"I had an online consultation with Nina, she is brilliant! Takes her time to understand the issues and explain the best approach. Extremely professional and such a sweet person! She recommended a skin program and has since been very supportive and available to answer any questions Best Dr! I would highly recommend her"
Common Concerns
Under-Eye Hollow & Dark Circle
Treatments in London
Dark circles are not all the same — some are caused by hollowing and shadow, others by thin or pigmented skin, and a few by fat or fluid that filler cannot help. The right treatment depends entirely on which one you have.
- What causes it
- Several different things — hollowing/shadow, thin or pigmented skin, lost cheek support, or fat bags and fluid retention
- Types of dark circle
- Shadow (hollowing), structural (fat/fluid), and pigment/skin-quality — each needs a different treatment
- Key areas
- The tear trough, the lower eyelid, and the eye-to-cheek transition
“Dark circles” is a single phrase for several different problems — and they do not all respond to the same treatment. A true hollow (the tear-trough groove) casts a shadow and can be softened with hyaluronic-acid filler; thin, crepey or fine-lined under-eye skin responds better to regenerative boosters; mild laxity or puffiness suits gentle skin tightening; and pigment, fat bags or fluid retention may need skincare, a medical opinion or surgery rather than filler. Identifying the cause is the only reliable starting point, which is why assessment comes first.
As seen in
Understanding the concern
Why the under-eye area looks hollow and shadowed
The under-eye is one of the most delicate areas of the face — the skin here is among the thinnest on the body, with little fat beneath it and a busy network of fine blood vessels close to the surface. Small changes that would go unnoticed elsewhere show up readily as shadows, darkness or a tired look, which is why this is such a common concern and such a frequently misunderstood one.
The single most important thing to understand is that “dark circles” are not one condition. The same tired appearance can come from very different causes: a genuine hollow where the tear-trough groove deepens and casts a shadow; thin or pigmented skin that lets the underlying vessels and tissue show through; loss of cheek support below; or under-eye fat bags and fluid retention that create puffiness and shadow. Each of these needs a different approach — and treating the wrong cause can leave the area looking no better, or occasionally worse.
With age, the orbital fat pads can shift or herniate forward while the soft tissue and fat that once cushioned the under-eye thin and descend. This deepens the separation between eye and cheek (the tear trough) and can make any underlying darkness more obvious. Genetics, skin type, sleep, allergies and lifestyle all play a part too — so two people with identical-looking dark circles can have entirely different reasons for them, and entirely different right answers.
Tear trough filler is one of the most technically demanding treatments in aesthetics and is genuinely not suitable for everyone. True under-eye fat bags, festoons or a tendency to fluid retention can look worse with filler, and pigment-based dark circles will not lighten with it. Where filler is not the right answer, Dr Nina will say so plainly — and refer for a surgical or medical opinion where that serves you better.
Quick reference
- What causes it
- Several different things — hollowing/shadow, thin or pigmented skin, lost cheek support, or fat bags and fluid retention
- Types of dark circle
- Shadow (hollowing), structural (fat/fluid), and pigment/skin-quality — each needs a different treatment
- Key areas
- The tear trough, the lower eyelid, and the eye-to-cheek transition
- What to consider
- The true cause matters more than the label — the wrong treatment can leave the area looking no better, or worse
- Non-surgical vs surgical
- Hollowing and skin quality respond well to non-surgical options; prominent fat bags, festoons or fluid retention often need a medical or surgical opinion
Why it happens
True hollowing
The tear-trough groove deepens as under-eye and cheek volume is lost or shifts, casting a shadow that reads as a dark circle even when you are well rested.
Skin quality & pigment
Thin, crepey or fine-lined skin lets underlying vessels show through; in some skin types, true pigmentation in the skin itself contributes to the darkness.
Fat & fluid
Herniated orbital fat (eye bags), festoons or fluid retention create puffiness and shadow — a structural problem that injectables often cannot solve and may worsen.
Where it tends to show up
- A hollow or sunken groove running from the inner eye toward the cheek
- A shadow under the eye that persists even after a good night’s sleep
- Thin, crepey or finely lined skin in the lower-eyelid area
- A brown or bluish discolouration of the under-eye skin itself
- Puffiness, eye bags or a bulge that worsens through the day
- A generally tired, drawn look out of proportion to how you feel
Treatment guidance
Matching treatment to your concern
Because tired under-eyes have several different causes, the treatments that address them work in fundamentally different ways — one restores lost volume, others improve the quality of thin skin, and another gently tightens mild laxity. The right choice, or combination, depends entirely on what is actually causing your shadows. These are the presentations we see most often, and what tends to suit each — but the honest starting point is always identifying the cause.
True hollowing
Hollowing and shadow
Where the darkness is genuinely a shadow cast by a hollow tear trough — and the skin quality is good — Tear Trough Rejuvenation can restore volume with a small amount of soft hyaluronic-acid filler, softening the shadow for a more rested look. This is one of the most technically demanding filler treatments and is not suitable for everyone, so careful patient selection comes first.
Skin quality
Thin, crepey or fine-lined skin
When the issue is the quality of the under-eye skin — thin, crepey, finely lined or simply tired-looking — regenerative boosters tend to suit better than filler. Jalupro Young Eyes is formulated specifically for the peri-orbital area to soften fine lines and improve texture and tone, while Polynucleotides support the skin’s own repair to improve the look of thin, crepey under-eyes over a short course.
Pigment & darkness
Pigment-related darkness
Where the darkness comes from pigment in the skin itself, rather than a shadow, filler will not lighten it — and may make it more obvious. Improving the health and texture of the skin with regenerative boosters such as Polynucleotides or Jalupro Young Eyes can help the area look fresher, alongside medical-grade skincare and diligent sun protection. Dr Nina will be honest about what is realistic.
Mild laxity
Mild laxity and puffiness
For mild skin laxity or a little puffiness in the lower-eyelid area, gentle tightening can help. InMode Contoura — with its Forma Eye add-on — delivers controlled radiofrequency around the under-eye to lift and smooth the skin and improve the appearance of mild sagging or hollowness, with no needles and no downtime. It is suited to mild change, not to prominent fat bags.
Cause first
Why the cause comes first
It is common to combine approaches — for example improving skin quality with Polynucleotides or Jalupro Young Eyes before, or instead of, considering Tear Trough Rejuvenation. But the right plan can only follow an honest diagnosis of what is actually causing your dark circles — which is why assessment, not a default treatment, always comes first.
Prominent under-eye fat bags, festoons or persistent fluid retention generally fall outside the scope of these treatments — and where a surgical or medical opinion would serve you better, Dr Nina will say so clearly and refer appropriately.
At Facial Sculpting
What happens at your consultation
A consultation is not a commitment to treatment — it is a proper clinical assessment. Here is what to expect.
01
A full under-eye assessment
Dr Nina examines the true cause of your dark circles — distinguishing genuine hollowing from thin or pigmented skin, lost cheek support, and fat bags or fluid retention. She assesses your skin quality, the tear trough, the fat pads and the eye-to-cheek transition, because the cause determines which treatment, if any, is appropriate.
02
An honest, specific plan
If a treatment is likely to help, she recommends it specifically and explains why. If your dark circles are pigment-based, or you have prominent fat bags, festoons or fluid retention, she will tell you plainly that filler is not the answer — and refer for a surgical or medical opinion where that is the more appropriate route.
03
No obligation
Consultations are never upsells. The tear trough in particular is treated only when it is genuinely right for you. The outcome may be one treatment, a staged plan, skincare and review, or an honest “this is not for filler” — the goal is the right answer for your eyes, not a booking.
Full treatment directory
Explore the treatments
Each card links to a full treatment page with procedure details, suitability, and what to expect. Your exact route is confirmed at consultation.
Injectable
Tear Trough Rejuvenation
A small amount of soft hyaluronic-acid filler restores volume in a true under-eye hollow, softening shadows for a rested look. One of the most technically demanding filler treatments — and not suitable for everyone.
Best for: A genuine under-eye hollow and the shadow it casts, with good skin quality
Find out more
Skin booster
Polynucleotides
A regenerative injectable that supports the skin’s own repair to improve quality, hydration and texture — popular for thin, crepey under-eyes where the issue is skin quality rather than a hollow. Delivered as a short course.
Best for: Thin, crepey under-eye skin, fine lines and tired-looking dark shadows
Find out more
Skin booster
Jalupro Young Eyes
An amino-acid skin booster made specifically for the delicate peri-orbital area, supporting collagen to soften fine lines, improve texture and tone, and reduce the look of dark, tired under-eyes over a short course.
Best for: Fine lines, crepey texture and dark circles related to under-eye skin quality
Find out more
RF tightening
InMode Contoura
A non-surgical radiofrequency treatment; the Forma Eye add-on targets the under-eye to lift and smooth the skin and improve mild sagging or hollowness — needle-free, with no downtime. Suited to mild laxity, not fat bags.
Best for: Mild under-eye laxity and puffiness, gentle skin tightening
Find out moreSide by side
How the options compare
An honest comparison — the right option depends entirely on the cause of your dark circles, your skin and your anatomy. This is a guide, not a prescription.
| Treatment | Approach | Invasiveness | Downtime | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tear Trough Rejuvenation | HA filler for a true hollow | Minimally invasive | Minimal (~24h) | Hollowing & shadow, good skin |
| Jalupro Young Eyes | Amino-acid under-eye booster | Minimally invasive | Minimal | Fine lines, skin quality |
| Polynucleotides | Regenerative skin booster | Minimally invasive | Minimal | Thin, crepey under-eye skin |
| InMode Contoura | RF tightening (Forma Eye) | Non-invasive | None | Mild laxity & puffiness |
Many patients benefit from improving skin quality with Polynucleotides or Jalupro Young Eyes before considering filler — but combinations are only ever recommended where they genuinely add value, and prominent fat bags are referred for a surgical opinion. The honest right route is agreed at consultation.
Common questions
FAQs about under-eye hollows & dark circles
What is the best treatment for dark circles?
There is no single best treatment, because dark circles have several different causes. Where the darkness is a shadow cast by a hollow, Tear Trough Rejuvenation with hyaluronic-acid filler can help — but only in suitable candidates. Where the issue is thin, crepey or fine-lined skin, regenerative boosters such as Jalupro Young Eyes or Polynucleotides tend to suit better. For mild laxity or puffiness, InMode Contoura can gently tighten. Pigment-based circles respond better to skin treatments and skincare than to filler. Dr Nina identifies the true cause at consultation before recommending anything.
Why are “dark circles” so often treated with the wrong thing?
Because the same tired appearance can come from very different causes, and the obvious answer — filler — is not always the right one. A true tear-trough hollow casts a shadow that filler can soften, but thin or pigmented skin, lost cheek support, and under-eye fat bags or fluid retention each need a different approach. Placing filler when the real problem is a fat bag or pigment can leave the area looking no better, or worse. This is why Dr Nina assesses the cause first rather than defaulting to one treatment.
Can under-eye hollows be treated without surgery?
Yes — a genuine under-eye hollow, where the tear-trough groove casts a shadow, can often be softened non-surgically with a small amount of soft hyaluronic-acid filler in Tear Trough Rejuvenation, provided you are a suitable candidate. Where the skin quality is the main issue, regenerative boosters such as Jalupro Young Eyes or Polynucleotides improve the area instead. However, prominent under-eye fat bags or significant excess skin are a different matter and usually need a surgical opinion. Dr Nina will tell you honestly which category applies to you.
Is tear trough filler suitable for everyone?
No — and this is important. The tear trough is one of the most technically demanding areas in aesthetics, and suitability depends on your anatomy, skin quality and the true cause of your shadows. Prominent under-eye fat bags, festoons, a tendency to puffiness or fluid retention, very thin or lax skin, and pigment-based dark circles can all make filler unsuitable — and in some cases filler can make the area look worse. Dr Nina is openly selective and will tell you honestly if Tear Trough Rejuvenation is not right for you.
Does tear trough filler get rid of eye bags?
No — prominent under-eye fat bags are a different concern from hollowing, and adding filler around true fat bags can make them look worse rather than better. Eye bags are caused by orbital fat that has shifted or herniated forward, which is a structural problem that filler cannot remove. They are usually best assessed surgically. At consultation Dr Nina examines the under-eye carefully to distinguish a genuine hollow from fat bags or fluid retention, and will refer for a surgical opinion where that is the more appropriate route.
What is the difference between Jalupro Young Eyes and tear trough filler?
They treat different problems. Tear Trough Rejuvenation uses hyaluronic-acid filler to restore volume in a genuine hollow, softening the shadow it casts. Jalupro Young Eyes is not a filler — it is an amino-acid skin booster that improves the quality, texture and tone of thin, crepey under-eye skin and softens fine lines over a short course. If your darkness is a shadow from hollowing, filler may suit; if it is poor skin quality or fine lines, Jalupro Young Eyes may suit better. They are sometimes used together, and Dr Nina advises which is right for your cause.
Do polynucleotides help with dark circles?
They can help where dark circles relate to poor skin quality — thin, crepey or tired under-eye skin — by supporting the skin’s own repair to improve its health, texture and resilience over a short course. Where the darkness is mainly a shadow cast by a true hollow, a filler-based option such as Tear Trough Rejuvenation may be more appropriate; and where it is pigment in the skin itself, Polynucleotides can improve the look of the area but will not lighten pigment on their own. Dr Nina assesses the cause at consultation to advise honestly.
Can pigment-based dark circles be treated with filler?
No — filler addresses hollowing and the shadow it casts, not pigment within the skin. Where dark circles are caused mainly by pigmentation, placing filler will not lighten them and can sometimes make the area look more obvious. Pigment-related darkness responds better to improving the health and texture of the skin — regenerative boosters such as Polynucleotides or Jalupro Young Eyes can help the area look fresher — alongside medical-grade skincare and diligent sun protection. Dr Nina will be honest about what is realistic for pigment-based circles.
How long do tear trough fillers last?
Because the under-eye skin moves very little, results from Tear Trough Rejuvenation often last well — typically up to around 12 months, and repeat treatments can last longer. It is not permanent, and is fully reversible because it uses hyaluronic-acid filler, which can be dissolved if needed. Longevity varies with the product used, your anatomy and lifestyle. Regenerative boosters such as Jalupro Young Eyes and Polynucleotides work differently — they build skin quality over a course and are maintained with periodic top-ups rather than lasting a set length of time.
Can the under-eye area be tightened without injections?
Yes — for mild laxity or a little puffiness, InMode Contoura offers a needle-free option. Its Forma Eye add-on delivers controlled radiofrequency around the delicate under-eye to lift and smooth the skin and improve the appearance of mild sagging or hollowness, with no incisions and no downtime, over a short course of sessions. It is suited to mild change rather than prominent fat bags or significant hollowing. Dr Nina will assess whether the under-eye laxity is mild enough for radiofrequency to make a meaningful difference.
Do I need one treatment or a combination for tired under-eyes?
It depends entirely on the cause. Some people need a single treatment — for example a true hollow softened with Tear Trough Rejuvenation, or thin skin improved with a course of Jalupro Young Eyes. Others benefit from a thoughtful combination, such as improving skin quality with Polynucleotides or Jalupro Young Eyes before, or instead of, considering filler. At Facial Sculpting combinations are never recommended simply to add cost; Dr Nina assesses what would genuinely help your specific cause and concern, and her plan reflects that honestly.
Can dark circles and tired under-eyes be prevented?
Some causes can be slowed, though not entirely prevented. Daily SPF is the single most effective step, protecting the thin under-eye skin from UV-driven damage and pigmentation. Good sleep, managing allergies and a sensible skincare routine all help the area look fresher. Where skin quality is declining, regenerative boosters such as Polynucleotides or Jalupro Young Eyes can support it over time. Hollowing and fat changes are largely down to anatomy and ageing, so prevention has limits — and Dr Nina will be honest about what lifestyle and treatment can and cannot achieve.
How much do under-eye treatments cost in London?
Cost depends on which treatment is right for your cause, and the honest figure is confirmed only after assessment — because the under-eye is delicate and the wrong treatment is poor value at any price. Tear Trough Rejuvenation, the regenerative boosters Jalupro Young Eyes and Polynucleotides, and InMode Contoura with its Forma Eye add-on are each priced differently and are often delivered as courses where skin quality is being built. At Facial Sculpting the focus is on the right treatment for your eyes, not the most treatment — Dr Nina confirms your individual plan and price at consultation.
Trusted by patients
What our patients say about Facial Sculpting
Real Google reviews from verified patients — unedited and unfiltered.
★★★★★
via Google
L
Laahiri T.Patient review
★★★★★
I have tried almost so many brands and spent so much, but I have never seen this great results ever before. Dr. Nina has prescribed me a skincare routine after an online consultation. My skin’s improved so much in just 1 month.
Verified patient
A
Ashley W.Patient review
★★★★★
I’m so happy with my results from the fantastic clinic. Nina and her team were fabulous. Thank you again!
Verified patient
L
Lucy H.Patient review
★★★★★
Dr Nina is an excellent doctor and an absolute leader in facial aesthetics and dentistry. Would highly recommend!
Verified patient
L
Liz H.Patient review
★★★★★
I have been seeing Dr Nina now for a couple of years and there is nobody else I would trust with my face. I initially saw someone else and had no effect with the anti wrinkle treatments and was told they didn’t work for me. I was really conscious of a deep forehead wrinkle that I had. I then tried Dr Nina and it disappeared after the first treatment. Have been coming back since, always such a pleasant experience.
Verified patient
Why choose us
Why patients choose us for under-eyes
The under-eye is one of the most over-treated and mis-treated areas in aesthetics — tear trough filler is routinely placed in people who are not suitable candidates, often making bags or puffiness look worse. Dr Nina’s approach is different: diagnose the true cause first, treat the right layer, and decline or refer honestly where filler is not the answer.
The right cause, not a default
Dark circles have several causes that need different treatments. Dr Nina identifies whether yours is hollowing, skin quality, pigment or fat — and matches the treatment to the cause, not to the label.
Openly selective with filler
The tear trough is high-skill and not for everyone. Dr Nina would rather decline, suggest a regenerative option, or refer for a surgical opinion than place filler in an unsuitable under-eye.
Natural, rested results
A less-is-more philosophy — the aim is eyes that simply look more rested, never overfilled, puffy or “done”. Your outcome matters more than a booking.
Ready to explore your options?
GDC registeredBCAM memberSave Face PlatinumJCCP
Your practitioner
Dr Nina Bal
BDS (Hons)
GDC 208766
Save Face Platinum
JCCP
“In my practice, I focus on addressing life’s moments and the emotions they carry, rather than merely correcting lines and imperfections. I aim to provide therapies that respect and reflect the individual’s personal story.”
Accreditations & recognition
Save Face Platinum accredited
Registered with the General Dental Council
British College of Aesthetic Medicine member
Save Face COVID-19 Operational Protocol Certified
ICO — Information Commissioner's Office
JCCP — Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners
Featured in the Tatler Address Book
Hello! Aesthetics Guide
Safety in Beauty member
