Tear Trough Treatment With Under Eye Filler

What is Tear Trough Filler?

Tear trough filler, also known as under eye filler or dermal filler, is a non-surgical injection procedure performed by a certified medical professional. This filler adds volume beneath the eyelids and decreases indentation, and is also used less frequently to treat puffy eye bags. Tear trough filler is not permanent, but results can last up to one year after injection.

The key ingredient used for this procedure is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring gel-like substance produced in the body that helps in maintaining the volume and moisture under the skin by hydrating from the inside – giving your skin a fuller, more youthful appearance. It has also been shown in research studies to slow down the physiological process of aging in the area.

Tear trough filler is highly recommended for people seeking a long-lasting solution to dark circles and wrinkles around their eyes. Some key benefits of the tear trough filler treatment include:

• Reduces dark circle beneath the lower eyelid
• Adds volume and and helps the texture beneath the lower eyelid
• Improves general skin quality
• Rejuvenation of tired eyes

The FDA has approved dermal filler for use only in your cheeks, lips, nasolabial fold, and hands, but doctors commonly use injectables in an off-label context while still adhering to all necessary safety standards and product guidelines.

Are You The Right Candidate For Tear Trough Filler?

Anybody suffering mild to moderate sagging beneath the lower eyelid and/or discoloration beneath the eyelid due to deep tear troughs is a candidate for tear trough filler treatment. An ideal candidate has already tried other solutions like eye creams, but just isn’t getting the desired results.

Before undergoing treatment, you are required to consult with one of our licensed injection specialistsprior to the procedure to get an in-depth understanding of the process and potential outcome. During this consultation session, your provider must confirm that:

• You have no preexisting condition that may lead to complication during the process
• You are physically healthy
• You do not show allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid filler
• You have no active skin infection in the area
• You are well-informed of all possible complications
• You have an understanding that the treatment is temporary

If you don’t meet one or all of these requirements, then the tear trough filler procedure might not be the best fit for you. If so, visit us to discuss the safest alternative options. If you do meet all requirements, you’re on the right track towards a successful tear trough filler procedure.

How Effective and Long-Lasting Is the Tear Trough Filler?

The tear trough filler is a relatively safe, effective and efficient procedure compared to traditional techniques like invasive excision of muscle, skin, and fat as well as chemical peels. The tear trough filler procedure is also significantly less invasive compared to fat-based surgical procedures like fat grafting and fat repositioning.

Tear trough filler results are seen almost immediately, and most patients will typically see final settled results once the swelling resolves in two weeks. However, it’s important to remember that tear trough filler treatment isn’t permanent – effects typically last for one to two years, but will gradually wear off over time as the body naturally absorbs the hyaluronic acid.

The duration of tear trough filler depends on both its viscosity and how fast the body metabolizes the hyaluronic acid solution. Usually, thinner and less viscous fillers last anywhere from 3-6 months while thick and highly viscous fillers can last up to 2 years.

Are There Alternative Tear Trough Treatments Other Than Fillers?

Of course, more traditional techniques can present a viable solution. You can try vitamin-rich eye creams, but creams typically involve daily application and often don’t provide noticeable results. Other, more long-lasting techniques rely on surgical excision and chemical peeling – two methods that are highly invasive.

Alternative treatment options include surgery, botulinum toxins and volume replacement. These types of treatments are usually tailored towards specific anatomical procedures. That said, it is essential to point out here that there are many scenarios in which surgery could be the best option for you.

What Is The Tear Trough Filler Treatment Procedure?

Prior to receiving tear trough filler, you will undergo a medical examination by a trained and certified professional who will assess the shape and anatomy of your lower eyelid. In addition, he or she will also check the texture and thickness of your skin. This will enable them to make an informed decision on the best plan of action for your skin type and facial topography.

If the filler injection procedure is recommended, the next step is to decide the type of filler that will best suit your skin. The type of filler will be determined by the depth of your tear trough and skin texture. Some of the most common fillers include:

• Belotero – A temporary filler designed to smoothen out or fill in moderate to severe lines. Belotero lasts about 3-6 months.
• Voluma – An injectable hyaluronic acid filler that is more firm and has a two year longevity. It’s especially good for those with deeper hollowing.
• Restylane – An injectable hyaluronic acid filler that has been used extensively in the under-eye area with a 9 to 12 month longevity.

Once these decisions have been made, your procedure will be scheduled. A tear trough filler procedure is divided into 3 simple steps that take an average of 10 minutes each. These steps are:

Disinfection

The main goal of disinfection is to guard against infection of any form, especially by the micro-organisms that interact with your skin on a daily basis. During this process our medical professionals will apply disinfectant to sanitize the lower eyelid and the skin around the tear trough region.

Anaesthetization

Anaesthetization induces a superficial decrease in pain sensation. It may also significantly prevent bruising of your skin during the process. Usually, topical anesthetic agents like lidocaine, epinephrine, tetracaine among others are used for this purpose.

An ice pack placed on your lower eyelid can also serve the same purpose to a lesser degree. Either way, the anesthetic agent numbs the area of your skin within the tear trough and makes the procedure more comfortable for you. We also offer nitrous (laughing gas) in addition to an anesthetic to ease anxiety and help you relax.

Injection

After anaesthetization, your medical professional will prepare a syringe containing the injectable filler. Depending on their choice of filler, the syringe is either connected to a sharp or blunt needle. The filler will then be gently injected into the skin. The injection process can be slightly painful, but is usually much more comfortable in the eye trough area than other areas of the face. Most patients tell us that the level of pain with our injection technique is a 2 out of 10.

The injection is followed by light massage to evenly spread the filler within the tear trough area. The procedure is then repeated for the other under eye trough. The injection itself should typically take no longer than 10 minutes.

What Self-Care Measures Should I Adopt After Receiving a Tear Trough Filler?

Any minor bruising, swelling and redness around the tear trough area will typically improve 48-72 hrs after the procedure. However, you can avert the possibility of any minor complication by:

• Decreasing the amount of smiling and tense facial expressions for 3 days
• Avoiding extreme temperature environments (too hot or too cold)
• Applying ice on the area intermittently for the first 48 hours to minimize bruising
• Avoiding strenuous activity or exercise for the first 48 hours
• Avoiding sleeping with your face down
• Avoiding rubbing your eyes in the first 6 hours post-procedure (you can do a gentle clean of the area using soap and water)

Why You Need An Experienced Professional To Perform Injections

The tear trough filler procedure is a delicate process because of the close proximity to the eyes. Injectors must be extremely careful to avoid any complications that may affect the patient’s vision. It goes without saying that tear trough injections require an expert with a proven track record administering under-eye fillers.

It’s important to not mistake those flashy high-tech waiting rooms you see in medical spas as a sign of experience – you should focus on getting a quality and complication-free service from an experienced specialist.

Experienced injection specialists are highly trained in the correct injection techniques. They are also experts in choosing the best injection site and the right filler to meet their clients’ needs.

When researching for an injection specialist, it is vital that:

• You do your research on patient testimonials
• You double check that the medical director is a specialist in injectables
• You check to see that the medical director is usually present at the office
• You observe the before-and-after photos

During initial consultation, it’s important to gather a medical professional’s experience in the area. It is perfectly okay to ask questions like:

• What training do you have for under eye fillers?
• What’s your experience in performing the tear trough filler procedure?
• How do you know if this procedure is suitable for me?
• What realistic expectations do you have after this procedure?

A well-qualified injection specialist will candidly answer these questions and by doing so, calm any doubts you might have about their abilities and professionalism.

Are There Any Side Effects With Tear Trough Filler?

Although the tear trough filler procedure is relatively safe, side effects like bruising, swelling or redness of the skin are common. These side effects are temporary in nature and should resolve after a few days.

However, more serious complications may occur in the form of:

• Filler becoming lumpy/uneven
• Bluish discoloration of the skin, also referred to as Tyndall effect
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Edema or swelling around the eyes
• Blindness resulting from Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO)

We advise that you consult your injection specialist immediately should any of these complications arise.