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The EV guide to tear trough filler

All you need to know about this injectable under-eye treatment

Thanks to mask wearing, our eyes have become more of a focus than ever before, and Zooming has left us with not much else to look at but each other’s faces. This, according to EV expert Dr Uche Aniagwu, has led to an increase in tear trough treatment requests as we look to negate the appearance of hollowness, dark circles, and puffiness around the eyes.

As a tear trough filler specialist, Dr Aniagwu understands the increased focus on the treatment; as he says, “alongside many of us seeing ourselves more on screen, we are also ageing faster as a result of the current pandemic. This is due to the chronic stress we’re all under, which has been scientifically proven to accelerate ageing.”

How? Well, stress raises cortisol levels – the stress hormone that breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin and increases inflammation – accelerating the formation of lines and wrinkles. Plus, stress can also impact sleep, and a lack of zzz’s can lead to puffiness and dilated blood vessels that leave the eyes looking darker in appearance.

To make matters worse, the eye area is already incredibly delicate and one of the areas on the face that’s most affected by ageing as the skin around the eyes is thinner than the skin on the face, and has low levels of supporting elements like soft tissue, fat and muscle.

Thankfully, tear trough filler is one of the most effective options in youth boosting the eyes, so we asked Dr Uche to share the ins and outs of this injectable treatment

Where exactly is the tear trough?

The region of the face known as the tear trough is found between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek. It begins at the very inner corner of the eye and ends parallel to the pupils.

Who would benefit from tear trough filler?

Volume loss in the face is common as we age and over time this can result in hollowing of the tear trough. Dermal filler in this area would benefit anyone who is presenting with a hollow, sunken eye area as well as those with under eye bags. And while filler can brighten the eye area by plumping up the skin to reduce dark shadows under the eyes, it can’t improve dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation

How is it the treatment carried out?

Treatment starts with cleansing the area to remove any makeup, this is then followed with a medical grade cleanser and rubbing alcohol to ensure the area is sterile to reduce the risk of infection. Then numbing cream is applied and left on the area for 30 minutes before filler is used.

Some practitioners prefer to inject dermal filler directly into the skin, while others favour the use of a cannula – a thin blunt tipped hollow tube that’s inserted into the skin and the filler is fed through it. Using a cannula reduces the risk of bruising, and while a lot more technical than injecting with a needle, this method also greatly reduces the likelihood of perforating arteries.

Once the filler is deposited you may find that your practitioner will mould the filler into place with their fingers to create the desired result before the filler ‘sets’.

How long does it take to perform?  

It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

How painful is tear trough filler? 

With over one million nerve endings the lips are the most sensitive part of the body. The eye area is far less sensitive in comparison, which means treatments here are generally less painful if performed by someone with plenty of experience. And of course, numbing cream is common practice too, which greatly reduces pain levels.
 

Does the treatment come with risks?

There are two categories of risk: cosmetic and medical. From a cosmetic risk standpoint, the under-eye area is the hardest place to treat as it's the least forgiving.

When you get tired, it’ll show in your eye area first, because the skin is very thin and there's not a lot of structure there. This lack of structure means that issues like hard bumps, lumps, overfilling and swelling can occur if you don’t see a reputable and experienced practitioner.

Medically, risks include bruising and skin death. This occurs when a blood vessel is damaged and the area of skin that is supplied by that blood vessel dies. Blindness can also occur but is incredibly rare with fewer than 500 cases to date worldwide.

How long does it last? 

Tear trough filler can last from six months to as long as three years. It really depends on how quickly your body breaks it down, so there’s no way of knowing exactly how long it will last in each patient.

Is there any downtime needed post-treatment?

This treatment generally requires no downtime, but one in 10 might experience some visible  bruising, but nothing that a swipe of concealer can’t hide.  

Who shouldn’t try tear trough fillers?

Anyone with a medical issue such as a bleeding disorder or a disorder where your skin doesn’t heal properly, should consult a haematologist or rheumatologist before considering dermal fillers in general. And if you’ve ever had an adverse reaction to fillers then you should avoid this treatment too.

How much is tear trough filler?

Prices tend to start at around £250 and go up to around £850 depending on the location and level of skill of the practitioner.

To discover if you are the ideal candidate for this rejuvenating eye treatment, book a consultation with Dr Uche Aniagwu or visit our practitioner finder for an expert near you.

Uche Aniagwu, Doctor

Expert in non-surgical under eye rejuvenation.

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