Are under eye fillers a bad choice in the long run?

Question

I have dark circles under my eyes that always make me look tired. Im tempted to try under eye fillers, until I can afford surgical options. I've heard that these fillers can be a poor option, because of issues like drawing in too much water to the area. Do they also stretch the skin after awhile?

Ali Ghafouri, MD · Answer

It is very important to go to a very experienced injector when considering filler for this very delicate area. In most cases a HA filler that is not exceptionally hydrophilic is a great choice. Belotero and Restylane-L are commonly used for this area. Your injector will decide on the appropriate product based on the severity of the deficit. When filler is properly injected to fill the tear trough, it should look very natural.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

The eye area needs significant combinations to get improvement. Lasers like erbium, co2, halo, profractional/contour, or Fraxel can all be used to build collagen long term. Plasma pen is a newer less invasive option but will take many treatments and require proper skincare. Plasma Pen is focused electrical plasma energy to tighten skin, producing small columns of energy just above the skin, allowing the skin to tighten to help improve wrinkles. This area will have 3-5 days of small “dots” that will then scab and peel, then the skin will tighter and brighter after. Numerous treatments are needed over lasers where only one or two give a bigger result, but more downtime. After plasma pen you NEED peels 2 weeks like later Cosmelan, enlighten or aerify, see emeragecosmetics (link). At home derma rolling should be started weekly even after plasma pen or lasers to further increase collagen, see emeragecosmetics AERIFY x anteagemd stem cell ampules. To properly heal you need light Stim red LED, EmerageSkin refit face, refit eye; AnteageMD serum, silagen silicone gel, jan Marini bioshield, EmerageSkin enzymatic polish, and EmerageSkin hyla b and AOX, and Sente dermal repair. Otherwise there is EXTREME risk of pigmentation issues and “dots” in the treatment area. at home peels like cosmelan, enlighten and aerify along with dermarolling (AERIFY emerageskin roller with Anteage MD ampules) should be started now regardless for antiaging, sun damage, and wrinkle prevention. There are many things you can do to treat under eye hollows and dark circles. A surgical option to remove skin and/or fat will such as eyelid blepharoplasty with or without fat pad repositioning (if doing lower eyelid surgery) will be the best long term. There are many things you can do to treat under eye hollows and dark circles without surgery. Non invasive less downtime options such as fillers, lasers, microneedling/PRP, cosmelan peels, and microneedling RF like Fractora, PiXel8 or morpheus can all help give some improvement. Accutite can often be used or stronger lasers like erbium or co2 spot treatment can tighten the skin and give very quick improvement in wrinkles and texture. I suggest you get a formal consultation to see what is best for you and your goals. Best, Dr. Emer.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

I have personally been using fillers for the under eye region for well over three decades, going back to the days of the original collagen filler, Zyderm I collagen,  which was used for this purpose. For the past nearly two decades, HA fillers have supplanted these earlier injectables and there are fillers specifically made for use under the eyes. Excess tissue fluid, such as you describe, or lymphedema can occasionally occur, but this is usually the result of novice, non-physician injectors improperly injecting the filler too superficially within the delicate, thin, under eye skin or choice of an inappropriate filler for this region.  You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist and make certain to ask to see his/her personal before and after photos of under eye filler treatment before agreeing to proceed. Best of luck.

Are under eye fillers a bad choice in the long run?

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Are under eye fillers a bad choice in the long run?

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Everything you need to know about Belotero

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.