How Come Some People End Up with Bags After Having Restylane Injections?

While Restylane is a great filler for tear trough deformities (grooves that some people get under their eyes), improper placement can end up looking like a blue bulge.  This is usually the case if it is injected too superficially (close to the surface of the skin) or too much is injected.   Another, rarer cause of this problem is if the filler is accidently injected into the lymph vessels in this area.  If this happens it can block the normal circulation of lymphatic fluid and cause a persistent swelling that can look like a bag.  It is crucial to go to not only an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon but also one who does a lot of treatments in this area.  Some cosmetic physicians have limited experience in this area so ask before you make your appointment.

Hi Sarah.  In cases where under eye treatments create bags, the most likely reason is improper placement of the product.  There is a technique known generally as "under the muscle" that is used in this area.  The technique is different in the under eye area than say in the cheeks because of the delicate nature and thin skin found under the eye.  

Many inexperienced (and some experienced) injectors do not use this technique and it often results in the product creating lumps near the surface of the skin.  The best way to avoid this issue is ask what technique your injector uses and view their before and after photos.

We are located in Orange County, offer free consultations regarding this procedure and you can see photos of our work on the tear trough under eye procedure below.

Restylane to camoflage bags under the lower eyes usually works quite well in a properly selected patients. If someone's eyes look puffy after treatment it is usually due to one of three causes. The first is that the eyelids swell for two days following Restylane injections. Second, the best candidates have bags in their lower eyelids then a hollow area called the tear trough, then the cheek mound. Filling the valley between two hills usually works great. I feel the most common reason that lower eyelids look puffy is when a patient has hollowness uner the lower eyelids but not "hill-valley-hill." Filler may not be a good idea or should be put in slowly over a number of sessions to make sure it looks good.