Dark circles can make the face look tired even when you feel well-rested. In Korea, three non-surgical treatments are widely used to brighten and rejuvenate the under-eye area: lasers, fillers, and skin boosters. Each targets a different cause of dark circles, so choosing the right one starts with understanding why your dark circles appear in the first place.

This guide breaks it all down in a simple, results-focused way.

1. Laser Treatment for Dark Circles

Lasers are ideal when the problem is pigmentation, thin skin, or under-eye shadows caused by discoloration.

Best For

• Brown or gray pigmentation under the eyes
• Sun damage or hereditary pigmentation
• Thin skin showing underlying vessels
• Uneven tone or dullness

How It Helps

Lasers gently break down excess pigment, improve circulation, and thicken the dermis by stimulating collagen. Many people notice a brighter, clearer under-eye tone after a few sessions.

Pros

• Improves true pigmentation (the most common cause of dark circles in Asia)
• No volume added — natural look
• Also improves texture and fine lines

Consider If

Your dark circles look brownish, you have a history of pigmentation, or makeup never fully covers the shadow.

2. Under-Eye Filler for Dark Circles

Fillers work best when dark circles are caused by hollowing, volume loss, or a tear-trough indentation that casts a shadow.

Best For

• Deep tear troughs
• Under-eye hollowness
• Shadowing despite no pigmentation
• Tired, sunken look

How It Helps

Fillers lift the tear trough and replace lost volume, smoothing the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek. When the hollow is filled, the shadow disappears — making the eyes look more awake and youthful.

Pros

• Instant improvement
• Long-lasting (6–18 months depending on product)
• Excellent for structural issues

Consider If

Your dark circles are blue/gray from hollowness or appear worse in certain lighting angles.

3. Skin Boosters for Dark Circles

Skin boosters are great for crepey texture, thin skin, and fine lines that make dark circles look worse.

Best For

• Dehydrated under-eye skin
• Fine wrinkles or creasing
• Dull, tired texture
• Early aging around the eyes

How It Helps

Skin boosters hydrate the dermis, stimulate collagen, and thicken thin skin. This reduces translucency and makes vessels less visible, giving a softer, more youthful under-eye appearance.

Pros

• Natural, subtle improvement
• Great for people who don’t want fillers
• Improves skin quality over time

Consider If

Your dark circles look worse when the skin creases or when you're tired.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Laser if:

• Your dark circles are brown or gray
• You have obvious pigmentation
• You want brightening without adding volume

Choose Filler if:

• The issue is hollowness or a tear-trough shadow
• Your dark circles look “sunken”
• You want immediate correction

Choose Skin Boosters if:

• The skin looks thin, crepey, or dehydrated
• You want natural, subtle brightening
• You want to improve texture and elasticity

Can Treatments Be Combined?

Absolutely — and this is very common in Korean dermatology.

Many clinics combine:

• Laser + Skin Boosters for pigmentation + texture
• Filler + Skin Boosters for hollowness + skin quality
• Laser + Filler when both pigmentation and volume issues exist

A combination plan usually gives the most natural and complete improvement.

Final Thoughts

There is no single “best” treatment for dark circles — the right choice depends on whether your concern is pigmentation, hollowness, thin skin, or a mix of all three.

• Lasers brighten discoloration.
• Fillers fix structural shadows.
• Skin boosters improve texture and thickness.

In many cases, the most effective approach blends two or more treatments for the most natural, refreshed under-eye look.