Syringe or Cannula? Which is Better for Injecting Restylane in Tear Trough? (photos)

In general, a blunt cannula is the better option for this area of the face. Using a blunt cannula will give the following advantages:1) Reduced risk of bruising2) Increased safety for the patientRestylane is a great filler for the tear trough, and will yield a great result when the injections are performed properly by a specialist. I would recommend seeking the advice of the following board certified physicians when having treatment with Restylane:1) Dermatologist2) Facial plastic surgeon3) Plastic surgeonI hope this information helps, and I wish you the best of luck. 

Hi @TrueBlueGirl! Needle vs. Cannula is practitioner dependent. I prefer using a cannula since there are less risks for vascular occlusion and bruising. I recommend seeking treatments from expert injectors who have the skill and experience to precisely inject fillers into treatment areas and avoid risks and complications. Best of luck, Dr. Nima!

I have been injecting tear troughs for over twenty years, dating from the early days using the original Zyderm collagen filler. I have great experience in using both cannulas and needles for treating this delicate region and have found that properly chosen needles can yield excellent results with a side effect profile--i.e. likelihood of swelling and bruising--that is in no way significantly inferior to that achieved with cannulas. I prefer to use Belotero Balance, rather than other fillers, including diluted Restylane (which is often chosen for under the eyes), since this product does not result in the unwanted, bluish Tyndall Effect that can be seen when other fillers are injected too superficially or within the delicate skin under the eyes. I also use only one entrance site per side, just as with cannulas, that is numbed beforehand (making the whole treatment painless) and can reach all areas using a 1.5 inch needle. And since the needle is more rigid than a microcannula, the material placement can be better controlled--meaning a better outcome. It is especially important to seek out a board certified aesthetic core physician with extensive experience and expertise in treating this more demanding location.

While both a needle and a cannula can be used to inject the tear trough, I prefer the cannula.  In my mind, using an instrument that is blunt has clear advantages to a sharp needle.   They include:1)  Decreased risk of bruising2)  Improved safety3)  Less needle sticks in a sensitive area of the faceAs long as the product is place deep, I have never seen the bluish color from injection with Restylane.  Currently, I only use Restylane in the area and I get the best and longest lasting results in this area with that product.I hope this helps.

I much prefer cannula for my injections.  I found that using cannula reduces the incidence of bruising and it makes injection more comfortable for the patient.  However, I would not recommend choosing a doctor based on whether they prefer cannula or needle.  Find a doctor you trust and let them use their preferred method of injection.Best of Luck!