What Is Tear Trough Filler? A Guide

Tear trough filler continues to be a popular aesthetic treatment in the UK. This is an injectable treatment that adds volume to hollows to refresh this area. However as with anything in life, there are no short cuts or silver bullets. Tear trough fillers can be a safe and effective way to treat under eye hollows and reduce the appearance of bags. However, there are risks and limits to the treatment. Also the results vary from person to person and not everyone can benefit from this treatment. If you are considering this treatment, we have put together this guide. Read on for everything you need to know about tear trough filler. We discuss how tear trough filler works, how long it lasts, what the treatment involves, risks, limitations and what to expect.  

What Is Tear Trough Filler?

Tear trough filler is an injectable treatment for the under the eyes. It is an increasingly popular treatment as it helps rejuvenate and revitalise your under eyes. People tend to opt for this treatment if they want to correct under-eye circles, reduce the appearance of under-eye bags, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and achieve natural results.

Usually, tear trough fillers use hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient because of its safety record. It is a colourless gel-like substance that you can naturally find in our bodies. It is synthesised in the lab to create dermal fillers. The purpose of using this ingredient is to increase the fullness of under eyes while decreasing indentations. This removes the hollowing in the under-eye area leaving it looking smoother and brighter. It can help achieve a more youthful-looking appearance while also minimising the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags. 

Where Can I Get it Done?

 This is a highly specialised procedure and you should only see an experienced medical practitioner. As well as helping determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for this treatment, they will also help reduce the risk of the procedure. Injection of any type of filler carries general risks such as bruising, infection, lumps, asymmetry or more rarely inflammation or scars. These risks are hugely reduced by using the correct technique and appropriate filler. Your practitioner should have extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the face because the incorrect placement of the filler can have serious consequences such as infection or chronic inflammatory reactions. In the worst-case scenario, the incorrectly placed filler can get into blood vessels and cause skin loss or even blindness. Whilst these risks are rare, it highlights the importance of carefully considering treatments and choosing the right clinic and doctor.

How Does This Treatment Work?

Tear trough filler is a pain-free non-surgical treatment. However, it is an advanced dermal filler procedure. Hence it should only be done by an experienced medical practitioner like an aesthetic doctor or dentist. Before starting, they will apply a topical anaesthetic to your skin to numb the treatment area. This is so you do not have to worry about experiencing any pain. At most, you may feel some slight discomfort. They will then inject filler precisely injected underneath your skin and muscle with a thin needle or microcannula. This lifts the tissues to restore volume to hollows under the eyes. The effect of this is a smoother transition between the cheek and under-eye skin which gives the appearance of lightening any dark circles and reducing the appearance of bags.

The procedure should take no longer than 15-30 minutes. Your practitioner will analyse how the filler works once administered and apply more if they feel it is necessary. Usually, you will see the outcome immediately although the final appearance may take 2-4 weeks as the treatment settles. After the treatment, you may experience some slight bruising and mild swelling. This is nothing to worry about. Your practitioner will then share some specialist skincare advice to help you look after your skin and also advise you on what to look out for in terms of potential complications or side effects.  

For more information, please read our insider’s guide to tear trough correction.

Tear Trough Filler Before and After

Tear trough fillers offer immediate results and some incredible benefits. Immediately after the treatment, you can notice the effect of filling the under-eye hollows which helps to brighten the under-eye area and rejuvenate the skin. Your under eyes will look rejuvenated and smoother – whilst refreshing your appearance by lightening the appearance of dark circles and reducing the appearance of under-eye bags. It is however important to appreciate that there are a number of factors that affect the result of tear trough fillers. The most important ones are using it for appropriate cases, the type of filler used and the experience and expertise of the practitioner. 

For patients with mild or moderate under-eye bags that are worsened in appearance by hollowing between the cheeks and the under-eye area, tear trough filler can smooth out and reduce the prominence of under-eye bags. What tear trough filler treatment can not do is correct under eye darkness caused by hyperpigmentation. It also can not treat under-eye bags directly, it can only conceal them. In patients with under-eye bags who suffer from puffiness or water retention, tear trough fillers may make this appear worse. Use of the correct filler and technique is also crucial. This can avoid the appearance of bulkiness, puffiness, discolouration, lumpiness and of course more serious complications.

Which Type of Filler is Best for Tear Troughs?

The choice of dermal filler is absolutely essential when it comes to treating the under-eye area. We only advocate using hyaluronic acid dermal fillers for the face and neck because they can be dissolved with hyaluronidase and hence are safer. For the tear troughs, most providers prefer Teosyal Redensity 2. This is currently the only filler approved by the FDA for use in the under-eye area. It is specially formulated for tear trough correction. As such, it is thin and less hydrophilic hence reducing the risk of bulkiness or water retention. Teosyal Redensity 2 also contains vitamins and antioxidants which help improve under-eye skin quality and appearance.    

How Much Tear Trough Filler Will I need?

Due to the delicate nature of this area, a less is more approach is usually applied with tear trough filler. As a general rule, most reputable clinics will usually only inject 1ml of tear trough filler shared between both under eyes to avoid overcorrection. Once the treatment settles then a second treatment 4-6 weeks later may be needed to achieve the optimal outcome in the case of moderate to severe tear troughs. In patients with severe midface hollowing, cheek filler is usually also recommended at the same time as the initial treatment to better support and enhance the effects of tear trough filler.

How Long Does Tear Trough Filler Usually Last?

It is important to note that tear trough fillers are not permanent. Once injected, they can last anywhere between 8 to 12 months on average. The biggest factor in how long they last is how quickly your metabolism breaks down the filler. Once the filler dissolves it is absorbed by your body and removed. The treated area will return to its previous appearance. If you wish to maintain the results of the treatment, you will need to undergo the procedure regularly but we recommend waiting for the previous filler to largely dissolve in order to avoid overcorrection. 

The fact that hyaluronic acid tear trough fillers are temporary and can be dissolved sooner is a huge benefit. It firstly makes them safer and means that the treatment can be adapted to your face as you get older if you wish to maintain the outcome. It also means you do not have to commit to the procedure for the rest of your life. Additionally, if you are not happy with the result, they can be dissolved sooner. So, if you no longer wish to have them, you can get rid of them easily.

Is Tear Trough Filler Safe?

Tear trough filler is a safe procedure – if carried out by an experienced medical professional who has the right credentials. Before pursuing the treatment, you should ensure that you select a reputable clinic with regulated medical practitioners like GDC registered dentists or GMC registered doctors. Make sure you have a detailed consultation prior to the procedure to ensure that it is appropriate for you. You should also be able to ask any questions that you may have regarding the treatment, clinic and practitioner. That way you can then proceed with peace of mind knowing you are in the right hands.  

To ensure that tear trough filler is a safe procedure, you must also ensure that you are the right candidate for the treatment. Your practitioner should discuss this with you during your consultation. You should not have this treatment if any of the points below apply to you:

• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Have an active infection near the treatment area
• Allergic to the product’s ingredients 
• Have a medical condition or are on medication that could be made worse by injections or dermal fillers
• Are under the influence of drugs or alcohol that can impair your judgement
• Planning to have surgery in the near future

Does it Work for Everyone?

To figure out if you are a candidate for tear trough filler treatment, you will need to have a thorough assessment first. This will help to identify patients who have under-eye circles or bags caused by under-eye hollows due to volume loss in the midface. In these cases using tear trough filler to correct the hollow will prevent shadows from pooling in the under-eye area and hence give the appearance of lightening dark circles. Also be aware that tear trough fillers are only beneficial in treating dark circles and under-eye bags caused by under-eye hollows. They are not effective in treating hyperpigmentation and can make some types of under-eye bags worse. Your practitioner should be able to determine whether there are any factors that can make this procedure unsuitable for you.

Tear Trough Filler Aftercare

One of the great benefits of this procedure is you can immediately see results and with little downtime, you can go back to the office or home straight after treatment. You may experience mild swelling and bruising after the procedure. This is nothing to worry about, and it will usually improve 48 hours after the treatment is complete. Be aware that it can take up to 2-4 weeks for everything to settle and to see your final results. To speed up your recovery, take a look at some of our aftercare tips below: 

• Refrain from engaging in intense physical activity for the first 24 – 48 hours after your treatment to reduce swelling
• Avoid sleeping on your face or wearing tight-fitting goggles or glasses for the first 2 weeks
• Avoid vigorously massaging your face for the first 2 weeks
• Use a post-treatment cream such as Teoxane post-repair balm or BruiseMD to help speed up the healing process

Tear Trough Filler Cost UK

Tear trough fillers fees can range from £300 to £1000+. The cost varies between different regions of the country. It also depends on several factors such as the clinic, experience and skill of the practitioner, the type and amount of product used and the complexity of the treatment. When considering costs also check whether the treatment fee also includes:

• An initial detailed consultation
• Specialist aftercare advice and follow up
• Personalised treatment with high-quality product

In cases of more advanced under-eye hollows, you may need additional treatments. This is usually done 4-6 weeks later and often there is a separate charge. So specifically ask about this when considering quotes. 

Tear Trough Filler Side Effects

Although the procedure is safe when carried out by an experienced professional, no treatment is risk-free. Like all cosmetic procedures, tear trough fillers have some potential side effects. If the filler is not injected correctly, the treatment area can become lumpy. The filler can also migrate to other areas of the face. In more severe cases, it can cause blindness, although it is rare in the hands of a qualified and experienced medical practitioner. In general, potential side effects include:

• Ongoing pain
• Skin discolouration or lumps
• Infection
• Allergic reactions
• Chronic inflammation

It is important to add that risk of these side effects is lower if you choose an experienced medical professional for your treatment. Moreover, they will be able to quickly identify and appropriately deal with any problems or complications that arise.

Tips for Booking Your Appointment

If done right, tear trough fillers can help treat dark circles, under-eye bags and fine lines. However, this is a really complex treatment that carries serious risks. Please do your homework before proceeding with any treatment. Only consider going to a reputable clinic with qualified and experienced medical practitioners. Check that they use premium under-eye fillers and what their aftercare process is like. Also be sure that they take the potential risks and side effects seriously. Specifically ask if they have the training to handle them and what they can do if there’s a problem.

City Skin clinic is an online skincare service that was born out of our passion for personalised skincare. Our virtual skin clinic offers safe and effective skin treatments like Tretinoin and Hydroquinone to treat a variety of skin concerns. Our doctors can help you treat problems like acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and skin ageing. To begin, book a virtual appointment or use our online consultation form today. The journey towards great skin starts here.

Sources

https://cityskinclinic.com
https://cityskinclinic.com/treatments/cheek-and-tear-trough-fillers/tear-trough-fillers-under-eye-fillers-london/ 
https://cityskinclinic.com/online-booking/

https://cityskinclinic.com/dissolving-lip-fillers/