Autologous Fat Grafting for the Treatment of Structural Infraorbital Dark Circles

Abstract

Background

Infraorbital dark circles have become a troubling issue for many young people, giving a tired and aged appearance. A significant portion of these dark circles is caused by structural deformities in the lower eyelid area. Many treatment methods have been introduced for the treatment of structural dark circles (SDC). Among the treatment options, autologous fat grafting appears to be an effective approach for treating SDC in young individuals.

Methods

This study evaluated patients with SDC who underwent autologous fat grafting between December 2021 and August 2023. The proposed technique involved a deep-level ligament releasing injection using micro-fat, while the superficial layer was treated with stromal vascular fraction gel extracted from the micro-fat.

Results

A total of 88 patients enrolled in the study had an average age of 25.4 ± 3.1 years. Throughout the follow-up period (averaging 11.2 months), notable improvements in SDC and tear trough deformity were maintained without any major complications. Patient satisfaction, as self-assessed post-procedure questionnaires, revealed that 40.9% were very satisfied, 56.8% were satisfied, and 2.3% were neutral regarding the outcomes.

Conclusions

The autologous fat grafting technique we proposed is both effective and reliable, offering high patient satisfaction with minimal risk of complications. Long-term results have proved its effectiveness for young individuals with SDC.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.