Tear trough fillers are a hyaluronic acid-based injectable used to reduce dark circles, eye bags and a tired looking appearance. With minimal to no downtime, they are an effective treatment to combat tired-looking or aged eyes.

The natural ageing process and various lifestyle aspects can contribute to an aged appearance around the eyes. But, careful administration of fillers under the eyes helps replace lost volume, conceal dark circles and smooth the skin. This results in a more youthful appearance overall. After tear trough fillers, patients feel an increased sense of confidence in their appearance - no longer worrying that they 'look tired all the time'.

Why should I choose tear trough filler?

As we age, our facial anatomy changes. Hollow tear troughs, dark circles, eye bags, and wrinkles around the eyes become more visible. This contributes to an aged/tired appearance. Sometimes we can even look tired when we are not.

Thankfully, we can do something about these common concerns. Tear trough fillers are an excellent treatment for filling hollow tear troughs. They can also conceal eye bags if a hollow tear trough accompanies them. The results can be remarkable, restoring lost volume to the tear trough area and confidence to patients.

Which cosmetic concerns does an under eye filler procedure treat?

Tear trough fillers address several cosmetic concerns:

• HOLLOWNESS

  The under eye can hollow over time because of dehydration, lack of sleep, weight loss and the natural ageing process. Sometimes, under eye hollowness can signify a medical condition.

• DARK CIRCLES

  Dark circles may appear for many reasons. Lifestyle patterns such as alcohol, salt, sun damage, poor sleeping habits and diet can worsen dark circles. Sometimes, genetics are just playing their part. In other instances, external factors like food allergies can contribute to dark circles.

• FINE LINES AND WRINKLES

  The skin around the eyes is delicate. As we age, skin quality decreases as collagen and elastin break down. Skin sags and fine lines, and wrinkles can appear. Facial expressions, sun exposure and other environmental factors contribute to fine lines and wrinkles and make the appearance worse.

What are the benefits?

Tear trough filler treatment has many benefits:

• Reduction of dark circles

• Addition of volume under the eyes

• Rejuvenation under the eyes - less appearance of ‘tiredness.’

• Improvement to skin quality under the eyes

• Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles

• Non surgical

• Instant results

• Minimal to no downtime

• Improved sense of confidence

How quickly will I see the results from my tear trough treatment?

You will see the results immediately. The procedure takes around 20 minutes. However, the final result will be visible a few weeks after treatment as the fillers need time to integrate with the surrounding tissue.

What are the potential side effects?

All aesthetic treatments have a chance of side effects. If experienced, most post treatment effects last only a few days.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF TEAR TROUGH FILLER

• Soreness or discomfort at the injection site - short-lived and should resolve within 48 hours.

• Redness at the injection site - short-lived and should resolve within 48 hours.

• Mild swelling or bruising around the eye - short-lived and should resolve within a few days.

LESS COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF TEAR TROUGH FILLER

• Post-procedure infection - treated with the use of antibiotics.

SERIOUS, RARE COMPLICATIONS OF TEAR TROUGH FILLER

• Scarring

• Filler migration

• Vascular occlusion and blindness

It’s important to remember that serious complications are rare. If you experience any serious complications, contact your practitioner immediately for advice. Timely recognition of symptoms is important for early diagnosis and management of severe complications.

“Dr Haq was wonderful, with a very easy and helpful manner. The final result was better than I had ever imagined.”

Who is the ideal candidate for a tear trough filler treatment?

A suitable candidate for tear trough filler is a patient with hollowing, dark circles or deep lines under the eyes.

Between the lower eyelid and the cheek lies the tear trough. As we age, a hollow groove appears in the area. The eyeball is in a bony socket called the orbit cushioned in orbital fat. Over time, the orbital fat bulges forward, resulting in eye bags which also can make the hollow tear trough appear worse. We call this the ‘tear trough deformity’ and patients experiencing it are suitable for under eye filler.

Tear trough filler can completely transform the under-eye area, giving a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance. But, as with any cosmetic procedure, it's important to book a consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. The under eye area is complex and Mr Haq will determine your suitability for the treatment at the initial consultation.

What is a liquid facelift?

A liquid facelift is a non-surgical technique using hyaluronic acid filler designed to lift and rejuvenate eight areas of the face:

• Jawline fillers

• Lower cheek filler

• Mouth corners

• Nasolabial folds

• Pre-jowl folds

• Tear trough fillers

• Upper cheek filler

Every procedure is different, and the injected areas will depend on your desired results.

How can I extend the longevity of my treatment?

We recommend the following measures, all contributing to a healthy lifestyle:

• Protection from the sun’s UV rays: Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, whether you have fillers or not is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Factor 50 SPF will offer the best protection.

• Healthy diet: Steer clear of processed foods and aim to limit the amount of salt and sugar in your meals. Salt is especially best avoided just before and after treatment to mitigate excessive swelling.

• Take care of the skin under the eye: Using skincare ingredients that stimulate collagen production such as hyaluronic acid will help extend the longevity of your under eye fillers. Avoid retinol and glycolic acid just before and after treatment.

• Minimise stress: Although easier said than done, this can benefit the skin as stress releases high cortisol levels, which can contribute to common signs of ageing.

What happens during the recovery period?

The entire procedure takes around 20 minutes, and recovery is often quick. The treatment is minimally invasive, with minimal to no downtime, so your regular activities can resume straight away. There is the possibility of bruising and mild swelling. However, swollen patients can use ice packs to manage the swelling. Mr Haq recommends that all patients:

• Do not touch the tear trough area for 3 hours after treatment.

• Refrain from applying pressure to the tear trough area for the first 6 hours after treatment.

• Avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours after your tear trough treatment as a precautionary measure.

• Avoid facials, skin treatments and chemical peels for 2 weeks.

• Avoid putting on makeup for the first 24 hours after treatment. If makeup is required in your job, we recommend booking a day off as a precautionary measure if possible.

• Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours.

• Avoid blood thinners for 24 hours.

Why should I choose DR IMRAN HAQ?

Dr Imran Haq is a Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic surgeon and a highly experienced cosmetic doctor. He specialises in blepharoplasty surgery, eye surgery and facial aesthetics. Natural enhancement of the face and eye is paramount to Mr Haq. He boasts an extensive knowledge of the delicate eye circle area. Furthermore, sunken or hollow under eyes can signify a medical condition. Therefore, the benefits of evaluation from an ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon cannot be overstated.