Tear trough nightmare! What can I do? (Photo)

Question

It has been a over 2 1/2 months since I had restylane injected in my tear troughs and only seems to get worse as time goes by. I feel and see the filler hardening to worm like lumps, and my biggest concern is the severe redness it has left under my eyes, which I never had before! I have seen the doctor 3 times now for a follow up, he has done laser treatment on them each time and the color has remained the same and now I’m starting to see veins. This has me so worried! Please help:(

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

The Restylane needs to be removed.  This requires and injection of hyaluronidase. How certain are you that this doctor used Restylane and not some other filler? Stop letting this doctor laser you.  It is harming your skin. It is not complicated. When something is not working, try something different.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @Jayboo123. I'm sorry you are dealing with these complications. The dermal filler was likely not placed in the proper tissue plane. Most facial filler products that are injected into this area should ideally be placed in the tissue plane directly on top of the bone, or at least underneath the eyelid muscle layer. If a facial filler product is placed too superficial in the skin, or on top of the muscle layer, the product may settle in with an abnormal appearance and can look to be lumpy, swollen, or irregular. Another reason for the prolonged swelling can be due to the fact that too much facial filler product was used. The filler products that are preferred to treat this area will have some degree of affinity for water molecules so all of these products will exhibit some degree of hydration and swell once injected into the body. Hyaluronic acid facial filler products that were previously injected into an improper tissue plane can be dissolved by hyaluronidase injections. Best of luck, Dr. Nima!

Alexander Rivkin, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. I'm sorry you had a bad experience.  I suggest having your injector dissolve the filler with Hyaluronidase injections.  This should resolve the issue quickly, although redness may linger for a while after, in which case you should see a dermatologist that may treat you with a low dose topical corticosteroid or mild laser/light treatment to reduce redness. Once all is resolved, please consult with an experienced injector that has plenty of experience treating the tear troughs.  You may even benefit from doing a skin test before the next treatment to be sure there is no reaction.  Best of luck!

Soheila Rostami, MD, FAAO, FAACS · Answer

the picture shows that the product (filler) was placed too superficially in the lower eyelids. The fillers for under eye correction of tear trough should be injected near the bone under the muscle to prevent this tpye of complication. I would recommend to use Hylenex to dissolve the HA product in the area of concern.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and posting your photographs. You should see an experienced Oculoplastic Surgeon for comprehensive evaluation and discussion of treatment options. It appears that you need to have the fillers dissolved and use of topical anti-inflammatory creams. Good luck,

Tear trough nightmare! What can I do? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: I believe the injection has been very superficial and the best solution is to disslove the material if it is HA product.

Answer: I believe the injection has been very superficial and the best solution is to disslove the material if it is HA product.

Answer: Problems with under eye injection of Restylane

Answer: Problems with under eye injection of Restylane

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Everything you need to know about Restylane

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

Tear trough nightmare! What can I do? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: I believe the injection has been very superficial and the best solution is to disslove the material if it is HA product.

Answer: I believe the injection has been very superficial and the best solution is to disslove the material if it is HA product.

Answer: Problems with under eye injection of Restylane

Answer: Problems with under eye injection of Restylane

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Restylane

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