Tear Trough Filler Treatments

Tear trough fillers are increasingly popular, not only as an anti-ageing treatment but as a way of refreshing a tired eye at any age. The ‘tear trough’ lies between the cheeks and the lower eyelid – an area which can appear dark and hollowed in youth and is accentuated by age-related volume loss. Being a delicate and ‘thin-skinned’ area, filler injections may not seem an obvious option – but the delicate, drier skin around the eye can in fact be hydrated and strengthened by hyaluronic acid (HA) based filler product – while volume is added to smooth a concave contour.

Some of the advantages of tear trough filler are; a visible reduction in dark under-eye circles, smoothed eye ‘hollows,’ a refreshed & well-rested appearance, an improvement in skin quality via long-term slow-release hydration and a related reduction in wrinkles and fine lines. Along with a hydration ‘boost,’ modern HA dermal filler stimulates collagen production in the deeper skin layers – rejuvenating eye skin from within.

Eye masks and other targeted products – particularly night serums and creams – are on the rise, marketed as specifically formulated for the delicate eye area. These products are increasingly expensive – often involving stem cell factors, either plant or animal derived. Studies continue into the effectiveness of this approach – but it is hard to beat increased hydration when it comes to anti-ageing. Hyaluronic acid’s status as a water-retaining molecule means HA based dermal filler retains water within the skin – an ultra-hydrating effect that continues throughout the treatment’s lifespan as the product is slowly released. Naturally occurring and harmless in its reabsorption, HA fillers are – perhaps surprisingly – the most effective (even cost-effective) means of addressing ageing eye skin.

(Additionally – caring for the thin skin around the eye is not simply a cosmetic issue. Sun-damage, smoking & other environmental factors can all have a more acute effect on the eye skin which is finer and more easily compromised. Vigilant sun protection, an appropriate moisturiser and a non-abrasive make-up remover are all ways to ensure a healthy skin barrier.)

When you opt for a tear trough filler treatment your doctor will explain the procedure in detail. Precise areas may vary patient by patient but generally a series of small injections will be administered into the soft tissue beneath the eye. A topical anaesthetic may be applied prior to treatment and/or there may be an anaesthetising agent in the filler itself. Typically eye filler is a no-downtime procedure, meaning you can go back to work or back to your usual activities immediately. Side-effects may include minor swelling and bruising. As with all injectable treatments it is important not to rub or put pressure on the area for several days and to keep your head elevated in the 24 hours following treatment.

– While this procedure is safe and well-established, the delicacy of the area means a professional approach is especially important. At Santi all injectable treatments are undertaken by plastic surgeons.