When getting filler in the under eye area, can the area be numbed first?

I have rarely needed to add anesthetic prior to injecting fillers, and the under eye area is no more sensitive than other areas. The fillers we use already have anesthetic in them which dramatically reduces discomfort already. That said, you certainly can apply a numbing cream 45-60min prior to your appointment (or use an ice pack during the procedure, or take acetaminophen 1 hr prior) and that would reduce the modest discomfort even further. Filling the under eyes is pretty much the most challenging area to treat, so make sure to find a cosmetic skin expert (e.g. dermatologist) who is highly trained and experienced for optimal results and safety, and a natural look.

The key is for the injector to be gentle when doing the injections. I prefer to use a cannula for most filler injections under the eyes. Patients typically do not find it to be a painful procedure. With good technique there is typically only minor discomfort. The filler itself contains lidocaine which is a numbing agent so any discomfort is further reduced as the injections proceed.Regards,Dr. Ort

Hello - good question.
We always numb our patients with topical numbing cream under the eyes before injections to make it more comfortable for the patient. Most fillers have lidocaine in them, so it will continue to numb the area as filler as injected. Every practice is different in how they numb, so your best bet would be to call ahead and ask.
Best of luck!

Hi! Every office/injector does their numbing a bit different. Some injectors rely on the lidocaine within the filler to help aid in pain management. Other options include a topical BLT cream that is applied to the skin about 20 minutes prior to injection or performing a local injection of lidocaine to the insertion site. Options vary based on whether the provider is using a needle or cannula to inject and patient or provider preference. I would recommend you discuss what options your provider offers to be educated on what to expect with your treatment. 

Thank you for your message. The undereye area can be tricky to numb with topical agents as most you do not want to get into the actual eye as they can cause negative side effects. Sometimes injections can be used to numb the area. A lot of fillers have lidocaine built in to help alleviate some of the discomfort as well! Ice can be used right prior to injections to help ease some of the discomfort as well! Every office does things a bit differently so I would go to a provider in your area to see what options they have for you!

Hi,Yes, either topical numbing or local anesthesia can be used. I perform a V2 block which is a regional block that numbs the under eye area (like a dental block) and I use a cannula to perform the augmentation. Best,

At NEOSKin center, we do inject lidocaine laterally by the cheek before we inject using a cannula (fancy word for flexible straw) before injecting the tear troughs. For the cheeks, we tend not to use numbing cream because the filler has lidocaine in it and the procedure is well tolerated by patients. For the lips and lower face we do use topical numbing cream before injecting.