Skin Concerns · Apgujeong, Seoul

Dark Circles Under Eyes

Pigment, shadow or thin skin: find out which type of dark circle you have and treat the right one.

Quick answer

Every plan at Oaro Dermatology Clinic begins with a 1:1 skin diagnosis by a board-certified dermatologist, so the dose, device settings and session count are set for your skin rather than a template. Meet our doctors or ask about your own skin .

At a glance

Overview

What are dark circles under the eyes?

Dark circles are a darkening of the skin beneath the lower eyelid. They are one of the most common cosmetic concerns in Seoul and one of the most often mistreated, because the term covers three different problems. Pigmented dark circles are brown and come from excess melanin, often inherited or triggered by rubbing, allergy and sun. Vascular dark circles are bluish or purple and are caused by blood vessels and muscle showing through very thin eyelid skin; they worsen with fatigue, congestion and dehydration. Structural dark circles are really a shadow, cast by a hollow tear trough or a bulging fat pad above it, and look worse under overhead light.

Many people have a mixture, and the proportions change with age as skin thins and fat shifts. Lack of sleep rarely creates dark circles on its own, but it exaggerates every type.

How dark circles are diagnosed at Oaro

At Oaro Dermatology Clinic in Apgujeong, Dr. Chang-hyun Kim uses a simple stretch test, a tilt test and skin analysis imaging to separate pigment from vessels and shadow. The plan follows the diagnosis: brown pigment typically responds to Helios Pico laser toning with sun protection; thin, translucent skin is thickened with Rejuran Healer or Juvelook; and a hollow trough is softened with tear trough filler placed deep with a cannula. When eye bags contribute, Agnes RF can reduce the fat pad without surgery. Mixed cases are staged over a few visits and tracked in your care notebook.

Why patients choose Oaro

• Diagnosis and treatment by a board-certified dermatologist, not a technician
• Genuine devices and products: Ultherapy, Thermage FLX, Helios Pico, Rejuran, Juvelook
• One treatment plan, written down, with aftercare and follow-up
• Private 1:1 rooms in Cheongdam Tower, 8 minutes from Apgujeong Rodeo Station
• English-friendly coordination and clear, itemised pricing

Treatment goals

Common goals for dark circle treatment

Lighten brown pigment

Fade melanin-based darkening gradually and evenly without irritating delicate skin.

Thicken thin under-eye skin

Build dermal collagen so vessels and muscle show through less.

Fill the shadow

Smooth the transition between lower lid and cheek so overhead light no longer casts a groove.

Look rested without looking different

Keep the eye shape and expression unchanged; only the darkness should go.

Your visit

What to expect

1. Consultation & diagnosis

Your dermatologist examines the under-eye in several lighting angles, performs the stretch and tilt tests and reviews skin analysis images. You are told which type or mix you have and receive a written plan.

2. Treatment

Pico toning takes about 15 minutes per session with a light snapping sensation; sessions are spaced two to four weeks apart. Rejuran or Juvelook is injected with a fine needle after numbing cream, usually in a course of three. Tear trough filler is a single 30-minute visit using a blunt cannula to lower bruising risk.

3. Aftercare & follow-up

Written English aftercare and a two-week review are standard. Photographs at each visit let you and the clinic track progress objectively.

Cost guide

Dark circle treatment cost in Seoul

Costs in Apgujeong reflect the type of dark circle and the number of sessions needed.

Exact pricing is confirmed at consultation after examination.

Aftercare

Aftercare

• Do not rub the eyes; use a cold compress for swelling in the first 24 hours.
• Avoid eye makeup for 24 hours after injections or laser.
• Use a mineral SPF around the eyes daily; pigment returns quickly without it.
• Treat allergies and nasal congestion, which worsen vascular circles.
• Report any blurred vision, severe pain or spreading bruise immediately.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Chang-hyun Kim, M.D.

Board-certified dermatologist and Representative Director of Oaro Dermatology Clinic, Cheongdam. Ulthera Certified Treatment Provider, Thermage FLX Master Certified, and full member of the Korean Dermatological Association, the Korean Society for Dermatologic Laser and the Korean Filler Society.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What causes dark circles under the eyes?

Pigment, visible blood vessels under thin skin, or a shadow from a hollow or eye bag, often in combination.

Can dark circles be permanently removed?

Pigment and structure can be improved for long periods, but genetics and ageing mean maintenance is usually needed.

Is filler safe under the eyes?

In experienced hands with a cannula and a soft product, yes. The area is delicate, so technique and product choice matter.

Will laser make my dark circles worse?

Gentle Pico toning at low settings is designed to avoid rebound pigmentation; aggressive lasers can worsen pigment in Asian skin.

How many sessions will I need?

Typically three to five for laser or boosters, and one for filler.

Explore related care

Often considered together

• Dark Circle Treatment — the treatment program in detail
• Tear Trough Fillers — filling the structural shadow
• Rejuran Healer — thickening thin under-eye skin
• Pico Laser — toning for pigmented circles
• Puffy Eyes — when swelling is part of the picture
• Skin Concerns — all concerns
• Contact & Booking — book an under-eye consultation

Private 1:1 consultation

Plan your treatment with a board-certified dermatologist in Apgujeong

Tell us what you would like to change, and we will examine your skin, explain the options and give you a written plan with clear pricing. English-speaking coordinators are available for international patients.