Frequently Asked Questions

A:Everyone’s pain threshold is different. Some people may say it feels like a slight sting and other people say the sensation is more pronounced. The feeling is only evident at the time we pulse the laser. Once the technician stops pulsing the laser, the sensation stops. For those individuals that experience discomfort, a topical anesthetic can be used. Compared to electrolysis and waxing, most clients should find our process tolerable.

There may be some redness after the treatment, but it is very temporary. This is comparable to very mild sunburn. Aloe Vera lotion or comparable can be used in these cases.

A: The treatments start at about a few hundred dollars and go up depending on the body area being treated. Clients can pay for the treatments as they are performed or they can take advantage of specials and package discounts to save money.

A: The laser emits a very specific light beam that is absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicle. The laser is pulsed, Óturned onÔ, for a fraction of second. The duration of the pulses have been carefully determined so that enough energy is absorbed by the hair follicle to disable it but not so much that excess heat is transferred to the surrounding skin. The result is safe and effective hair removal.

A: Lasers are precise instruments that can be adjusted to the exact parameters that will specifically disable the hair follicle. The laser uses a wide beam that treats hundreds of hair follicles at once instead of treating hair by hair like electrolysis. Because of this, large areas such as legs, arms, or a back can be treated in a short amount of time. You will see results that last far longer than tweezing, waxing, shaving, chemical depilation or other temporary methods.

A: Because the laser treats many hair follicles at a time, facial areas (lip, chin, etc.) can be treated in five to ten minutes. Small body areas (underarms, bikini, etc.) take less than 15-20 minutes. Larger body areas (full back, legs, arms, etc.) usually take about 30 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the area and the density of the hair.

A: Within several minutes of the treatment, the treated area may become slightly red. Some people experience a sensation similar to mild sunburn. This reaction subsides within a few minutes to a few hours and the area returns to normal. Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary. You are able to reapply your make-up, return to work, and continue with your normal daily activities.

A: Laser skin rejuvenation employs a revolutionary approach to skin rejuvenation to give you the optimal results with minimal inconvenience. The laser light passes harmlessly through the upper layers of skin, stimulating the cells deep below the surface that produce natural collagen. The collagen and elastin fibers continue to multiply after your treatment, and you will continue to see improved results over the months ahead.

A: Laser Skin Rejuvenation is unlike any other skin resurfacing treatment. Your skin is not subjected to harsh chemicals or the intense after-care of other facial rejuvenation procedures. The laser technology protects the sensitive surface layers of your skin, and allows the laser light to penetrate to a deeper level to simulate new collagen growth.

A: Laser Skin Rejuvenation treatment uses lasers to rejuvenate your skin from the inside out. There are no harsh chemicals. No long recovery times, just younger looking skin.

A: The best candidates usually will have: wrinkles & fine lines, red, flushed faces, or fine blood vessels, sun-damaged skin, hyperpigmentation, including age spots, melasma, and enlarged pores. If skin rejuvenation procedures are started at a younger age however, the fibroblasts stay active, and help maintain the plumpness and elasticity of the skin for a longer period, thus postponing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

A: The laser works by disabling hairs in the active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Since most hair will be in the dormant stage during treatment, an average of 5-6 treatments is usually necessary to disable a majority of the follicles during their growth cycle. Because everyone is different and we all have different hormone levels and medical influences, some people may need additional treatments to reach their desired goals.

A: The lasers we use have received FDA approval for Ópermanent hair reductionÔ. Once we disable the blood supply feeding the hair follicles, those particular follicles will not grow back, they are permanently destroyed. However, not all of the hair follicles on our body are active and as we get older, inactive hairs will become active. The laser will not keep those hairs from becoming active, but once they are, we can treat them successfully with the laser.

A: Depending on the area treated, there will be a series of five initial treatments that are about 2 to 3 weeks apart. Treatments usually take 20 to 30 minutes. After the initial series of treatments, depending on clinical results, other follow-up treatments may be recommended (and patient may well desire more, after seeing the positive benefits from the treatments). Often patients will want a single follow-up treatment at six-month intervals to keep their skin looking the best it can look and maintain a more youthful appearance. Clinical studies suggest that several treatments are needed to stimulate new collagen growth. Regular touch-up treatments are recommended to sustain the continued growth of new collagen.

A: Yes, advanced light systems have been used safely for millions of treatments worldwide. These systems treat only the targeted tissues, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. However, some redness may occur.

A: Laser skin rejuvenation can be performed on any facial area- around the eyes, mouth, cheeks, and chin – with minimal discomfort. A topical anesthetic cream can be used on extra sensitive areas, but no injections are needed.

A: Laser Skin Rejuvenation treatment is so quick and easy, that many patients come for treatment at their lunch hour. The procedure takes 15-30 minutes, and there are rarely side effects. Make-up can be applied right away and people can carry on with their day.

A: Absolutely! Laser skin rejuvenation is an ideal compliment to other procedures such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels – both of which we offer in our office.

A: One of the most outstanding features of laser skin rejuvenation treatment is that there is virtually no downtime associated with the procedure. After a session, the area may appear red for up to an hour. However, makeup can immediately be applied. No wound is created, therefore there is no healing time required.

A: Laser vein therapy is a revolutionary medical technique, which uses patented technology to eliminate benign vascular and pigmented lesions non-invasively.

A: The laser penetrates the skin to raise the temperature of the blood vessel and safely coagulate it. Over time, the vessel fades and slowly disappears.

A:

Lasers are non-invasive light therapy devices.  The laser generates a pulse of intense, concentrated light, which is directed through a hand piece gently aimed at the treatment site.

The laser energy passes through the skin to the blood vessels you wish to have eliminated, and the energy is absorbed by the pigment in the blood, causing damage to the lining of the target blood vessel without damaging the surrounding tissues or the skin.  The laser is pulsed, or turned on, for only a fraction of a second. 

The blood vessels, which have been destroyed, are reabsorbed by the body, and the flow of blood is directed back down to the deeper vessels where it belongs.  The surface of the skin is protected by an air-cooling device that blows on the skin before, during, and after the treatment. 

The laser can be used just about everywhere on the body, and usually requires no anesthesia or other treatment.  Even sensitive areas such as the nose and cheeks can be treated easily with little discomfort. 

In just a few treatments (sometimes only a single treatment), you can greatly improve the appearance of skin, which has been disfigured by unwanted blood vessels and Óbroken capillariesÔ. 

A: Small to mid-size veins can be treated by lasers (up to 3mm) very easily. Large to mid-size veins should be treated with injections.

A:

To ensure your treatment is safe and effective, we use lasers of different wavelengths and settings for each procedure and for different skin types.

When it is used for laser hair removal, the laser selectively targets the pigment in the hair shafts.  This heats up the hair follicle, which dies and eventually falls out of the skin.  When it is used for laser removal of blood vessels, the laser targets the blood in the vessels that you want to get rid of.  The blood heats the vessel, which dies off and is reabsorbed by the body.  The flow of blood is re-directed away from the surface of the skin, back down beneath the skin where it belongs.

A: All part of the body can be treated with the laser. In women, most common areas for blood vessels are thighs, lower legs, and ankles. In men and women, unwanted red blood vessels on the nose and face, including those associated with rosacea and sun damage. Cherry Hemangiomas and spider vessel and angiomas on the face, upper chest, and other parts of the body are other commonly treated lesions.

A:

-Larger areas may be treated with less discomfort than sclerotherapy or vein stripping
-A laser combines speed, comfort, and long lasting results
-The laser works on any area of the body where you wish to have blood vessels removed
-Small blood vessels, which are difficult or impossible to treat with sclerotherapy, response will to the laser
-Because only a beam of light is used when the laser is pulsed, there is less risk of bruising compared with injection sclerotherapy, which breaks the skin and wall of the blood vessel and places a solution in the bloodstream of the unwanted vessel.

A:

With injection sclerotherapy, a needle is inserted into the blood vessel and tries to inject a solution into the vessel.  The body detects that the vessel has been damaged, and reabsorbs the vessel.

Injection Sclerotherapy can be an excellent technique for large vessels on the legs and is superior to any laser treatment for vessels that are thicker than 4mm in diameter.

A: The best way to get pricing would be to come for a physician consultation. Based on the clinical exam of your vein/vessel problems, in most cases an exact fee can be determined.

A: Any consultation fee for the laser blood vessel removal will be credited towards the cost of the first treatment if you elect to proceed with treatment. Private insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for ÓcosmeticÔ procedures like laser vein and vascular treatments. We do not file or accept any paper work for insurance filing on any Ócosmetic proceduresÔ.

A:

Short-term side effects including reddening of the skin or local swelling that usually lasts less than a day, although sometimes lasts a few days.  New laser systems (like ours) are less likely to cause prolonged irritation, pigment changes or blistering.

Occasionally there can be increased or decreased pigment change in the treated area.  This is seldom a major cosmetic problem, and generally resolves in several months.  Even a single blister is uncommon, but will generally resolve within a week or two with polysporin or aloe vera.

Bruising can occur sometimes when treating leg vessels that are 2-4mm in diameter.  This is more of a nuisance than a major problem, and usually resolves in a few weeks without needing treatment.

Even though risks of side effects are low, even with the best care, reactions can happen.  Individual sensitivities to laser light that cannot be determined prior to treatment, and can include redness, blistering, bruising, hyper and hypo pigmentation, dried blood, and superficial clots in destroyed vessels as they are absorbing away, and in very rare instances scarring.

A:

ÓPermanent removalÔ means Ó ALL blood vessels are gone FOREVER. There are no treatments for blood vessels that can guarantee permanent blood vessel removal forever.

The most realistic description of the results after laser treatment is Ólong term blood vessel reduction.Ô  This means: ÓAfter one or two treatments on the face or one to four treatments on the legs, the total numbers of unsightly vessels are greatly reduced generally by 70-90%.  Most people are very pleased with this degree of improvement, as long as they know this is what to expect. 

Because lasers have been used on a large scale for blood vessel removal for only about the last 10 years, we cannot know if the results will continue for 15 or 20 years.  However, stable, long-term blood vessel reduction commonly lasts for at least two years and some patients who had their last treatment many years ago are still enjoying the reduction results.

A: The regrowth of vessels after treatment by either laser or sclerotherapy is highly individual, and depends on your genetic background. It also depends on medical conditions like acne, rosacea, medications taken (like prednisone or estrogens) and on external factors like sun exposure, which can speed up the appearance of new vessels. Clinical conditions can cause aggravation on the venous system too. Large varicose veins may require the attention of a general surgeon for vein stripping or ligation.

A:

The number of treatments depends on the desired degree of reduction and present clinical status of the vessels, hormonal status, area being treated, and medication. (Prednisone and estrogens can increase superficial blood vessel growth).

Usually, one or two treatments are needed for facial vessels, and three or four treatments may be needed for the legs.  On average, treatments can be done every 3-4 weeks.  Cherry Hemangiomas usually only require one or two treatments.

Some people start with the area that troubles them the most, and when they see the results, they often return to have other areas treated.

Additional ÓtouchupÔ treatments on small troublesome areas can be arranged at relatively low cost.  There is no safety limit to the number of treatments a person can have.  People who have been partially treated with other types of lasers and/or injection sclerotherapy may need fewer laser treatments.

A: Lasers have been successfully used on many people who could not tolerate or did not obtain satisfactory results with other laser systems. Newer lasers have also been beneficial for people who are having injection sclerotherapy for larger, deeper veins and for people who have had injection sclerotherapy in the past.

A:

The design of newer lasers allows treatment of people with all skin colors.  A smaller number of treatments is needed when the skin is light colored so to get the maximum effect from each session, avoid coming in with a fresh suntan or sunburn at the time of treatment, but even people who have black skin can be successfully treated with the new laser systems in our office. 

Children can be treated but the child must be old enough (for example, 12 years old) to understand and cooperate with treatment.  Tiny lesions such as Óspider hemangiomasÔ sometimes only require 2-3 pulses of the laser.

A: Blood vessels you can see with the naked eye respond best to laser treatment. Vessels so small that they can only be seen with magnification are difficult but not impossible to treat. Vessels larger than 3-4 in diameter and vessels that are considerably elevated above the surface of the skin, respond better to injection sclerotherapy, and even larger ones to surgical removal. The color of vessels can range from light pink to dark purple.

A:

• How much are you bothered by your unwanted blood vessels?
• How much are you bothered by the time you spend concealing your unwanted blood vessels?
• How uncomfortable do your facial, neck, chest, thigh, leg, or other unwanted blood vessels make you feel when you are dealing with other people?
• Does the appearance of your unwanted blood vessels inhibit you in exchanges of affection with your partner? (for example, are you uncomfortable if your partner sees your legs?)
• How uncomfortable do your unwanted blood vessels make you feel when you meet new people?
• Do you fear that the appearance of red vessels on your nose and face makes people think you might be a heavy drinker?
• Do they make you appear much other than you could look?
• How uncomfortable do you unwanted blood vessels make your feel when you go to social gatherings, dine out in a public restaurant, go to a beach, pool or gym or other public place?
• Do your unwanted blood vessels inhibit your choice of clothing or limit the activities you engage in (for example, swimming, wearing shorts, or wearing shorter length skirts)?
• How uncomfortable do your unwanted blood vessels make you feel when you go to work or school?

A:

Unwanted blood vessels on the surface of the skin of the legs to some extent are inherited, and become more common with increasing age.  They can also be made worse by sun exposure, and sometimes become more prominent after pregnancy.  They can sometimes be made worse by or be associated with varicose veins.

Unwanted blood vessels on the face are more common in people who have a tendency toward acne rosacea; and are often made worse by sun exposure.  As with vessels on the legs, there is sometimes a family history of people with a similar problem.

Spider Hemangiomas on the face and other parts of the body are a common nuisance and can be disfiguring.  Most children and adults who have a few spider hemangiomas are perfectly normal and healthy.  Rarely, numerous spider hemangiomas are found to be associated with serious liver disease or other disorders.  People who have just a few spider hemangiomas and who are otherwise healthy, do not need any blood tests or other investigations.

Telangestasia on the face and other parts of the body can sometimes be associated with medications like prednisone or other corticosteriods and with certain skin diseases like lupus.  Sometimes children will be born with port wine stains or other types of hemangiomas, or these may become apparent as the years go on.  Some of the hemangiomas can be improved or even eliminated with vascular lasers.

A: Small moles and freckles do not usually require special precautions. Large, dark moles and freckles that are in the areas to be treated may require a reduction in the intensity of the laser light. Areas containing tattoos, permanent lip liner, or permanent eyebrow liner, cannot be treated because they could absorb too much laser energy and fade, cause discomfort, or even burn.

A:

Other than regular skin care, there is no standard ÓprepÔ for this procedure.  There are not restrictions on eating or drinking before the appointment.  Many people like to take 2 to 3 Tylenol to prevent or reduce potential discomfort.

The area to be treated should be shaved or clipped before coming in for treatment.  Freshly shaved skin is more sensitive, and there is less discomfort if patients wait at least an hour between shaving and having laser treatment.  If there is just a bit of Ópeach fuzzÔ on the skin, this will not be a problem because Ópeach fuzzÔ is very fine and fair and does not absorb laser energy.  Dark hair above the surface of the skin absorbs and wastes laser energy.  It is best to shave about 24 hours before a laser procedure.

Patients should not wear any makeup or at a minimum wear water-based makeup that is easily removed.  Makeup can absorb laser energy and can make the vessels hard to see.  Makeup can be reapplied immediately after the laser treatment.

The length of the procedure can range from a few minutes to an hour or more depending on the amount of vessels to be treated.

A:

The laser system emits only light.  You may feel a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber band.  There is no bleeding and no open wound is created.  Some people find that the first treatment is more uncomfortable than subsequent treatments.  The treatments are tolerable.

People who have had injection sclerotherapy usually report less discomfort and sometimes there is almost no discomfort. 

Our careful use of cooling devices, contributes greatly to comfort and safety.  In addition, we have the ability to adjust the frequency of pulses, power level, duration of the pulse, and width of the beam in sensitive areas to maximize comfort.

Most people find it helpful to take 2 or 3 Tylenol 2 hours before having treatment.  Some women find that they are less sensitive after their menses and prefer to schedule to premenstrual or menstrual time.  Also, patients should make sure not to come hungry or thirsty, as people who are hungry or thirsty tend to be more sensitive. 

A:

Redness often has faded greatly by the next day.  Sometimes the skin may be slightly drier that evening and require more of your favorite moisturizer or aloe vera lotion.  Patients should avoid tanning or sun exposure for at least 2 weeks before any laser treatment. 

The treated vessels, especially on the legs, may appear slightly more obvious or a bit darker for the next week or two, but this is seldom a major problem, and is generally less obvious than after injection sclerotherapy.  Occasionally on the legs, and rarely on the face, there can be isolated superficial bruising which is a nuisance and usually resolves within a week or two on the face, or several weeks on the legs without needing any treatment. 

Fading is often excellent, but varies from patient to patient.  It is impossible to predict what level of improvement any one patient will have.  It can take several months to see the result.   Treated leg veins may look worse at first.  Realistic expectations for improvement and not perfection are essential. 

A:

After blood vessels are treated with laser energy, they sometimes swell up slightly, and the body moves in to begin the job of removing and absorbing the treated vessels.

Sometimes portions of the vessels will seal off immediately, and a bit of blood stays being in the treated vessels, causing temporary red or purple coloration.  If this happens, blood in the vessels is usually reabsorbed along with the vessels themselves by the body over a period of several weeks to a couple of months on the legs, without needing any additional treatment.  If a little pocket of old blood persists, it can easily be removed.

A: Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin, no bandages are necessary. Patients can return to work the same day and resume regular activities. To reduce the change of uneven tanning in the treated area, sun exposure and tanning should be minimized for a week or two after treatment.

A: Pigmented Lesions, birthmarks, brown spots, and age spots are created from an excessive concentration of melanin in the skin. Melanin is what give skin its color. Everyone has a different amount of melanin in his or her skin. Your physician will evaluate your skin and inform you of the specific type of skin lesion. High concentrations of melanin can be due to various factors. Some types are present at birth, but most occur with age or because of over exposure to the sun.

A: The most commonly treated conditions are so lar lentigines, also known as Óage spotsÔ, Óliver spotsÔ or Ósun spotsÔ, cafe au lait birth marks, and freckles. These benign pigmented lesions are due to an excess of pigment in the skin, usually due to sunlight and congenital factors. Age spots may appear as enlarged light freckles on the face and hands. Cafe au lait birthmarks may appear as light brown markings anywhere on the body and can be quite large.

A: Pigmented lesions and age spots are cosmetic problems that do not require treatment for medical reasons. Topical therapies include the use of retinoin (Retin-A), topical Vitamin C or fade creams. These topical therapies are an option, but the results are unpredictable and the response time is 6 months or more for improvement. Make-up is also an option. Cryotherapy can improve pigmented lesions, but often leaves white unpigmented areas or small scars.

A: Most pigmented lesions if completely removed will not return. At times, however, sun exposure may cause cafe au lait spots to return. Permanence cannot be guaranteed. You will also continue to develop more age spots and freckles with time, and the appearance of these new lesions should not be confused with recurrence.

A: There is a high possibility of hair removal in the treatment area. This is caused by uptake of light by melanin in the hair. A normal reaction is that the skin becomes darker immediately after treatment. Crusting of the lesion can be expected. This will clear 1-2 weeks after treatment. In rare cases, temporary pigment changes in the skin might occur, but most patients experience few problems.

A: Yes, if there are hairs present, these can absorb some of the light energy.

A: The number of treatments depends on the lesions being treated. Solar lentigines require 1-3 treatments whereas cafe au lait spots take up to 12 treatments. Recommended treatment intervals are 1 month.

A: Patients with sensitive skin may benefit from a single application of glucocorticoid cream immediately after treatment and antiseptic cream (chlorhexidine 1%) for a few days. Patients should avoid sun for a month or so after treatment and should use a sunscreen (SPF 30) in this period.

A: The laser is efficient in treatment of epidermal lesions such as solar letigines, sunspots, age spots, and cafe au lait spots. It is extremely important to ensure that the lesion is benign, and to take specialist advice from a dermatologist if unsure.

A: Microdermabrasion is a quick and convenient procedure that has become very popular with patients who have early signs of aging, sun exposure, and other facial imperfections. It is a closed vacuum system that delivers aluminum oxide crystals to the skin to aggressively exfoliate away the dull layer of dead skin, smooth and re-texturize the skin, and leave it soft and glowing. A vacuum then suctions away the exfoliated cells and crystals from your skin’s surface.

A: Microdermabrasion is safe for all skin types and colors.

A:

Microdermabrasion is suggested for the following concerns:

• Dull, oily or leathery skin texture
• Minimizing enlarged pores
• Exfoliating and suctioning clogged pores in acne cases
• Polishing and reducing fine lines.  Treatments will not significantly improve advanced deep wrinkles.
• Mild acne scarring
• Mild pigment irregularities
• Enhancing penetration of therapeutic remedies
• Hyperpigmentation
• Minimizing blemishes
• Elimination of white and black heads
• Keratosis Pilaris

A: Not really. Microdermabrasion may sting a little around the eye area. Our Aesthetician will normally increase the treatment strength each session to increase the penetration to the skin. Your skin may feel a little warm and appear a little pink immediately following your treatment, but this is very temporary. You should tell your Aesthetician immediately if your treatment is too uncomfortable; they can adjust the settings if it is too strong for you.

A: Yes. Microdermabrasion is the perfect compliment to other procedures including Laser Skin Rejuvenation.

A: After cleansing the treatment area(s), the aesthetician will apply a non-irritating chemical solution. The chemical solution "peels" away the top layers of your skin, and reveals new, fresher and smoother skin. Depending on the results you desire and the condition of your skin, the aesthetician will customize the peel for either a light, medium or deep peel.

A: A peel usually takes about 15-30 minutes to complete. To achieve your desired results, a series of peels may be scheduled at regular intervals.

A: You can get back to your normal routine almost immediately. There is no downtime associated with either the Micro Peel® or the Vitalize Peel®.

A: Pharmaceutical grade skin care products are FDA regulated. The FDA requires that pharmaceutical grade products be 99.9% pure ingredients. Products must contain 0.1%, or less, of bacteria. Only 5% of the skin care industry is under the regulation established by the FDA and considered pharmaceutical grade. Cosmetic grade products are what department, drug and grocery stores sell. These include the big and expensive brands and the cheaper ones. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows cosmetic grade products to contain up to 30% bacteria. This means that ingredients may only be 70% pure. Plus, pharmaceutical grade products are specially formulated not to dry out your skin like some over the counter products.

A: Consistent use of recommended home skin care products is strongly recommended to achieve and maintain your desired results.

A: Be assured, whatever your unique skin care concerns or problems, we can create a skin care regimen to address those areas. We offer a complete line of skin care products from reputable companies such as SkinMedica and LaRoche-Posay Biomedic. Products are available for any skin type even oily skin, dry skin, and acne.

A: No. Pharmaceutical grade products are available only through physician’s offices. We would be happy to meet with your and help you select the right skin care regimen for you. Our skin analysis and consultation is free and there’s no obligation. Call to schedule your appointment – (866) 81-LASER or (847) 255-7474.

UVA rays are the group of light rays that are the main cause of premature aging of the skin. They cause wrinkles, age spots, and the loss of elasticity. These rays easily penetrate the ozone layer. They also penetrate through the top layer (epidermis) of the skin and deeply into the dermis.
Together with UVB rays, they cause real damage, killing skin cells, dilating blood vessels to produce a reddish skin or sunburn and destroying the vitamins in the skin causing the connective tissue to be destroyed.
The UVA rays also stimulate melanin but more slowly and safely. UVA rays are more pervasive than UVB rays, and penetrate glass and other barriers. Thus, on a long sunny drive, the side of the body nearest the car window will feel the heat and also develop some color.
UVA rays are also 10 to 100 times more numerous than UVB rays.
UV rays increase by 4-8 percent for every 1,000-foot elevation gain. This means the sun at 10,000 feet is at least 40 percent stronger than it is at sea level.
Chances for UV damage increase with altitude and latitude. Higher elevations have a thinner atmosphere, so not only are the rays stronger at higher elevations, you are also closer to the harmful rays, and there is less atmosphere blocking them.
Further, oxygen intake is decreased as elevation is increased. This loss of oxygen equates to a lack of blood supply causing a thinning of skin.

Extremely thin skin surrounding the eyes has the potential to reflect the dark blue color of circulating blood in tissues beneath the surface, causing a dark circle under the eye to appear.

Like skin tone, structure, texture and tint; dark circles under the eyes are passed on genetically. But, heredity is not the only cause.  Other leading factors include:

1. Allergies
2. Illness
3. Dehydration
4. Too much sun exposure

 

Still wondering where your circles come from?  Additional causes are:

1. Fair Skin
2. Colds and Sinus Infections
3. Menstruation, Hormonal Changes & Pregnancy
4. Sleeping on your Stomach which leads to fluid accumulation
5. Aging