Black and dark circles treatment

The skin around the eyes takes on a colour: dark, brown, purplish or even reddish, which accentuates a tired, aged appearance. The transparent effect is due to the extreme thinness of the eyelid membrane, which makes the blood vessels underneath visible. Black, dark or brown circles are thought to be caused by localised hyperpigmentation of the skin, which is more common in certain populations (North African, Indian and others). The effectiveness of nano-lipofilling suggests, however, that here too the mechanism involved is skin transparency.

Nano-lipofilling, also known as “nano fat grafting”, is a technique derived from lipofilling. Rinsed, cleaned and defibrosed, the fat is then passed through several sieves to extract a fraction rich in stem cells and growth factors that favour the regeneration of skin tissue. The resulting compound is injected into the area to be treated: within a few weeks it thickens the dermis and creates a layer between the thin skin of the eyelids and the capillaries beneath. The transparency disappears and the colour of the dark circles fades considerably. This is one of the effective techniques for treating coloured or pigmented circles. Micro-lipofilling is also performed if the dark circles are hollow as well. Beyond the treatment of dark and tinted circles, nano-lipofilling opens the way to a new aesthetic medicine through its regenerative effects.

An initial consultation allows Dr Hayot to confirm the indication and examine the patient’s dark circles. Based on the diagnosis, your practitioner draws up a treatment plan for your lipofilling in Paris, Neuilly-sur-Seine or Versailles. A number of recommendations must be followed before the procedure:

• Obtain the prescribed medication (such as dry eye drops) in advance.
• Stop taking anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Make an appointment with the anaesthetist at least 48 hours before the operation. Blood tests will be requested.
• Fast for 8 hours before the procedure.

The operation is performed as a day case. It lasts about an hour, usually under local anaesthetic. The surgeon removes a small amount of fat from the abdomen, the thighs or behind the knee. The fat is then cleaned, defibrosed and filtered to obtain a stem cell compound free of adipocytes. The cells are then injected into the lower eyelids with a fine cannula. They spread and graft onto the cells already present, ensuring progressive skin regeneration.

Results appear gradually, over several weeks, and become permanent after a few months. The dark circles become less visible until they fade completely. A clear improvement in the quality of the eyelid skin can also be seen. The after-effects of the procedure are slight. A few bruises may appear but fade within a few days. Ice compresses can be applied to speed up their resolution. Social downtime of 5 to 7 days is necessary.

They are rare or absent. It is essential, however, to consult a practitioner with dual expertise in nano-lipofilling and aesthetic eyelid surgery. It is also important that the medical team is trained in the fat processing procedure, which has a major influence on the success of the injection. Dr Hayot also trains colleagues in nano-lipofilling, a technique that is still not widely used in France.

The cost of the procedure depends on each patient’s indications and needs. A personalised estimate will be provided at the end of the first consultation. It takes into account the fees of Dr Hayot, the anaesthetist and the hospital staff, as well as equipment costs and clinic fees.