoing treatment. During the consultation, the doctor addresses factors, like sensitivity to determine the laser type and intensity that is ideal in treating dark circles.
Dark Circle Laser Treatment Procedure
On the treatment day, the dermatologist applies a topical anaesthetic or numbing cream to the targeted area to give the patient comfort during the session. Once done, this specialist passes a long device under the eye, covering one small area per time as the treatment proceeds. Some effects experienced may include inflammation or flushing. These physical changes fade quickly. The specialist repeats the process across the lower eye region. The average treatment time is one hour.
It is worth noting that the eyes are prone to laser damage. As such, safety is a top priority. Avoid seeking the services of a non-certified dermatologist when treating dark circles. Additionally, adhere to pre-treatment and post-treatment instructions. The professional will, most likely, recommend the use of eye protection during the procedure.
Post-Treatment Care
Once the procedure is complete, the dermatologist provides the patient with instructions to follow to reduce complications and ensure long-lasting results. Interestingly, dark circle laser treatment is minimally invasive and has less downtime. But the recovery rate may vary based on the individual and the treatment option. Kindly note that ablative procedures come with more side effects, compared to its counterparts. Also, the recovery duration is longer than the other as well. The reason for this is based on the fact that the treatment involves the removal of skin layers. On the other hand, non-ablative treatment penetrates the epidermis, addressing the tissues beneath it.
The recovery rate may take a few days – three days tops. During this period, the patient must rest. In rare cases, it takes longer than that. The individual may experience flushing, itching, and swelling in the treated area. Non-ablative treatments take a few hours of downtime, after which, the patient can return to normal work activities. Medical practitioners recommend less exposure to sunlight to reduce the risk of skin damage. And when outside, patients are to use high SPF sunscreens several times daily.
How Much Do Dark Circle Laser Treatments Cost?
Several factors may affect the treatment fee when undergoing a laser procedure. Some of them include the laser type, the dermatologist’s skill and experience, and the clinic’s location. The cost of treating dark circles may range from $300 to $600 per session. For most individuals, the recommended number of sessions is three before the results are fully visible. There is no health insurance coverage for dark circle laser treatments as well. Nevertheless, there are affordable pricing plans.
What are the disadvantages of laser on face
The process of laser hair removal is typically not painful, but the skin may hurt or feel tender afterward. Side effects of laser hair removal can also include irritation, changes in skin color, crusting, and more.
Laser hair removal is popular with people wanting a solution to hair removal that is more permanent than some other methods. Using lasers to remove hair works by stopping the hair follicles from growing new hairs.
Before embarking on the therapy, however, people should make themselves aware of some side effects of laser hair removal, as well as some myths that surround the process.
For most people, laser hair removal is a safe way to get rid of hair in unwanted places permanently or for long periods of time.
A few different side effects can appear after laser hair removal. Most side effects are minor and temporary. Anyone experiencing lasting side effects should consult their dermatologist.
Redness and irritation
Laser hair removal damages the follicles of the targeted hairs. The body reacts to this, and many people experience redness and irritation in the affected areas. The skin may tingle or feel tender, and may even appear to swell slightly.
The symptoms are usually short-lived. The affected area may look similar to skin that has just been waxed or plucked. Some dermatologists use a topical anesthetic to reduce how much a person’s skin reacts to the process.
Irritation should ease after the initial reaction, usually within a few hours of the treatment. Swelling and redness may respond well to ice packs or a cool bath.
Crusting
Some people may experience skin crusting in the affected area. This is typically a minor issue but can be inconvenient.
Crusting can sometimes lead to scabbing or scarring. By taking care of the treated area after laser removal, such as by using a moisturizer, a person may prevent any lasting issues from this treatment.
Changes in skin color
Some people may notice minor color changes to the treated area of skin. It may get slightly darker or lighter, following laser hair removal.
People with lighter skin may be more likely to experience darker pigmentation changes. People with darker skin tones may be more prone to lighter pigmentation changes. These changes tend to fade away over time, and the skin returns to normal.
Eye injury
The hair removal procedure involves the use of powerful lasers. This means there is a risk of potentially serious eye injury, especially when a practitioner is working on a person’s face.
Both the person receiving the treatment and the practitioner should wear protective eye equipment to help prevent injury while the procedure is carried out.
Risk of skin infection
As with other cosmetic hair removal methods, damaging hair follicles with a laser can create an infection risk.
The affected area should be treated as a wound while it heals. People should report any signs of infection to a dermatologist.
Finally, they should not apply over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic creams to large areas of skin if an infection arises.
Less common side effects following laser hair removal can include the following:
Burns and blisters
There is a risk of burns and blisters if laser hair removal is not done correctly.
When a qualified practitioner carries out the process, however, burns and blisters are rare.
Laser hair removal uses high-heat lasers.
A practitioner may apply a cooling device to a person’s skin just before the laser is used. This helps to prevent the laser from burning the skin.
Scars
Scars are typically not a side effect of laser hair removal. However, if the practitioner makes an error, scarring can occur. This should not be an issue with most qualified practitioners.
Scars may also form if people do not care for the treated area correctly afterward.
They should treat the affected skin as if it had been sunburned to avoid further damage. This means keeping it moisturized, protected from light, and checked regularly for signs of infection.
The majority of people who use it find that laser hair removal is safe and well-tolerated. There do not appear to be any long-term health risks associated with the procedure.
However, some people may experience minor side effects after laser hair removal. People should ask their dermatologist to test how a small patch of skin reacts to the treatment before having it done on a larger area of skin.
People wishing to have laser hair removal treatment should always use a fully-qualified practitioner.
For a couple of days after treatment, the affected skin may become red and tender. Many people describe the sensation as similar to a sunburn. The process itself, however, is typically not painful.
Laser hair removal therapy does work, but it rarely achieved permanent hair removal. Laser treatment can significantly reduce hair growth, nevertheless.
After the first treatment, many people will only be hair-free for a few months. The hairs will eventually grow back, though they are often finer, lighter, and less likely to be noticed than before.
Many people will require multiple sessions to achieve a more permanent or satisfactory solution to unwanted hair. The hair may grow back lighter and thinner with each subsequent session. After enough treatments, it may stop growing back altogether.
Laser hair removal may also be more effective on dark hair. People with blond, reddish, or grey hairs may not notice much of a change, as laser lights are attracted to dark hair and are often not successful on light hair.
Experts do not recommend laser hair removal for people who are pregnant. This is because scientists have not carried out any human studies that prove the safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy.
Pregnancy causes hormonal changes in a person’s body. This can commonly cause extra hairs to grow in unwanted places. While this growth can be embarrassing, the hairs often go away on their own.
If the hairs do not go away unaided, a person may want to try laser treatment after their pregnancy. Doctors may ask them to wait a few weeks after giving birth before they have the treatment.
There are several unfounded myths surrounding laser hair removal:
How many sessions does laser dark circles have
At some points, people experience dark under-eye circles. This condition may result from poor blood circulation beneath the eyes or the presence of excess melanin. The latter tends to cause hyperpigmentation when secreted in excessive amounts. Other factors like lifestyle and aging play specific roles in creating dark circles. If there is a lack of the flow of blood and lymphatic liquid within the eye region, the individual may experience vascular dark circles. In some cases, the effects are mild, while others can be severe.
Laser treatments are effective in addressing dark circles below the eyes. There are several laser options. Each of them has its merits and demerits. For ablative lasers, garnet laser procedure and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser procedure are most people’s go-to options. On the other hand, non-ablative laser treatment may include the use of Q-switched laser, pulsed dye lasers, and fractional lasers.
How Long Does Laser Treatment for Dark Circles Last
The quality of results seen after a laser treatment depends on the laser device’s pulse features, wavelength, and radiant exposure. In treating dark circles, the laser light produced may be of low or high intensity, which is focused on the targeted area. The type of dark circle being treated also determines the effectiveness of the procedure. Here is a breakdown of the classification of dark circles.
A certified dermatologist will recommend the ideal laser treatment option by examining the type of dark circles present.
More Read
It will suffice to state that laser procedures are effective in treating dark circles. They can reduce hyperpigmentation, rejuvenating the skin cells by heating the treatment area. Before undergoing treatment, the doctor knows the type of treatment option to use, either ablative or non-ablative. The former treats the affected part, removing the layers with excessive melanin. There is also stimulation of the blood vessels beneath the epidermis. On the other hand, non-ablative procedures provide the skin with firmness by stimulating the production of collagen in the treatment area.
Ideal Candidates for Treatment
Dark circle laser procedures have minimal side effects and are ideal for many individuals. However, people with darker skin tones may experience adverse effects related to pigment alteration. These conditions are more likely to occur when undergoing ablative laser treatments than non-ablative options. Lasers with high-density and high-energy lights are highly effective in treating dark circles. However, they may leave skin discolouration effects unintentionally.
There is also a likelihood that these individuals will experience rebound hyperpigmentation. This condition occurs when dark circles reappear in the eye region after treatment. For this reason, there may be limitations to the type of lasers available for the procedure. But with the expertise and experience of a highly-trained and certified dermatologist, working with laser devices on dark skin tones should pose little or no challenge.
The patient has a role to play by seeking professional guidance before undergoing treatment. During the consultation, the doctor addresses factors, like sensitivity to determine the laser type and intensity that is ideal in treating dark circles.
Dark Circle Laser Treatment Procedure
On the treatment day, the dermatologist applies a topical anaesthetic or numbing cream to the targeted area to give the patient comfort during the session. Once done, this specialist passes a long device under the eye, covering one small area per time as the treatment proceeds. Some effects experienced may include inflammation or flushing. These physical changes fade quickly. The specialist repeats the process across the lower eye region. The average treatment time is one hour.
It is worth noting that the eyes are prone to laser damage. As such, safety is a top priority. Avoid seeking the services of a non-certified dermatologist when treating dark circles. Additionally, adhere to pre-treatment and post-treatment instructions. The professional will, most likely, recommend the use of eye protection during the procedure.
Post-Treatment Care
Once the procedure is complete, the dermatologist provides the patient with instructions to follow to reduce complications and ensure long-lasting results. Interestingly, dark circle laser treatment is minimally invasive and has less downtime. But the recovery rate may vary based on the individual and the treatment option. Kindly note that ablative procedures come with more side effects, compared to its counterparts. Also, the recovery duration is longer than the other as well. The reason for this is based on the fact that the treatment involves the removal of skin layers. On the other hand, non-ablative treatment penetrates the epidermis, addressing the tissues beneath it.
The recovery rate may take a few days – three days tops. During this period, the patient must rest. In rare cases, it takes longer than that. The individual may experience flushing, itching, and swelling in the treated area. Non-ablative treatments take a few hours of downtime, after which, the patient can return to normal work activities. Medical practitioners recommend less exposure to sunlight to reduce the risk of skin damage. And when outside, patients are to use high SPF sunscreens several times daily.
How Much Do Dark Circle Laser Treatments Cost?
Several factors may affect the treatment fee when undergoing a laser procedure. Some of them include the laser type, the dermatologist’s skill and experience, and the clinic’s location. The cost of treating dark circles may range from $300 to $600 per session. For most individuals, the recommended number of sessions is three before the results are fully visible. There is no health insurance coverage for dark circle laser treatments as well. Nevertheless, there are affordable pricing plans.
Is Laser Treatment for Dark Circles Safe for Face
Our eyes are put under more pressure and strain these days than never before. We spend long hours in front of computer screens at work and of tablets, smart phones and ebooks back at home. It is therefore no surprise than more and more people suffer from vision problems.
Dr. Victor Derhartunian of the prestigious EYELASER Augenlaser Praxis clinic in Vienna explains everything you need to know about eye laser treatments and surgery.
What are the advantages of eye laser treatments?
There are four main advantages to getting eye laser treatment:
1. Your life quality is increased as you no longer need to wear contact lenses or glasses. You have a higher risk of catching a contact lens related infection by wearing contact lenses than during the surgery.
2. Laser eye corrections have proven to be safe and effective. However, like any other medical treatment, it is important to chose an experienced and qualified surgeon.
3. The procedure is quick – it lasts less tan 10 minutes – and is generally painless. The laser is computer guided, which means that it‘s very precise and results are very accurate.
4. With laser eye treatments, it is posible to correct most levels of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (fairsightedness) and astigmatism.
What are the disadvantages, if any, of getting an eye laser treatment?
In some cases, especially in people with large pupils the night vision might get worse. Also due to individual healing, the results might vary from patient to patient (overcorrection or undercorrection ). However in most cases an enhancement is possible.
In general, laser eye surgery causes mostly only transitional dry-eye symptoms. To avoid this, it‘s necessary to moisturize the ocular surface. It should also be noted that not everybody is a candidate for laser surgery, hence a careful selection is required!
Which is the most effective eye laser surgery?
We differentiate 2 big groups depending on the technique used:
Techniques without a cut(PRK/LASEK/no-touch-PRK): reserved for people with thinner corneas, low visual defects and for corneas with certain irregularities. There is no need for corneal lamellar cut but a severe postoperative pain is a side effect. Due to prolonged healing a good vision might take up to 3-4 months. Its main advantage is a lower cost.
Techniques with a cut (Lasik/femto-Lasik): higher corrections are possible. Patients have a rapid visual rehabilitation and good vision is possible even several hours following the surgery. Some complications may occur related to the corneal lamellar (flap). Using the femtosecond laser technology, those complications have been drastically decreased.
Bottom Line
Laser technology provides long-lasting solutions in treating dark circles beneath the eyes. There are several procedures available to address the type of dark circle experienced. The certified dermatologist will identify the best option for a patient’s condition using medical records and examination. Using this approach, there will be fewer adverse effects experienced after the procedure.
If the dark circles stem from pigmentation-related problems, patients may undergo garnet, CO2, Q-switched, or fractional laser treatment. In contrast, individuals with vascular dark circles are to undergo treatment using a pulsed dye laser procedure. Before option for dark circle laser treatment, discuss with a reputable doctor to find the best option.
