Wrinkles are far from the only bothersome sign of aging. With time, our eyes can take on a sunken appearance caused by volume loss. Even the most wrinkle-free visage may be unable to overcome the perception of age that accompanies this hollow look.
Fortunately, an excellent solution exists: tear trough fillers. As the hidden gem of the skincare world, this oft-neglected treatment promises impressive results. Keep reading to learn how these fillers work and why they’re so effective.
What Is a Tear Trough Filler?
Before you can understand what a tear trough filler is or what it’s meant to accomplish, it helps to understand the basics of the tear trough itself. Situated right under the eye, this crease forms a visible depression between the upper cheek and lower eyelid1.
Tear troughs typically have a sunken appearance, causing deep shadows beneath the eyes. These shadows may accelerate the appearance of aging or make you look tired even when you feel well-rested.
Sometimes referred to as undereye fillers, tear trough fillers address shadows or creases beneath the eyes. These fillers can take many forms but typically involve some injection. Hyaluronic acid fillers are especially common.
After discussing your cosmetic concerns with a trusted expert, you’ll return for the procedure. First, the undereye area may be numbed. This adds time to the process but may also bring greater comfort to some people. The filler can then be applied with needles or via cannulas.
Tear Trough Filler Benefits
There’s no denying the aesthetic impact of tear trough fillers. They are also convenient, reliable, and suitable for many people. Pros and cons must be considered before you commit to the treatment, but these benefits are compelling:
Youthful, Bright Appearance
What’s the main objective of tear trough fillers? To refresh an area that often appears dull or tired. Fillers make hollow undereye areas instantly look plumper. This has an immediate impact on overall appearance, delivering a youthful perception above and beyond what many other treatments can provide2.
Avoid Other Treatments
When attempting to reduce the signs of age, a natural look is best achieved by opting for a few strategic treatments that fly under the radar. Tear trough fillers fit this definition wonderfully. Many people find that they’re perfectly willing to let a few crow’s feet or laugh lines stick around so long as they can avoid a sunken appearance in the undereye area.
Quick Results
On the hunt for a treatment that will deliver an almost instant makeover? Tear trough filler treatments should be top candidates, as they can be applied in a few short minutes. While the effects are temporary, the results often last for an entire year.
Minimal Downtime
Many cosmetic treatments prompt significant downtime, but this is rarely the case for tear trough fillers. As mentioned above, the treatment itself only lasts a few minutes. There’s no need to return home to recover after the procedure; while some swelling is possible, you will have no trouble going about your day when the procedure is complete.
Are There Any Downsides?
While tear trough fillers can provide many benefits, there are a few downsides worth discussing. Most of these can be avoided by working with a trusted and highly experienced injector.
Swelling or Soreness
Common side effects of tear trough fillers include temporary swelling or soreness of the undereye area3. This typically disappears after a few days, although some people report swelling for over a week. Plan to get injections at least two weeks before important events when in doubt.
Discoloration
Sometimes referred to as the Tyndall effect, discoloration can occur if the filler is injected superficially beneath the skin4. Often green or blue, this effect is heightened in daylight. The discoloration may be significant enough to resemble mild bruising in severe cases.
Results Are Temporary
Lasting up to one year, tear trough filler results stick around long enough to please most people. Still, it’s important to remember that future treatments will be needed to maintain a youthful undereye aesthetic.
Is There an Ideal Candidate for Undereye Fillers?
While many types of people can benefit from tear trough fillers, the treatments tend to have the greatest visual impact on those with a consistently sunken appearance beneath their eyes.
Occasional circles from a bad night of sleep may not be sufficient to warrant this proactive solution. If, however, tear troughs are firmly set in place and appear to be worsening with time, fillers can reverse these effects and bring about a youthful, refreshed appearance.
Because not all types of undereye fillers are ideally resolved with tear trough fillers, it’s important to work with an expert who will give you open and honest feedback. This professional can quickly determine whether your undereye shadows are caused by discoloration or volume loss. If hollowness is the culprit, tear trough fillers may be recommended5.
How Much Do Tear Trough Fillers Cost?
Tear trough filler treatment costs can vary dramatically based on where they are obtained and which types of fillers are used. The number of syringes required will also play heavily into the final cost.
In general, it’s not wise to skimp on this procedure. An exceptional level of precision is required; seemingly small differences in filler application can lead to disappointing results. For quality work, expect to pay at least $800—and potentially well over $1,0006. Remember, however, that the results will last up to a year and could have a far more impressive impact than other procedures.
Which Tear Trough Solutions Produce the Best Results?
While many tear trough procedures are available, thin fillers are always preferable. The undereye area is one of the most delicate and sensitive, so soft fillers such as Volbella, Restylane-L, or Belotero should be used whenever possible.
Juvederm Volbella XC recently received FDA approval, making it an excellent choice for safe and effective undereye fillers7. Other fillers do not yet have this distinction, so Volbella should provide much-needed peace of mind.
No matter which undereye treatment you select, working with a highly skilled injector is imperative. As a notoriously vascular area, the tear troughs present numerous challenges that only the most experienced providers can handle. With an expert leading the way, you can feel confident that sunken eyes will be a thing of the past.
SOURCES:
- Cleveland Clinic: ” Are Tear Trough Fillers Effective for Undereye Bags?“
- Allure: ” Undereye Filler Makes Dark Circles Disappear, But Proceed With Caution.“
- Healthline: ” Undereye Tear Trough Filler: What You Should Know.“
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: ” Management of Tyndall Effect.“
- Self: ” Considering Under-Eye Filler? Here’s What to Expect.“
- Glamour: ” 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Undereye Filler.“
- DermatologyTimes: ” FDA Approves Juvederm Volbella XC for Undereye Hollows.“
