Tear Trough Filler

Tear trough fillers are a non-surgical solution that can rejuvenate sunken eyes, giving a fresher, more youthful and healthier appearance.

Dark circles and tear troughs can both create a tired or unhealthy look, and while dark circles can sometimes be resolved with lifestyle changes, tear troughs are a much trickier problem to tackle.

Dermal fillers help to strengthen and thicken the skin under the eyes, helping to cover dark or inflamed blood vessels. The primary action of hyaluronic acid is to attract and retain large quantities of moisture when injected into the dermis, generating a semi-permanent volumizing or plumping effect. The secondary action of hyaluronic acid is to hydrate the skin, act as an antioxidant and maintain skin elasticity.

In the past, the only effective treatment available was a lower blepharoplasty – a surgical procedure which carries the same risks as any other ocular surgery. Now however, tear trough fillers offer a safe and effective non-surgical solution.

Whilst tear trough filler works well for volume loss under the eyes, it cannot help with pigmentation. If your dark circles are in fact caused by darker pigment in your skin, then filler will only accentuate them.

If you are unsure, hold a mirror and look up so that bright overhead lighting hits you directly. If the shadow disappears, then your dark circle is caused by a hollow and can be treated. If the colour remains, then it is pigment and filler may not be suitable for you.

Tear troughs are a tricky area to treat, so you should only trust a doctor with many years’ experience. We are trying to camouflage very subtle fat or volume loss on a dynamic area of your face, which requires great skill and precision.

Our specialists deliver exceptionally precise treatments and control the outcome based on your personal preferences. Some patients prefer a very subtle change, while others request something more significant.

Either way we will ensure that the results are natural by using the natural contours of your face to deliver the best outcome. We will always ensure you retail full facial expressions.

You will see an immediate difference following the treatment, and there is no downtime, although we recommend allowing a week before expecting to see the final results in case there is any minor swelling or bruising to subside.

There is no need to reschedule appointments or even take a day off work, you can go about life as usual as soon as you leave the clinic.

Tear trough filler results are not permanent but does last longer under the eyes than other areas of the face and should last for at least six months.

There is no definitive answer however, as absorption varies from person to person, depending on how deep the under eye depressions may be, and it could last much longer and even as much as 18 months.

Because the tear trough is not a very mobile area, unlike the lips or forehead, it takes the body longer to absorb the hyaluronic acid. People who exercise more tend to metabolise the filler quickly, and it can vary depending on factors such as skin type and age.

When the hollow starts to become more pronounced again, and the hyaluronic acid wears off, it can easily be topped up by visiting the clinic again for additional treatment.

At the Cadogan Clinic we do offer more permanent alternative filler treatments that employ the volume enhancing properties of naturally occurring fat resources, but this is a more invasive treatment.

Yes. Tear trough fillers are very safe when used correctly by a qualified medical expert, and results are not permanent and can be effectively dissolved if you are not satisfied with the end result.

Tear trough filler treatment is not painful. During the treatment the surgeon will first apply numbing cream to the area being treated to help make the procedure more comfortable, and once that has taken effect then the filler will be injected using a tiny needle.

As the needle goes in, some people feel some discomfort but it is tolerable.  The pain is minimal and should last only a few seconds.

The entire procedure usually takes around 15 – 20  minutes, and because it is only minimally invasive there is no recovery time.

Avoid touching the area around the eyes while the filler settles and avoid intense exercise, as well as saunas, sunbeds and direct sunlight for 24 hours following the treatment.

You will need to wait two weeks before getting any other facial treatments.

Since hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body there is no risk of allergic reactions or rejection. The levels of hyaluronic acid in the body are known as hyaluronidase, which breaks down the hyaluronic acid molecules.

This allows the tear trough fillers to be broken down over time, making it the least disruptive form of filler for your body as no surgery is required to remove them.

In the days leading up to the treatment you should stop using products like retinol and glycolic acid to ensure there is less chance of medication.

Make sure you tell your surgeon about any illnesses, supplements and medication you are taking so they can determine whether the fillers will affect this or not.

Dermal fillers are a safe, fast and effective non-surgical solution to help soften facial wrinkles, creases or folds, to fill out hollows and to recreate the smooth contours of a much younger complexion.

Dermal fillers have been approved for use in cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds and hands, as well as the tear trough region.

Side effects are very rare and will be discussed in full at your initial consultation.

Possible risks can include asymmetry or uneven results, allergic reactions, bruising, bleeding, swelling, damage to the skin and possible scarring, lumps of filler under the skin, skin necrosis, infection and – in very rare instances - blindness.

It is important that you receive your treatment via a highly trained practitioner to mitigate these risks.

The majority of patients seeking tear trough filler have the same complaint: they feel as if they always look tired because of indented shadows under the eyes – no matter how much sleep they get, water they drink or how many expensive eye serums they use.

Common causes of dark circles include:

• Allergies and continuous rubbing of the eyes
• Genetics – if your parents have hyperpigmentation then you probably will too
• Ageing – reduction of collagen and elasticity
• Lifestyle – too much alcohol and salt
• Deep set tear troughs
• Lack of sleep
• Cheek bone erosion
• Sun damage

At the Cadogan Clinic we use Juvéderm, an anti-ageing hydration treatment which is different from other dermal fillers because it is made primarily from naturally occurring substances such as hyaluronic acid.

As a result it gives a more natural, fuller result than some other fillers on the market, improving surface skin tone, texture and elasticity.

Most doctors use hyaluronic acid dermal filler to treat the tear trough area. It is a naturally occurring ingredient that can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water.

The fillers plump up and smooth out and plump up the area around the eye and orbital bone, or eye socket, reducing the appearance of tear troughs and minimising shadows under the eye resulting in fresher and more youthful eyes, and greater confidence in your appearance.

The benefit of hyaluronic acid is that it can be easily dissolved with hyaluronidase – an enzyme already found naturally occurring in our bodies – if you do not like the results or want the effects reduced.

The undereye area is one of the most common areas where patients request a further tweak, so you may be asked to return to the clinic after two weeks to discuss the possibility of adding a few more drops of filler or using hyaluronidase to flatten out any minor puffiness.