Lighting and stretch test
The doctor examines the area in different light and gently stretches the skin to classify dark circles.
MOHW-designated Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution · 2026
Under-Eye Anti-Aging Treatments in Gangnam Seoul, Korea
A tired look under the eyes can come from a tear trough, hollowing, thin skin or one of three kinds of dark circle. Working out which one you have is the key to choosing a gentle, suitable treatment.
- 2 MD-PhD directors
- 2007 In Gangnam since
- 4 Languages
- 3 mo Free follow-up
In brief
Under-Eye Anti-Aging Treatments, at a glance
Gangnam Celliting Clinic · 121 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · Gangnam Station Exit 12 (4-min walk)
Under-eye aging is treated according to its cause. Thin, crepey skin and fine lines often respond to gentle skin boosters such as Rejuran or regenerative care. Dark circles from pigment, visible veins or shadowing each need a different plan, and some shadows are structural. A doctor examines the area in good light before suggesting options.
- Common concerns Hollows, thin skin, dark circles
- Gentle options Skin boosters, regenerative care
- Bruising risk Higher than elsewhere on face
- Swelling Usually settles within days
What you are seeing
Tear trough, hollows or thin skin: what causes a tired look?
A tired under-eye usually reflects one or more of three changes: a deepening tear trough, general hollowing, or thinning skin. The tear trough is the groove running from the inner corner of the eye down toward the cheek; it deepens as fat and bone support change with age. Hollowing is a wider loss of volume below the eye. Thin skin lets underlying muscle and vessels show through and creases easily.
Tear trough
A defined groove at the inner lower eye that casts a shadow, sometimes present from youth.
Hollows
A broader sunken look, often with the cheek appearing flatter below it.
Thin, crepey skin
Fine crinkles and a slightly translucent look, worse when smiling or tired.
Dark circles
Which type of dark circle do you have?
Dark circles fall into three main types, pigment, vascular and shadow, and many people have a mix. A simple stretch test and good lighting help the doctor tell them apart.
| Type | Colour | Quick check | Typical approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigment | Brown | Colour stays when skin is gently stretched | Skin-tone care, strict sun protection |
| Vascular | Blue or purple | Colour may fade briefly with light pressure | Skin-thickening support, sleep and allergy care |
| Shadow | Grey, changes with light | Improves when you look up into light | Address hollows or structure |
Concealer hides pigment well but cannot fill a shadow, which is a useful clue to the type you have.
Gentle options
What gentle regenerative and booster options suit the under-eye?
For thin under-eye skin, the gentlest effective options aim to improve skin quality rather than add bulk. At Gangnam Celliting Clinic, options listed for the eye area include Rejuran, eye rejuvenation lifting, wrinkle Botox for expression lines and regenerative treatments. Your doctor may combine a skin booster with a regenerative step for suitable patients.
Learn more about cell-based care on our stem cell skin rejuvenation page, or compare approaches on best treatments for under-eye aging.
After treatment
How long do bruising and swelling last under the eyes?
Under-eye bruising and swelling usually peak in the first one to two days and fade over about a week, though everyone heals differently. A general timeline after injectable skin treatments:
- Day 0 Small bumps and mild redness at injection points; cold compresses help.
- Days 1–2 Swelling may be most noticeable, especially in the morning. Sleep with your head raised.
- Days 3–5 Swelling eases; any bruise turns yellow-green and can usually be covered with concealer.
- About 1 week Most marks have faded. Skin-quality changes continue to develop gradually over the following weeks.
Is it right for you?
Who are under-eye treatments best suited to?
Often a good fit
- Your under-eye skin looks thin, dry or crinkled
- Dark circles have a vascular or mixed pattern
- You want gradual, natural-looking improvement
- You can allow a few days for possible bruising
Talk to your doctor first
- Large under-eye bags that may need surgical assessment
- Persistent puffiness or swelling of unknown cause
- Allergies, eczema or rubbing around the eyes
- Easy bruising or blood-thinning medicines
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Suitability is a medical decision made by your doctor after an in-person consultation and review of your health history.
Step by step
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Your under-eye visit at Celliting
Explain the cause
You hear whether hollowing, thin skin or pigment is the main issue, and what treatment can realistically change.
Gentle treatment
Numbing is applied; fine injections are placed slowly to limit bruising.
Cooling and aftercare
Cold compresses are applied and you receive written aftercare in your language.
Remote check-ins
Share photos during the free 3-month follow-up after you return home.
Why Celliting
Why patients choose Gangnam Celliting Clinic
01
Care after you fly home
Written aftercare in your language, a 24-hour line and a free 3-month follow-up.
02
Safety first, always
No serious complication since 2007. FDA/KFDA-cleared devices and verifiable, genuine consumables.
03
Pain-managed care
Monitored sleep sedation, AirNox analgesia, the X-injector or local anesthesia, matched to the procedure.
For international patients
Planning under-eye care around flights
Allow at least four or five days between an under-eye injection and your flight home if possible, so swelling settles before cabin pressure and long sitting. Book early in your stay in Gangnam, Seoul, and avoid alcohol and salty food for the first nights. A 24-hour contact line is available if you have concerns after treatment. Our doctors consult in English, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese, so you can describe your dark circles in your own words.
- Message us first Send photos and travel dates on WhatsApp before you fly.
- Doctor-reviewed plan Get a suggested plan in advance, confirmed in person.
- Your language English, 中文, 日本語 and Tiếng Việt support.
- Follow-up at home Free 3-month follow-up and a 24-hour line.
FAQ
Under-Eye Anti-Aging Treatments: your questions, answered
Reviewed by Dr. Ho-chan Kim, MD, PhD · Updated October 2026
Can treatment remove dark circles completely?
Usually not completely. Treatment can often lighten or soften dark circles, but results depend on the type. Pigment, vascular and shadow circles each respond differently, and genetics play a part. Your doctor will explain what improvement is realistic for your type before treatment.
Why does the under-eye bruise more easily than other areas?
Because the skin is very thin and the area has many small blood vessels. Even careful injections can cause a small bruise. Slow technique, cold compresses and stopping certain supplements beforehand, if your doctor agrees, can help reduce the chance.
Is a tear trough the same as dark circles?
No. The tear trough is a groove that can cast a shadow, which looks like a dark circle. True dark circles can also come from pigment or visible veins. Many people have both, so the doctor checks the structure and the skin colour separately.
Are skin boosters safe for the thin skin under the eyes?
They can be used under the eyes for suitable patients when placed carefully by an experienced doctor. Small bumps, swelling and bruising are the most common reactions. Your doctor will decide whether your skin and medical history make a booster appropriate.
Can lifestyle changes help under-eye aging?
Yes, they support any treatment. Daily sunscreen, enough sleep, treating allergies, not rubbing the eyes and limiting salt and alcohol can all reduce puffiness and darkness. These habits also help results from treatment last better.
Explore more
Related pages in Gangnam, Seoul
Cell by cell
Find out what is behind your tired look
Send a natural-light photo of your under-eyes on WhatsApp, and our doctors in Gangnam, Seoul will suggest a gentle starting plan.
Medical information on this page is provided by Gangnam Celliting Clinic and reviewed by our medical directors. It is not a substitute for an in-person medical consultation. Individual results vary, and all procedures carry potential risks and side effects that your doctor will explain before treatment.
