Are you a good candidate for under-eye filler?

Have you been feeling self-conscious about dark circles or hollows under your eyes?

You are not alone. These are common issues that can result from genetics, the natural aging process, or lifestyle factors—like not getting enough water or sleep.

Under-eye filler may be one of the few procedures that can actually refresh the appearance of your under-eye area without surgery, depending on what exactly is causing the issues. However, it’s important to know if you are a good candidate for this procedure. The advice below can help you decide whether or not under-eye fillers are going to be right for you.

It’s important to distinguish between dark circles or puffy eyes caused by loss of volume from under-eye wrinkles or dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation in the area. If a patient has true pigmentation, then dermal fillers won’t help. In other words, if the skin under your eye is darker because that’s your natural complexion or because of prior sun damage, dermal fillers, unfortunately, won’t change that. If, however, the darkness is a result of skin laxity from aging or genetics, then a filler may help by adding volume and evenness to fill the hollowness of the dark circles without adding puffiness. Our skilled aesthetic nurse injectors or board-certified plastic surgeons can help you make that determination.

Also, under-eye fillers won’t do much for people with larger bags under the eyes, especially if fat has collected in the area, which can happen as you age. In those cases, we usually recommend blepharoplasty—a surgical procedure that involves tightening the under-eye area by removing sagging skin, muscle, and/or fat—instead.

The benefits of fillers for under-eye wrinkles or dark circles include brightening of the skin and restored volume under the eyes. Under-eye fillers can address wrinkles and fine lines and, because they fill the hollowness under the eyes, they can even out the sunken appearance of the under-eye area.

Why can’t loose skin and excessive under-eye bags be treated?

If you have loose skin or large under-eye bags you won’t be happy with the results of tear trough filler. The loose skin and excessive under-eye bags will remain, no matter how much filler is injected. Blepharoplasty is recommended in cases such as these as it will remove the excess skin and eye bags.

Are under-eye fillers safe?

While dermal fillers are generally safe, all cosmetic procedures come with risks. The area under your eyes is incredibly delicate and full of blood vessels, and thin skin makes this area especially prone to bruising, one of the most common side effects of fillers for eyes. The other most common side effect is swelling. Both of those issues should resolve within a week.

Can fillers ever make under-eyes worse? The answer is, unfortunately, yes. If your fillers aren’t placed properly, you can experience what’s called the Tyndall effect. This happens when the filler is injected too close to the skin’s surface and causes the area to have a light bluish hue (as well as swelling) under the eyes because of how the light scatters. It’s possible the eyes could look more sunken too.

Fortunately, this can be treated with an injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down the hyaluronic acid in the filler. Another possible, more serious side effect of under-eye fillers gone wrong is the development of nodules (growths of skin tissue) after the injection. Thankfully, those can also be resolved with hyaluronidase. Because of the risks involved, this is one procedure for which you absolutely want to go to someone who is very experienced.

Is under-eye treatment painful?

Patients are surprised to find that there is almost no discomfort during treatment of the under-eye area. Despite this, we can still apply a topical anesthetic cream prior to treatment to eliminate any discomfort.

What is the recovery like after under-eye treatment?

Some minor swelling is expected after treatment. This is usually minor and typically resolves within a week. Some patients may also develop minor bruising that can usually be covered with makeup. Patients should avoid exercise for twenty-four hours after the procedure to minimize swelling. Otherwise, patients can resume work and normal activities.

How long do under-eye fillers last?

Dermal fillers typically last from 6 months to a year, but under-eye fillers tend to last longer than that. Results will vary from patient to patient. Because the fillers are in an area of your face that moves less than, say, your lips, the results tend to last longer than in other parts of the face.

Hollow areas and under-eye bags can cause you to look older than you feel. Fortunately, tear-trough filler injections at Optum Plastic Surgery in Seattle, Washington, can improve the appearance of your under-eye area and give you a more youthful look. We invite you to call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons or aesthetic nurse injectors: 206.860.5582.