A tear trough is a deep crease between the lower eyelid and upper cheek. It can sometimes cast a shadow below your eyes, resulting in a tired appearance. Some people think their tear troughs make them look older.
In certain individuals, tear troughs are an inherited trait. In others, tear troughs become more prominent with age. That’s because facial tissues lose volume as you get older.
The goal of a tear trough filler is to reduce the depth of a tear trough. A trained medical professional injects a dermal filler into the area, making the skin look fuller and tighter. It’s a nonsurgical method of facial rejuvenation.
But like other types of facial fillers, tear trough fillers have pros and cons. It’s important to understand the procedure and potential complications before getting the treatment.
A tear trough filler is an injectable treatment that’s used under the eyes. Its purpose is to add volume beneath the eyelids.
The product most often used in this area is one typically made of hyaluronic acid, although other ingredients may be used. Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that naturally exists in your body.
When injected into the skin, hyaluronic acid increases fullness and decreases indentations.
Tear trough fillers are relatively safe. They’re also less invasive than tear trough surgeries, which include fat grafting and fat repositioning.
The FDA has only approved one brand of under-eye filler to increase the fullness of a hollow under-eye area for people 22 and older: the Juvederm Volbella filler. But its approval does not mean that the procedure is without risk.
The FDA has not approved
The effects of tear trough fillers are also only temporary. They last about 1 year for most people. You’ll need repeated treatments to maintain long-term results.
Does getting an under-eye filler hurt?
The pain of an under-eye filler is usually manageable and lasts for only a few minutes. You’ll feel pressure around the eye area which can be unsettling, but the pain itself is minimal.
Tear trough filler is used to make the trough less pronounced, which can make the face look more awake.
Many people, especially those who’ve done the research and have realistic expectations, are good candidates for the procedure. But you should always consult a doctor about your medical history before any cosmetic procedure.
You might be an ideal candidate for tear trough filler if you:
- have mild to moderate sagging under the eyes
- have healthy, thick skin
- have realistic expectations
- understand the treatment is temporary
- are physically healthy
Alternatively, you may not be a good candidate if:
- your skin is very thin
- you have excess skin beneath the eyes
- your tear troughs are very deep
- you have excess fat under your eyes
- you have an active skin infection in the area
- you have a medical condition that increases your risk of complications
- you have very dark circles
It can be helpful to see results from real people who’ve had tear trough filler when deciding if the procedure is right for you.
Photo Credit: Anido J, et al. (2021). Recommendations for the treatment of tear trough deformity with cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
The total cost of tear trough fillers depends on how many syringes you need. If your tear troughs are shallow, the medical professional may use one syringe for both sides. If your tear troughs are deep, you may need one syringe for each side.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of hyaluronic acid is $684 per syringe. Therefore, the procedure can range between $684 to $1,500. Your treatment might cost more or less, depending on your geographical location and the medical professional’s experience.
Tear trough fillers aren’t covered by health insurance. The procedure is cosmetic and considered nonessential.
It’s also important to remember that tear trough fillers are temporary. You’ll need repeated treatments if you wish to maintain the effect. Many people repeat the injection every 1 or 2 years.
Alternatives to tear trough fillers
If you like the idea of brightening and plumping your under-eye area but aren’t sure if tear trough fillers are right for you, you may also consider alternative procedures like:
- Botox
- blepharoplasty
- take an antihistamine
- minimize salt intake
- eye fillers
- try at-home remedies
Before receiving tear trough fillers, a trained medical professional will assess your lower eyelids. They’ll also check the texture and thickness of your skin. Additionally, they’ll determine what type of dermal filler is best for your needs.
Your procedure will take place in a medical office. Here’s what you can expect:
- A medical professional disinfects the skin to prevent infection. A topical anesthetic may be applied to the area to prevent bruising, or they may place an ice pack on your lower eyelids. This numbs the area and decreases pain.
- Next, they prepare a syringe containing the filler. The syringe is connected to a blunt or sharp needle, depending on their choice. They inject the filler into the skin beneath your lower eyelid.
- As they inject the filler, they slowly withdraw the needle. They lightly massage the area to spread the filler. The procedure is repeated beneath the other eyelid.
You can go home once the procedure is done. You’ll likely have some swelling, bruising, and redness. These side effects usually improve after 48 to 72 hours.
The area under your eyelids will look fuller right away. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to see the full results. Be sure to follow post-treatment instructions, which typically include the following:
- Avoid intense activity for 24 to 48 hours.
- Apply ice during the first 48 hours.
- Avoid sleeping face down.
- Use your fingers to gently massage any lumpy areas.
Tear trough fillers are largely safe, though no cosmetic procedure is entirely without risk. In rare cases, it’s possible for under-eye fillers to cause blindness (this happens when a filler blocks the blood vessel that supplies blood to the eye).
From an aesthetic perspective, if the filler is done improperly, it could cause lumpiness at the injection site or even move to a different area of the face.
Generally, hyaluronic acid fillers have a low instance of long-term side effects. Possible complications of tear trough fillers include:
- headache
- skin discoloration
- allergic reactions
- persistent pain
- edema (swelling) around the eye
- filler forming into lumps
- granuloma (small area of swelling or inflamammation)
- infection
- vascular side effects
- lack of desired results
- permanent blindness due to central retinal artery occlusion (very rare)
Some complications can happen 2 weeks after the procedure. Therefore, it’s important to see your doctor if you have:
- worsening bruising
- worsening redness or swelling
- persistent numbness
- severe pain
- signs of infection
- vision changes
- red or painful lumps
- delayed allergic reaction to the product
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor immediately if you’re experiencing vision changes, excessive swelling, discoloration, numbness, or worsening bruising.
If you’re interested in tear trough fillers, take the time to find an experienced cosmetic surgeon, plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or another trained medical professional.
A qualified provider will be trained in the correct injection technique. They’ll also know how to choose the best injection site and pick the right filler for your needs. This will reduce your risk of complications.
To find a qualified cosmetic surgeon in your area, visit the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery website and use their search tool. You can also locate a board certified plastic surgeon using the search tool on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website, or find a dermatologist on the American Academy of Dermatology website.
At your initial consultation, ask the medical professional questions like:
- Were you trained specifically in dermal fillers?
- How long have you been performing tear trough fillers?
- How did you train for the procedure?
- Do you have before and after photos of past patients?
- How will you determine if the fillers are right for me?
- What can I expect during the procedure and recovery?
If you have deep creases under your eyes, tear trough fillers may be an option to reduce them. The procedure typically involves injecting hyaluronic acid beneath your lower eyelids. This makes the area look fuller.
Since the effects are temporary, you’ll need to repeat the treatment every 1 or 2 years. It’s also a cosmetic procedure, so it’s not covered by insurance.
Tear trough fillers are generally considered safe. But you might not be a good candidate if you have very thin skin or underlying medical conditions. A trained medical professional can determine if the treatment is right for you.