Everything you need to know about under-eye fillers

What are under-eye fillers?

Under-eye fillers, also known as dermal fillers or soft tissue fillers, are injectable hyaluronic acid treatments that can be used to treat volume loss underneath the eyes, colloquially called a “tear trough”. This phenomenon of volume loss or “hollowness” under the eyes, typically leads to dark circles or “shadowing” that can become acute if left untreated. It can also lead to under-eye wrinkles, fine lines and other prominent signs of aging. The three common types of dermal fillers, Restylane, Belotero and Juvederm, are synthetic hyaluronic acid gels used predominantly for facial rejuvenations. They are much gentler formulations and are excellent for filling fine lines and under-eye hollows. Dermal fillers are relatively safe, common and simple procedures that plump sunken areas under the eyes and have become a popular treatment due to their quick and effective results that have little to no downtime.

How do they work?

A dermatologist or licensed medical aesthetician injects the hyaluronic acid in the area directly under the eye using a blunt-tipped cannula or a needle. The whole process takes anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes. There’s no downtime so you can expect to see the results right away. The difference is incredibly subtle and naturally refreshed looking under-eyes. What’s more, the fillers remain for at least six months and can last up to two years. As to what it feels like, contrary to popular belief, under-eye fillers aren’t all that painful. Realistically, the needle may feel a tad uncomfortable when it pricks, but it is quite a non-painful procedure overall. The bruising and swelling varies from person to person, however, it isn’t the norm. To minimize the risk of noticeable bruising, it is recommended to avoid medications and supplements that can thin the blood such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Vitamin E, and fish oil 7 days prior to their appointment.

What are the benefits?

• Immediate Results

The entire procedure has little to no downtime which means you can expect to see the results pretty much immediately. No recovery period is required. Though, the fillers take a few days to fully settle, you will notice a subtle improvement instantly.

• Plump, youthful and bright under eyes

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful moisturizing molecule that's naturally found in the skin, which gives the plumpness to the skin. The hollowness occurs as a result of decreased bone-cell regeneration. This, in turn, is caused due to aging. With under-eye fillers, you can significantly minimize perhaps the most prominent sign of aging, making your under-eyes appear youthful, radiant and visibly brighter. 

• Smooths fine lines and wrinkles

Besides sunken under-eyes, fine lines and wrinkles may also appear as a result of aging skin. Hyaluronic acid binds to water and fortifies the skin’s natural barriers to help retain moisture. This hydration greatly contributes to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers minimize such signs of aging by hydrating and plumping the under-eyes.

• Stimulates skin cell regeneration

As we age, the collagen and elastin production begin to slow down. While dermal fillers won’t necessarily speed up the cell renewal process, the hyaluronic acid injected does help promote skin cell regeneration by offering extra hydration and barrier protection to the skin. This naturally leads to healthier cells and a more youthful looking under-eyes.

• Natural looking

As opposed to more invasive facial treatments and procedures, under-eye fillers are not as dramatic and obvious. The results are subtle and considerably natural, but a definitive improvement is visible.

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