The delicate skin around your eyes tells a story: one of late nights, sunny days and the natural passage of time. When dark circles, wrinkles and hollowness begin to define this area, they can make you look tired or older than you feel. At Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics in Wayzata, MN, board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Leslie Smith offers a comprehensive range of under-eye treatments designed to refresh and rejuvenate this sensitive area.
Unlike many aesthetic practices that offer a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. Smith recognizes that each patient’s under-eye concerns are unique. Whether you’re dealing with fine lines, dark circles, puffiness or volume loss, she’ll work with you to develop a personalized eye treatment plan that addresses your needs and goals.
Understanding Under-Eye Concerns
The skin beneath your eyes is some of the thinnest on your entire body (about 0.5 millimeters compared to 2 millimeters on the rest of your face). This delicate tissue contains fewer oil glands and less collagen, making it particularly vulnerable to showing signs of aging and fatigue.
Common Under-Eye Issues
Dark circles develop from various causes, including genetics, blood vessel visibility through thin skin and pigmentation changes. Many patients find that dark circles run in their families, while others notice them worsening with age, allergies or lifestyle factors like lack of sleep.
Fine lines and wrinkles develop as collagen production naturally decreases with age. The constant movement from blinking and facial expressions, combined with sun exposure and environmental damage, accelerates the formation of these lines. You might notice crow’s feet extending from the corners of your eyes or fine creases directly beneath them.
Volume loss and hollowness occur when the fat pads that normally cushion the under-eye area diminish or shift with age. This creates shadows and a sunken appearance that can make you look perpetually tired. Some people also have naturally deep-set eyes that become more pronounced over time.
Puffiness and bags result from weakened muscles and tissues, which allow fat to protrude forward and create bulges beneath the eyes. Fluid retention, allergies and genetics all play a role in this common concern.
Our Comprehensive Under-Eye Treatment Options
BroadBand Light (BBL) Therapy for Dark Circles and Fine Lines
BBL therapy is one of the most effective noninvasive solutions for under-eye discoloration and skin texture concerns. This advanced light-based treatment delivers hundreds of wavelengths simultaneously to target multiple issues in a single session.
BroadBand Light is particularly effective for patients whose dark circles stem from visible blood vessels or pigmentation issues rather than volume loss. The treatment also improves overall skin texture and can reduce the appearance of fine lines by stimulating collagen production.
The technology delivers precise light energy to the treatment area, where excess pigment and visible blood vessels absorb the light. This process breaks down unwanted pigmentation while stimulating your body’s natural healing response.
BBL Treatment Experience and Recovery
The procedure takes just 15 to 30 minutes, with minimal discomfort often described as a gentle warming sensation. For under-eye treatments, Dr. Smith uses specialized settings and protective measures to treat this delicate area safely.
You can return to your normal activities immediately, though some mild redness may persist for a few hours. To maintain optimal results, most patients benefit from two BBL treatments per year.
ProFractional Laser Resurfacing for Texture Issues and Dark Circles
When fine lines and crepey skin texture are your primary under-eye concerns, ProFractional laser resurfacing offers dramatic improvement with minimal downtime. Many patients also notice an improvement in dark circles, as the treatment stimulates cellular turnover and improves overall skin quality.
The ProFractional laser works by removing tiny columns of skin tissue, triggering your body’s wound healing response. This fractional ablative laser creates thousands of microscopic treatment areas in the skin while leaving the surrounding tissue intact for faster healing. This process stimulates robust collagen production while resurfacing the skin for a smoother, more youthful appearance.
ProFractional Treatment Experience and Recovery
The procedure typically requires a topical numbing cream for comfort, and the actual laser treatment takes just 15 to 20 minutes. Dr. Smith can precisely control the depth of treatment based on your needs and skin type.
Recovery is remarkably quick. There will be some redness and mild swelling for three to five days. After day three, patients can usually return to work with makeup.
For under-eye rejuvenation, most patients achieve excellent results with two treatments per year.
AccuTite for Long-Lasting Wrinkle Reduction
For patients seeking more dramatic and long-lasting improvement in under-eye wrinkles and skin laxity, AccuTite offers a minimally invasive solution with results that can last several years.
This revolutionary treatment uses radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL) technology delivered through a tiny probe inserted just beneath the skin. The controlled radiofrequency energy heats the tissue from within, which liquefies small fat deposits while simultaneously contracting existing collagen fibers and stimulating new collagen production. The result is significant skin tightening and wrinkle reduction that continues to improve over several months.
AccuTite Treatment Experience and Recovery
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia through a tiny entry point that won’t leave visible scarring. Dr. Smith uses the AccuTite device to precisely target the under-eye area, with the entire treatment taking about 30 to 45 minutes. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during AccuTite treatment and can return home immediately afterward.
Recovery from AccuTite is surprisingly quick for such dramatic results. You’ll have some swelling and bruising for about a week, but most patients feel comfortable returning to work within three to five days.
The results develop gradually over three to six months as new collagen forms, with improvements lasting several years.
Biological Growth Factor Injections for Volume Restoration
When under-eye hollowness from weight loss or aging is your primary concern, biological growth factor injections offer a natural solution using your body’s own healing properties. This innovative treatment harnesses concentrated growth factors from your blood to restore lost volume and improve skin quality.
Growth Factor Treatment Experience and Recovery
The process begins with a simple blood draw, similar to routine lab work. Dr. Smith then uses advanced centrifuge technology to isolate and concentrate the growth factors into a potent healing serum. These growth factors include proteins that stimulate collagen production, improve blood flow and accelerate tissue regeneration.
The concentrated growth factors are carefully injected into the hollow areas beneath your eyes using ultrafine needles. The injections cause minimal discomfort, and a topical numbing cream can be applied for added comfort. For optimal results, most patients need two treatments spaced four to six weeks apart.
Results from growth factor injections develop gradually as your body responds to the treatment. Over two to three months, you’ll notice progressive improvement in volume, skin texture and overall under-eye appearance.
Many patients enjoy results that last up to two years, making this an excellent long-term solution for under-eye rejuvenation.
Morpheus8 for Comprehensive Under-Eye Tightening
Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy for the ultimate nonsurgical skin tightening. This FDA-approved treatment can address under-eye wrinkles, skin laxity and textural concerns in a series of comfortable sessions.
The Morpheus8 device uses ultrafine needles to deliver radiofrequency energy at precise depths within the skin. This creates controlled micro-injuries that trigger collagen production while the RF energy provides additional tightening effects.
Morpheus8 Treatment Experience and Recovery
For the delicate under-eye area, Dr. Smith uses specialized settings for a safe, effective treatment. The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes, plus additional time for topical numbing beforehand. The treatment sensation is generally described as mild warmth with occasional tingling. Most patients achieve optimal results with three Morpheus8 treatments spaced four to six weeks apart.
Recovery from Morpheus8 is minimal, with most patients experiencing only mild redness and swelling for one to three days. You can apply makeup after 24 hours and return to normal activities immediately. Results continue to improve for up to six months as collagen remodeling occurs.
Choosing the Right Under-Eye Treatment
With multiple effective options available, selecting the right treatment depends on your personal concerns, lifestyle and aesthetic goals. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Smith will thoroughly evaluate your under-eye area and discuss which approach (or combination of treatments) will best address your needs.
Treatment Selection Guidelines
- For Dark Circles: BBL therapy offers the most targeted approach for pigmentation and vascular concerns, while ProFractional laser can improve overall skin quality issues that contribute to darkness.
- For Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Consider ProFractional laser for surface-level lines, AccuTite for deeper wrinkles with skin laxity, or Morpheus8 for comprehensive tightening and texture improvement.
- For Volume Loss: Biological growth factor injections provide natural volume restoration that addresses the root cause of hollowness.
- For Multiple Concerns: Many patients benefit from combining treatments. For example, BBL therapy for dark circles followed by Morpheus8 for tightening, or growth factor injections for volume combined with ProFractional laser for texture.
The Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics Difference
When you choose Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics for your under-eye rejuvenation, you’re partnering with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who brings artistic vision and medical expertise to every treatment. Dr. Smith’s approach goes beyond performing procedures — she takes time to understand your concerns, educate you about your options and develop a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
Your experience begins with a complimentary consultation, during which Dr. Smith personally evaluates your under-eye concerns. She’ll examine your skin quality, assess volume loss and identify contributing factors to develop your personalized treatment recommendation. This one-on-one time allows her to thoroughly explain what to expect during and after each procedure, answering all your questions along the way. Dr. Smith believes in empowering patients through education, taking as much time as needed to address any concerns you may have.
Tired of Looking Tired? Give Your Eyes Back Their Sparkle
Don’t let tired-looking eyes diminish your natural vibrancy. The advanced under-eye treatments at Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics can help you achieve a refreshed, youthful appearance that reflects how you feel inside. From noninvasive light therapy to minimally invasive radiofrequency treatments, we offer solutions for every concern and comfort level.
Contact Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics today at 952-460-1970 to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Leslie Smith.