How effective is fat grafting to eliminate dark circles under eyes?

By Christina Jimenez on 18 Mar 2010

What are the risks? Is it worth it? What is the cost? Someone please help me with anything and everything you can think of to help me decide on this procedure. I'm only 19. Mind you, in this picture I'm wearing make-up.

View 31 doctor answers to Fat Transfer for Under Eye Hollows

Comments (8)

Michael A. Persky, MD 25 Apr 2013

Hi Julia, Thanks for you comments. Fat transfer in young patients is great until they gain weight, then they are prone to disasters that are difficult to treat. I am aware of the newest trend of "love Bands" under the lower lids in Asian patients. I'm pretty sure that within a few years we will be seeing some awful enlarged fat under some of these patients lower lids. As far as your Restylane or for that matter any filler, the results and sequelae are not caused by the filler but rather by the technique and use of the filler by the injecting physician. I am sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with your restylane injections.

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LiveFreeForever 20 Mar 2013

Hi Christina, I have the same issue. Some say its called dark circles, some call them bags and some call them hollow/ sunken in eyes? I have been doing research on it and some sources say it is hereditary, others say it is caused from dehydration and lack of sleep which would make sense in my case. How are things going on your end?

Chazuk 5 Jan 2013

Hi Christina did you have any luck ? I am going through the same thing

Misty H. (RealFriend) 29 Jan 2011

I had a first and second stage fat transfer and I have noticed that it has really helped with the appearance of dark circles under my eyes. I am very pleased with the results. Just find a good doctor to do it.

Michael A. Persky, MD 21 Mar 2010

Hi Christina, I would recommend an evaluation with an experienced physician. Restylane injections may be best to fill your hollow areas. Fat transfer in someone as young as you is very risky, especially if you gain weight. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

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Juliabars 25 Apr 2013

Hi Christina, I am surprised by Dr. Persky's answer. In Asia, they often do fat transfers mostly to younger patients because it they have such tight, healthy skin. The only risk involved is that if it goes awry, you'd have to live with it the rest of your young life rather than your older years, when life is supposedly more stable financially and relationship-wise. For now, try exercising more, taking proper vitamins and minerals (B-complex and iron), and get a good hydrating moisturizer for sensitive skin (e.g. Estee Lauder's Verite). I highly discourage getting filler there - I've tried it before, and it aged me tremendously from the major (and irremovable) irritation that it caused me for several months. You'd have to get it filled every 6 months in order to keep it up, and if you discontinue, you may look way worst than you did before. Do your research and only take calculated risks, if any at all.

Michael A. Persky, MD 25 Apr 2013

Hi Christina and Julia, No need for "surprise", actually the proper use of Restylane to fill the lower eye hollows is the standard of care in the USA. We have been using Restylane under the eyes for the past 8 years. Many patients only need one injection session, others 2. I cannot recall a patient who has required 3 sessions, but there may have been. One certainly does not need to be filled every 6 months to keep it up, and we have not had any patient who looks "worse than before". I stand by my previous reply from 3 years ago, a young patient is much better served by the PROPER use of Restylane to fill lower eye hollows than by fat grafts. Dr. P

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Juliabars 25 Apr 2013

Hi Dr. Persky, I was mainly surprised by your answer about fat transfers to younger patients, rather than your comments on restylane. If you notice on plastic surgery websites in South Korea, most of the patients who do very well are very young. I have friends from South Korea and they tell me that most women get some type of plastic surgery as a high school graduation present (a common one being a type of fat transfer under the eyes called "Love Bands"). As for restylane, I certainly did look worse than before I got it done, but that's just my humble opinion after looking at and knowing myself for 20-something years.