If your eyes seem tired all the time — with dark circles or a sunken, hollow look — you might be one of the many people who aren’t getting enough sleep. But if you’re feeling rested and you know you’re getting the required quality and quantity of good ZZZs, you might not be intrigued by a cosmetic procedure that might make you look more rested: a dermal filler injection. in the area under the eyes.
Could you be a good candidate? Here’s the info on this procedure, plus insight from a top dermatologist on what issues it can — and can’t — improve.
First of all, what are dermal fillers?
Under eye fillers are a type of cosmetic filler. Overall, dermal fillers are very popular: according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 3.4 million procedures using “soft tissue” cosmetic fillers were performed in 2020 (this includes all fillers, not just those involving the area under the eyes).
Dermal fillers are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices, and the FDA states that studies of dermal fillers (those that have been approved by the FDA) indicate that people are generally satisfied with the results.
What is under eye filler?
In this type of dermal filler procedure, a hyaluronic acid filler is injected into the area under the eyes, and because it fills in the space, fans say it improves the appearance of dark circles and/or dark circles. sunken eyes. According to the FDA, hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide (a type of sugar) that is found naturally in our body tissues. In gel form, it combines with water and swells, giving a smoothing or filling effect. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) says that because hyaluronic acid is a soft gel-like substance, it is used in areas where this softness is important, such as around the eyes and lips. It is absorbed by the body over time, which is why dermal filler has a temporary effect.
“Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in our bodies, around our bones and in our skin, from birth,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “It’s like a micro-sponge when it absorbs the water in our body – it swells! As you age you gradually lose hyaluronic acid and your skin begins to lose its buoyancy and begins to dry out, sag and wrinkle. Because hyaluronic acid has this ability to absorb water, when used as a filler, it expands the skin and also smoothes fine lines and wrinkles.
What are the benefits of under eye fillers?
“The biggest thing this procedure fixes is a sunken hollow under the eye, which casts a shadow under the eyes, causing dark circles,” says Dr. Gohara. “The hollow is caused by a lack of collagen and hyaluronic acid, and you effectively replace it with putty. Putty can help add volume to the area, which can lessen the circles.
As reported in the Annals of Dermatology, dark circles are not a medical problem; they are a cosmetic concern. Hyaluronic acid, delivered by micro-needle, can be used to improve dark circles caused by thin skin or tear pits (a fancy name for the natural depression under the eyes, closest to the nose), as well as wrinkles close or loose skin. These tear pits can cause dark circles to appear by “casting a dark shadow on the lower eyelid”, according to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Skin and Cosmetic Surgery.
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When is under eye filler not the best option?
“Hyperpigmentation under the eyes can also come from melanin [naturally darker skin under the eyes] or blood vessels just under the skin,” says Dr. Gohara. “In this case, you may not get the results you would get when the dark circles under the eyes are due to the hollow shadow. The treatment is much more effective when there is the shadow of the hollow. But, she continues, “if the doctor is able to separate the skin from the underlying vessels and create a little distance between them with the filler, it may work a little. But the best result will be when there is darkness from a sunken or sunken area under the eyes.
What are the side effects of under eye fillers?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can expect bruising because the area under the eyes has thinner skin with lots of blood vessels. Swelling is also common. There are other possible side effects: if fillers are not injected correctly, the area may end up looking more swollen and discolored. This can be treated by injection with an enzyme that breaks down the filler. Infections or the development of nodules are also possible (and treatable) side effects. Then there are much more serious – but rare – complications, including blindness. And that underscores the fact that you really, really need to seek out a doctor well trained in the procedure, i.e. a board-certified dermatologist who has been trained in cosmetic treatments or a board-certified plastic surgeon. It’s best not to risk going to a “medical spa” – stick to a certified doctor. Says Dr. Gohara, “It’s a tricky situation, working in the eye area, where things can go wrong. This is not a time when you should be using that Groupon! There’s a reason people went to medical school for this.
They are very different. A neurotoxin, Botox (and other similar neurotoxins) is injected in small amounts into the muscles of your face, according to the AAFPRS; this prevents your muscles from tensing up, which leads to loosening of the skin, making it look smoother. “Botox relaxes these muscles,” says Dr. Gohara. “Under-eye filler is totally different – you add volume. These loads do not affect the muscles.
“It’s important to see the doctor ahead of time, so they can assess your specific anatomy,” says Dr. Gohara. And according to the Journal of Skin and Cosmetic Surgery, certain things should be avoided for at least five days before the procedure to reduce the risk of bruising: aspirin and NSAIDs, vitamin E and gingko biloba. Dr. Gohara also suggests stopping fish oil supplements. “In the days leading up to the procedure, you want to eliminate anything that might thin the blood, which would lead to more bruising. You don’t want to look like you got into a fight in a bar,” she says. “Some dermatologists suggest taking arnica supplements – and one thing I suggest patients eat is pineapple the week before because it contains a group of enzymes called bromelain that can help with bruising. It’s anecdotal, but it’s not bad for you and it can even help!
What happens during the procedure:
“Some dermatologists apply a topical numbing agent; there is no needle numbness,” says Dr. Gohara. Other times, the numbing agent is mixed into the product, so there is no prior numbing. Then any numbing cream is wiped off and the area is cleaned. I have the patient semi-recumbent – I want him to be comfortable, but I also want to see what he looks like with normal gravity when I do the procedure. »
Then comes the time of the injection. “The doctor grabs a pre-loaded syringe, sometimes with lidocaine mixed in, which constricts the vessels and numbs them. The doctor injects it into the skin, below the epidermal/dermal area [the top layers], to add volume. The whole thing takes 15 to 30 minutes, from soup to nuts. The doctor can apply very little pressure to set it, but not a heavy or firm massage.
One advantage of hyaluronic acid, adds Dr. Gohara, is that it can be dissolved if something goes wrong. “If someone doesn’t like the results, you want the option to dismiss them. »
What is involved in following-sales care?
“Right following, the doctor sometimes applies ice to reduce the inflammation,” says Dr. Gohara. “I tell my patients to avoid vigorous exercise that night, and they can resume normal activity the next day. This is supposed to be easy and low maintenance for the patient, with a good result.
How long do under eye fillers last?
The hyaluronic acid filler is gradually absorbed by the body. Says Dr. Gohara, “People metabolize things differently – typically under eye fillers last 6 months to a year. »
Who should avoid dermal fillers?
According to the FDA, dermal fillers may not be suitable for people with bleeding, certain allergies, and certain other medical conditions; the FDA suggests having a conversation with your personal physician to make sure the procedure is right for you, and that you ask the healthcare professional who will be performing the procedure to clearly explain the potential benefits and risks.
How much does it cost to get under eye fillers?
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons say the average cost of hyaluronic acid fillers is €684 per syringe, according to their 2020 statistics – but they point out that there is a variety of what a patient might actually pay, depending on the geographic location, the doctor’s experience and expertise, and the complexity of the procedure for the specific patient.
