Tear Trough Fillers
As part of the natural aging process, our facial structure changes, often resulting in more pronounced features that suggest fatigue and age, such as deeper tear troughs. These creases that run from the lower eyelid to the cheeks are typically where signs of aging first appear in the form of dark circles or under-eye bags. At the practice of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rukmini Rednam, we offer tear trough fillers as a non-surgical solution to these concerns. These dermal fillers are meticulously injected to revitalize the under-eye area, ensuring that our clients from Houston, The Woodlands, and surrounding areas in Texas achieve a rejuvenated and vibrant appearance.
Unlike temporary solutions that merely conceal the symptoms, tear trough fillers address the underlying causes by restoring lost volume and smoothing the transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek. Whether the hollowing is due to aging or genetic factors, Dr. Rednam’s precise and tailored approach helps patients look refreshed and alert.
What are Tear Troughs?
Tear troughs, also known as the nasojugal groove, are the hollows that run from the inner corner of the eye to the cheek. This area is particularly vulnerable to aging due to its thin skin and proximity to the delicate under-eye region. Over time, as skin elasticity decreases and facial fat is lost, these troughs become more pronounced, creating dark circles and emphasizing under-eye bags regardless of a person’s rest or health.
Factors including genetics, aging, and lifestyle choices all contribute to the deepening of tear troughs. As we age, the skin thins further and collagen production decreases, the facial fat that maintains youthful contours diminishes, and the resulting shadowing intensifies the appearance of tiredness. Tear trough fillers offer an effective, non-surgical solution to replenish lost volume and diminish the appearance of these aging signs, helping patients achieve a fresher, brighter under-eye area.
How do Tear Trough Fillers Work?
Unlike temporary fixes like creams and serums, tear trough fillers effectively address the underlying causes of under-eye aging by restoring lost volume and smoothing the transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek. To improve the appearance of the tear trough area, Dr. Rednam uses FDA-approved hyaluronic acid-based fillers, Restylane® L, Restylane® Eyelight and JUVÉDERM® Volbella, which are well-suited for the under-eye area due to their consistency and ability to integrate smoothly with delicate skin tissues.
Hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in our skin, helps retain moisture and adds volume. As we age, the natural decrease in hyaluronic acid leads to the formation of hollows and dark circles under the eyes. By injecting hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®, the tear trough area is plumped, immediately hydrating and volumizing the skin to reduce shadows and puffiness.
Benefits of Tear Trough Fillers
Tear trough filler injections offer a non-surgical alternative to eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and can dramatically improve the appearance of the under-eye area. Using hyaluronic acid fillers, this treatment provides quick, long-lasting results with minimal to no downtime. Benefits include:
- Reduces Dark Circles: Diminishes the appearance of dark circles under the eyes by restoring volume and reducing shadows.
- Smoothes Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Helps smooth under-eye fine lines and wrinkles, rejuvenating your facial appearance.
- Eliminates Hollows: Plumps the under-eye area, restoring volume loss and reducing the hollowed look that can make one appear older and fatigued.
- Camouflages Under-Eye Bags and Puffiness: Fills the tear trough, making the lower eyelid appear more seamless with the cheek, thus minimizing puffiness and the appearance of bags.
- Non-Surgical: A minimally invasive injectable treatment that does not require the complexities or recovery time of lower eyelid surgery.
- No Downtime: Patients can return to their daily routines immediately without any significant recovery period.
Who is a Candidate for Tear Trough Dermal Fillers?
If you are troubled by under-eye hollows or dark circles and prefer a non-surgical method to enhance your appearance, you might be a good candidate for tear trough fillers. This treatment is best suited for those with:
- Good Skin Health: Candidates should have healthy skin without any conditions that could complicate the procedure.
- Realistic Expectations: It is important for patients to understand that while fillers can significantly improve under-eye appearance by restoring volume, they do not guarantee perfection.
- Suitable Dark Circles: The fillers are most effective for dark circles that result from shadowing due to loss of volume. Dark circles caused by skin pigmentation or visible blood vessels under the skin are better treated with other methods such as laser therapy.
Candidates often include those who have good skin elasticity and are looking to achieve a refreshed and youthful look. Individuals with severe skin laxity or significant under-eye fat might require surgical interventions, such as blepharoplasty, to obtain optimal results.
Preparing for Tear Trough Filler Treatment
A successful tear trough filler treatment begins with a thorough consultation. This is an opportunity for you to discuss your aesthetic goals, express any concerns, and establish a clear understanding of the expected outcomes. It’s important to feel comfortable and informed, so this time is crucial for aligning with your expert provider on the desired results.
In preparation for the procedure, avoid blood-thinning medications such as NSAIDs and supplements like fish oil a few days prior to reduce the risk of bruising. On the day of your treatment, please arrive with a clean face free of makeup to ensure the smoothest possible application of the filler.
The Tear Trough Filler Procedure
The tear trough filler procedure is quick, typically taking about 20 minutes, and involves minimal discomfort. Here’s what to expect:
Your expert injector will first cleanse the area under your eyes and apply an anesthetic cream to minimize any discomfort. Using a fine needle or cannula, your practitioner will then carefully inject the hyaluronic acid-based filler into the tear trough area.
You may notice the effects immediately—enhanced under-eye appearance with reduced hollows and shadows. The results are not only apparent right away but also long-lasting, generally maintaining their look for several months depending on the individual and the specific type of filler used.
This procedure is both a fast and effective way to rejuvenate the under-eye area and achieve a more rested, youthful appearance.
Recovery After Tear Trough Filler
There is no downtime or recovery time needed after tear trough dermal fillers. You might experience some minor swelling and redness at the injection sites, but this will quickly resolve on its own.
FAQs about Tear Trough Fillers
Tear Trough Fillers Frequently Asked Questions
JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® are FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers and are considered to be safe and effective. Side effects of tear trough filler treatment are rare and typically mild and temporary, and may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Itching
- Tenderness
Each patient has unique goals and anatomy, and the cost of tear trough filler is dependent upon their customized treatment plan. We will make sure you are fully informed of the cost of your tear trough treatment during your consultation. Typically a ½ to full syringe of filler is needed.
You will begin to notice the results of your treatment immediately!
Tear trough filler treatment can last up to one year. Over time, the hyaluronic acid in dermal fillers is naturally metabolized by the body, so you’ll want to come in for follow-up treatments once you notice your results are beginning to fade.
Absolutely. For more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, our patients may combine their under eye filler injections with BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal filler treatments for other areas of the face (nasolabial folds, smile lines, crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead lines). Be sure to discuss all of your concerns during your consultation so we can help you devise the most effective treatment plan for you.
In addition to non-surgical services, Dr. Rednam also offers a full range of cosmetic surgical procedures to help patients achieve a more youthful appearance, such as facelift, brow/forehead lift, and her fully customized Trifecta Facial Refresh.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are looking to refresh your appearance and diminish under-eye bags and dark circles, contact us to schedule your consultation at Dr. Rednam’s plastic surgery practice. Serving Houston and The Woodlands, we are ready to help you achieve a more youthful and rejuvenated look with tear trough fillers.
1 CUrdiales-Gálvez F, Farollch-Prats L. Management of Tear Trough with Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: A Clinical-Practice Dual Approach. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 May 11;14:467-483. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S301117. PMID: 34012281; PMCID: PMC8127324. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8127324/. Accessed April 11, 2024.
2 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers). Available: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/cosmetic-devices/dermal-fillers-soft-tissue-fillers. Accessed APril 11, 2024.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the risks of dermal fillers? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/safety. Accessed April 11, 2024.
Dr. Rukmini Rednam has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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