One of the more common requests patients have now a days is tear trough fillers. While some are candidates for filler in this area, often not many are good candidates.
The tear troughs unfortunately can show aging signs quicker than other areas and are difficult to treat. The anatomy of the eyes is important to understand, along with the aging process and what can be done. There are fat pads around the eyes that provide cushion to the areas. As we age, these fat pads can shrink or shift, which contributes to under eye circles, puffiness, or just looking tired. The bone surrounding the eye sockets also begins to shrink during the aging process. This shrinking can cause a hollowed look. The skin around the eye area is very thin, and not forgiving.
Placing hyaluronic acid fillers into the tear trough area can provide a more youthful, well rested, appearance. Filler works by filling in these hollowed areas and eliminating shadows, smoothing out the area, and giving support back to the eyes that have been lost due to aging. Filler can be placed by using a fine needle or a cannula. Results are immediate and can last about 6 months to a year, while some people notice longer results. There is minimal downtime after the procedure. You should avoid wearing makeup for 24 hours after injections and avoid increasing your heart rate the day of to prevent bruising. Some bruising and swelling are common.
Not everyone is a good candidate for tear trough fillers. People that are prone to puffiness or fluid retention under their eyes should avoid filler in this area. Fillers can attract water in the body, and if you already are prone to more fluid in this area, it could increase the puffiness. If your skin is very thin, then fillers may not be a great option. Filler that is placed too superficial can give off a bluish tint, called Tyndall, and if your skin is not thick enough to appropriately cover the filler. Hyperpigmentation or texture issues cannot be corrected using fillers either.
If your provider determines you are not a good candidate there are plenty of other options to help! Treatment with medical-grade skin care, peels, facials, lasers, or PRP are all good options and often used together. If your main concern is excess loose skin, drooping, or sagging in the under-eye area, you might be a better candidate for the surgical procedure, blepharoplasty, with Dr. Hamilton.
Sometimes other areas can be treated instead and provide results to improve the tear troughs as well. Often perceived darkness or hollowing in the eyes are actually due to lost support in the midface. Most patients that come in with complaints about their eyes looking tired or dark are good candidates for cheek fillers. By replenishing lost volume in the cheeks, this provides the needed support to the rest of the face while restoring a more youthful look. We work with you to give you the most natural, but refreshed look possible.
To determine if you are a candidate for tear trough filler or to learn what options are best for you, schedule a consultation with one of our advanced nurse injectors today!