East Asian woman in soft window light showing the under-eye area

Dark Circles · Tear Trough Filler · Polynucleotides · Laser · Comparison

Under-Eye Filler vs Rejuran Eye vs Laser for Dark Circles

Three tools. Three different kinds of dark circle.

Dark circles come from hollowing, thin skin, pigment or visible veins — often more than one at once. Dr Sin Yong at IN Eternity Clinic on Orchard Road explains which treatment answers which cause.

WhatsApp to Enquire →Key facts ↓

4 causes

Shadow, pigment, vessels, thin skin

HA only

Filler type used under the eye

Polynucleotide skin support

Diagnosis

Before choosing

Key facts

Shadow-type circles: caused by a hollow tear trough or the step where lower-eyelid fat meets the cheek; light from above casts a shadow that looks dark.
Pigment-type circles: brown colour from extra melanin in the skin, common in Asian skin, often worse with rubbing, allergy and sun.
Vascular and thin-skin circles: a bluish or purple tint from veins and muscle showing through thin eyelid skin.
Under-eye filler: a soft hyaluronic acid gel placed deep in the tear trough to reduce the hollow; it changes contour, not skin colour.
Rejuran Eye: a polynucleotide (PN) injectable formulated for the eye area, aimed at skin quality and fine crepiness rather than volume.
Laser: low-energy pigment lasers break up excess melanin gradually; they do not fill hollows or thicken skin.
Mixed causes: many people have hollowing plus pigment, so a plan may combine methods in sequence rather than choosing one.
Not for filler: true eye bags from protruding fat; filler placed below a bag can make it look larger.

Reviewed by Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director, IN Eternity Clinic · Last updated 7 October 2026

The question first

What kind of dark circle do you have?

Dark circles are a description, not a diagnosis. Four different things make the under-eye look dark, and each needs a different answer. A shadow comes from shape: a groove between the lower eyelid and cheek catches less light. A colour comes from pigment: melanin sitting in the skin. A tint comes from blood vessels and the orbicularis muscle showing through. And thin, crepey skin makes all three look worse.

A simple check helps. Tilt your face up towards a ceiling light. If the darkness fades, shadow is a large part of it. Gently stretch the skin: if brown colour stays, it is pigment; if a bluish tone stays or deepens, vessels play a part. At assessment Dr Sin Yong looks at the area at rest, while you smile and under different lighting, because most people have more than one cause.

Option one

Under-eye filler: for the hollow

Tear trough filler uses a soft hyaluronic acid (HA) gel placed deep, close to the bone, usually with a blunt cannula. By lifting the floor of the groove it reduces the shadow. It does nothing for brown pigment and can make a bluish tint more obvious if the product sits too close to the surface, because HA gel can scatter light and look blue (the Tyndall effect).

Filler suits people whose main problem is a hollow with reasonably good skin above it. It does not suit true eye bags, very thin skin with marked puffiness, or anyone prone to fluid retention under the eyes. Because HA can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, HA is the filler type used under the eyes here; firmer collagen-stimulating products are not placed in the tear trough.

Option two

Rejuran Eye: for thin, crepey skin

Rejuran Eye (sold in some markets as Rejuran I) is a polynucleotide (PN) injectable made from purified salmon DNA fragments, formulated for the delicate eye area. Polynucleotides are thought to support the skin’s repair environment and hydration. They do not add meaningful volume, so they will not fill a deep groove.

It is placed as a series of small, superficial injections across the lower eyelid skin, usually over a short course. Small bumps settle over hours to a day or two, and bruising is possible. It suits fine crepiness and thin skin, and is sometimes used before or alongside filler so the skin over a corrected hollow looks better. Expectations should be modest: the change is gradual and varies between people.

Option three

Laser: for pigment

Where the darkness is brown, it is pigment, and pigment needs a pigment treatment. Low-fluence 1064 nm toning or picosecond pulses break excess melanin into smaller particles over several sessions, with settings kept conservative because the eyelid skin is thin and Asian skin is prone to rebound darkening. The eye is always protected with shields.

Laser does not fill a hollow and does little for a purely vascular tint. It also needs support: treating allergic rhinitis or eczema that makes people rub their eyes, sun protection, and gentle skincare. Without those, pigment usually returns.

Side by side

Under-eye filler vs Rejuran Eye vs laser at a glance

	Under-eye filler	Rejuran Eye	Laser
Main target	Hollow and shadow	Thin, crepey skin	Brown pigment
How it works	HA gel lifts the groove	Polynucleotides support skin quality	Light energy breaks up melanin
Sessions	Usually one, review after	Short course	Course over weeks
Typical downtime	Swelling, possible bruising	Small bumps, possible bruising	Mild redness
Reversible	Yes, with hyaluronidase	Not applicable	Not applicable

The table simplifies. Results, the number of sessions and downtime vary between people and are discussed at consultation.

Which suits whom

Choosing, and combining in the right order

A clear groove with good skin: filler is often the main tool. Crepey, thin skin with only a mild hollow: a polynucleotide course may come first, sometimes followed by a small amount of filler. Brown circles with little hollowing: a laser course with skincare and sun protection. Puffy bags: neither filler nor polynucleotide is the answer; Dr Sin Yong will explain energy-based options or refer for a surgical opinion.

When causes are mixed, order matters. Pigment is usually addressed early because filler will not change colour. Skin quality is supported before or around filler so the gel sits under healthier skin. Filler is placed conservatively, and anything previously injected is mapped with ultrasound first so new product is not layered over old.

Recovery

What the first weeks look like with each

After under-eye filler. Mild swelling is common for the first few days and is often a little worse in the morning. Bruising is possible even with a cannula and can take a week or so to fade. The gel settles and integrates over roughly two weeks, which is why the result is reviewed then rather than judged on day one. Strenuous exercise, alcohol and pressing on the area are avoided for the first day or two.

After Rejuran Eye. Small raised bumps along the injection lines usually flatten within hours to a day or two. Make-up is usually held for the rest of the day. Because polynucleotides work on skin quality gradually, any change is assessed across the course rather than after one session.

After laser. Mild redness typically settles within hours. Sun protection and gentle skincare between sessions are part of the treatment. Pigment fades gradually across a course; occasional darkening or lightening is a known risk, which is why settings start low and are adjusted at each visit.

Safety

Risks worth knowing

The under-eye sits close to important blood vessels. Filler carries a small but serious risk of entering a vessel, which is why anatomy, cannula technique and a doctor who can recognise and treat a problem immediately matter. Lumps, puffiness and a blue tint are more common when filler is placed too superficially or in too large a volume. Polynucleotides can bruise. Lasers can darken or lighten pigment if settings are wrong. All three are performed by the doctor at IN Eternity Clinic.

Myths and facts

Common myths, answered

Myth: Filler fixes all dark circles.
Fact: Filler only reduces shadow from a hollow. It does not change brown pigment and can make a bluish tint more visible.
Myth: Rejuran Eye is a filler.
Fact: It is a polynucleotide skin-quality injectable. It adds very little volume and will not fill a deep groove.
Myth: Eye creams can remove dark circles.
Fact: Creams can help mild pigment and dryness. They cannot fill a hollow or change how veins show through thin skin.
Myth: More filler gives a better result under the eye.
Fact: Small volumes placed deep are safer and look more natural. Overfilling is a common cause of puffiness.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Rejuran Eye better than under-eye filler?

Neither is better in general because they treat different things. Filler reduces the shadow of a hollow tear trough. Rejuran Eye, a polynucleotide injectable, supports thin, crepey skin and adds little volume. Many people need one, some need both in sequence, and a few need neither. Dr Sin Yong decides after looking at the area in different lighting.

Can laser remove dark circles?

Laser helps when the darkness is brown pigment. It breaks up excess melanin gradually over a course, with conservative settings for thin eyelid skin. It does not fill hollows or change a vascular tint, so it is used when pigment is the main cause or as part of a combined plan.

How long does under-eye filler last?

It varies with the product, the amount placed and how your body breaks it down, and the under-eye often holds HA gel for longer than other areas. Duration is discussed at consultation. Because longevity can be long, conservative dosing matters more than chasing a dramatic first result.

Does Rejuran Eye hurt?

It involves many small, superficial injections. Numbing cream is applied for around twenty to thirty minutes first, and most people describe the injections as a brief stinging that is tolerable. Small raised bumps along the injection lines usually flatten within a day or two, and any bruising fades over the following week.

Who should not have tear trough filler?

People with true eye bags from protruding fat, marked puffiness or fluid retention, very thin skin with a strong vascular tint, active infection or eczema around the eye, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. These are assessed at consultation.

How much does dark circle treatment cost?

It depends on the cause and the plan: the amount of filler needed, the number of polynucleotide sessions, the number of laser sessions, and whether methods are combined. A written estimate is given after assessment so you can see what each part involves before deciding.

Can dark circles come back?

Yes. Pigment returns with sun, rubbing and allergy. Fillers and polynucleotides are gradually broken down. Ageing continues, and the fat pads and bone around the eye change over time. Most plans therefore include sensible maintenance, such as sun protection, managing allergy and occasional top-up sessions, rather than a single treatment. Review visits help catch changes early.

References

Roh MR, Chung KY. Infraorbital dark circles: definition, causes, and treatment options. Dermatol Surg 2009;35(8):1163-1171. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01213.x
Cavallini M, Bartoletti E, Maioli L, et al. Consensus report on the use of PN-HPT (polynucleotides highly purified technology) in aesthetic medicine. J Cosmet Dermatol 2021;20(3):922-928. doi:10.1111/jocd.13679
Schelke LW, Decates TS, Velthuis PJ. Ultrasound to improve the safety of hyaluronic acid filler treatments. J Cosmet Dermatol 2018;17(6):1019-1024. doi:10.1111/jocd.12726
Wattanakrai P, Mornchan R, Eimpunth S. Low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (1,064 nm) laser for the treatment of facial melasma in Asians. Dermatol Surg 2010;36(1):76-87. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01383.x
Beleznay K, Carruthers JD, Humphrey S, Jones D. Avoiding and treating blindness from fillers: a review of the world literature. Dermatol Surg 2015;41(10):1097-1117. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000000486

These sources describe mechanisms and general evidence. They are not a promise of any individual result; suitability is decided at an in-person assessment.