Because they can be caused by so many different issues, there is no one treatment that helps everybody. Excess blood in veins and capillaries can cause the darkening. Fine lines in the skin below your eye can create shadows, which in turn cause dark circles.

If you have puffy lower lids and/or protrusion of the upper lid, eyebrow, and orbital bone, that will cause more shadows (a.k.a. darkness) as light typically comes from above us. And excess pigment in the skin, whether it’s brown pigment from the sun or from other forms of injury or even pigment from blood from broken capillaries, can contribute to dark circles as well.

For patients whose fine lines and wrinkles are causing shadows, it stands to reason that anything that helps those fine lines and wrinkles will help to eliminate dark circles. A glycolic exfoliating eye cream is a great solution, as well as anything that builds collagen and hyaluronic acid like Fraxel and Profractional Lasers.

Even a moisturizer can be temporarily helpful because it plumps up the thin troughs created by wrinkles, smooths out the surface, and reduces flakes and scales on your skin. These all make the skin smoother. Smoother skin reflects light, so even if you still have dark circles, the area looks brighter and not as dark.

If the cause of your dark under eye circles is excess blood creating hues of reds and purples, then vascular lasers will be helpful. Dr. Schultz says, “If you have very strong muscles of the lower lid that causes a puffiness just below the lid margin, then Botox in that part of the lower lid will reduce the puffiness, and therefore, also reduce the shadow.”

If the dark circles are caused by brown melanin pigmentation in the epidermis, then exfoliation and brighteners can help with those kinds of dark circles. When buffered and properly adjusted to the right pH, glycolic eye cream can create a chemical reaction that dissolves the skin's "glue" that holds dead skin cells on the skin's outermost layers.

Thus, through regular application of glycolic eye cream, your under eye area can be free of lingering dead skin cells that are affecting your skin's ability to reflect light and that contain excess brown pigment. Once your skin can reflect more light, your dark circles will decrease.

You may have a situation where your dark under eye circles stem from a shadow problem due to a bulge (puffiness) and the trough below it. This trough is caused by a loss of fat, collagen, and bone over the years. Dr. Schultz explains, “So the puffiness is caused by fat protrusion or swelling below the eye, and the contrast between the height of the puff and depth of the trough creates a shadow from overhead light. You want to fill in the low point. So we put Filler in the trough after we reduce the puff and therefore decrease the difference in the height of the contours, leading to decrease shadow.”

Another way to combat shadows caused by puffiness is to use Skin Tightening. This process heats the skin to shrink the fibers around the fat that’s part of the puffiness. That causes a decrease in the bulge which, of course, causes a decrease in the shadow.

Our biggest difference from other practices is that we’re able to separate the different causes of these dark under eye circles so we’re able to customize an effective treatment for the care of your dark circles. Effective treatment of dark under eye circles may have been elusive in the past, but our team will determine what the actual cause of the dark circle is and address it. From exfoliation to decrease shadowing to Fillers evening out the skin’s contours, we have a method to treat exactly what your skin needs.

When you come into your appointment, we will ask you to share your problem areas and we will propose the best treatment plan for you. Depending on what’s suggested, whether it’s a Glycolic Peel, Lasers, Botox or Fillers, will determine on how long your appointment takes and how soon you’ll see results.

Patient Reviews

I've been seeing Dr. Schultz for the last 8 years and during that time, I've recommended him to countless friends for both cosmetic and medical dermatologic help. I trust him completely both diagnostically and aesthetically. When I had shingles, he was wonderful, incredibly supportive and kind. And when I eased into doing more cosmetic dermatology, he was– and continues to be– patient, careful and cautious. He listens to concerns and really hears what your goal outcome is and works with you to make it happen. I wanted to maintain a natural look while keeping my skin looking fresh and that's just what he's done for me. I always leave his office feeling prettier and well-cared for! If you have a medical concern or something about your skin you want to upgrade, you can't do better than Dr. Schultz and his wonderful team. And the products are amazing as well!

- Laura B.

Dr. Schultz is the most thorough and good natured dermatologist I have ever seen. I have been a patient of his for more than 20 years. He has taught me everything I know about the value of taking care of my skin, a gift that keeps on giving. He also takes the time to listen to me, to see me as an individual and doesn't treat my needs as a one size fits all doctor. I really appreciate his kindness, patience and expertise. I absolutely love his product line and have definitely reaped the rewards from using it, especially his glycolic peel pads and moisturizer, which I can't live without. My skin feels softer, smoother, appears more translucent and actually looks younger! He helped me to see beyond the lines and wrinkles, although he so good at helping to keep those at bay while maintaining a very natural appearance. His staff is outstanding. They make you feel welcome, like family, from the moment you walk through the door. Angela, Monika, Deborah and all of the support staff are extraordinary at what they do. Thank you Dr. Schultz and everyone at Park Ave Skincare. You're the best!

- Laura M.

Dr. Schultz has truly transformed my skin, so much so that I can confidently leave the house without wearing makeup now. During my first meeting with him, he intently listened to my skin concerns, we discussed what my goals were, and he explained pragmatically what treatments and products he recommended for me. I truly appreciate his fantastic bedside manner and conservative approach. I am a perfectionist in every aspect of my life, including my skin, and he understood this and was committed to helping me achieve every skin goal I had. The entire staff is just so fantastic and friendly, from reception to the PAs. They make you feel welcome and extremely comfortable, which to me is very important when visiting any doctor’s office. As someone who works too much and never gets enough sleep, my skin was looking very dull and lifeless. My skin is now full of life again and has an incredible glow to it which I have never had before. And I owe it all to the incredible Dr. Schultz.

- Kelly D.

My partnership with Dr Schultz began more than 30 years ago. As a generous friend, advisor, skilled surgeon, and superb cosmetic diagnostician, he has enabled me to look my best. He has kept me abreast of the most sophisticated procedures and in so doing, has maximized my appearance, always guided by what will be most beneficial for me. He is someone I go to for advice and care and his staff is another manifestation of this care. I don’t know many patients who can say this, and I feel fortunate to be among them.

- Ellen R.

In the four years that I've been a patient of Dr. Schultz, my acne-prone skin has gone from constant breakouts to smooth and clear. These days, I feel confident and comfortable enough in my skin to wear minimal makeup, if any—which I never would have done in years past. He and his warm, friendly staff always go above and beyond; he takes the time to listen, talk with me, and create the best plan for my skin. It's clear he has my best interests in mind, and I trust him wholeheartedly. I would highly recommend him to friends, family, and frankly, anyone who asks.

- Deanna P.

Each session with Dr. Schultz is a mini education in skin care. He approaches each patient as a unique individual with different needs. I’m Asian and he’s explained to me how that impacts treatment in a clear manner that a layperson can understand. At each examination, he recites detailed notes to his staff which he then refers back to at each future appointment, adjusting and tweaking treatment plans when necessary. Over the past two years I’ve seen a remarkable improvement in my blemishes and overall complexion and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to enhance their appearance.

- Sherry G.

I have been a patient of Dr. Schultz for many years, and I continue to be amazed at his medical approach, patience, and professionalism. He takes the time to listen to my health concerns, explains how and why he would like to issue a treatment in a way that I understand , answers all of my questions, and all of his procedures and painless and thorough. He is very attentive, results-oriented, and extremely knowledgeable. He follows up and is committed to my health and satisfaction. The Park Avenue Skincare is a calm environment and the staff are all very friendly, warm, and respectful. It's easy to get appointments at a time that works for me and they are always on time and considerate. I think so highly of him and his practice that I sent my mom to him, and continue to go to his office even though my life is based in midtown west! I have great confidence in the care that he gives.

- Katrina A.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What causes dark circles under eyes?

    Dark circles can be caused by several different factors. There is no Read More

  • How do I get rid of dark circles under eyes?

    Each patient receives an individual treatment plan. There are different ways to Read More

  • How long will the results last?

    This varies based on each individual’s assessment. Results typically last six months. Read More

  • Will there be bruising if I treat my under eye circles?

    It’s possible, but it’s not typical.

  • How do I cover dark under eye circles?

    You can attempt to use foundation or concealer to cover dark under Read More

Rejuvenate Your Skin

Make your skin care a priority with leading-dermatologist and New York Magazine’s “Top Doctor”: Dr. Neal Schultz.



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