Published on May 26, 2023
Tired of dealing with your eye bags and the seemingly perpetual dark circles under your eyes? You’re probably reading this post because someone has suggested getting an undereye filler.
But is an undereye filler really the answer to your woes? Will it really give you the brighter, younger-looking eyes you’ve always wanted?
To help you figure out whether an undereye filler is a good idea, we’re listing down its pros, cons, and what you can expect during the procedure. But first, let’s refresh our knowledge about what’s making your eyes appear puffy and sunken.
What Causes Undereye Bags and Circles?
Aging, lack of sleep, allergies, and various other factors can cause the tissues and muscles surrounding your eyes to weaken. When this happens, the skin in those areas tends to sag. This causes pockets of fat to pool under your eyes leading to the formation of undereye bags. It also causes certain areas to appear sunken, leading to shadowing and dark circles.
What are Under Eye Fillers?
Also known as soft tissue fillers or dermal fillers, undereye fillers are injectables made of hyaluronic acid. It’s injected underneath the skin to “depuff” the eyes and improve the appearance of your undereye area.
Hyaluronic acid is a type of gooey substance that your skin naturally produces. It attracts and binds water molecules to your skin, leaving them hydrated and moisturized. This, in turn, stretches out your skin, making it tighter and smoother.
Aside from acting as a moisturizer, hyaluronic acid also helps your skin heal and repair itself. This allows it to build back and strengthen the tissues and muscles under your eyes.
With stronger eye muscles and tissues, the fat pockets pooling underneath your eyes will slowly lift up. The hyaluronic acid’s skin-tightening effect also smooths out fine lines and wrinkles, giving you youthful-looking skin.
When paired with other substances like vitamin C or arbutin, hyaluronic acid can help with hyperpigmentation too. It improves your skin tone and brightens it, helping you get rid of those stubborn dark circles.
How is the Procedure Done?
A typical undereye filler procedure typically lasts less than an hour. But there are things you need to do before and after the actual procedure to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
Before
The first step to getting an undereye filler is a consultation with your aesthetician. During this, your aesthetician will evaluate your overall health and medical history to see if you are an ideal candidate for undereye filler.
If you are taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, you’ll need to stop taking them at least 7 days before your procedure. These types of medications can increase the risk of swelling and bruising in the treatment area.
Drinking alcohol for up to a week before your scheduled procedure is also not advised. Like aspirin, alcohol also thins the blood which increases the likelihood of bruising and swelling.
During
The actual procedure usually starts with a topical anesthetic. Undereye fillers aren’t really that painful but it still involves needles. So, some people may find it uncomfortable.
Note that not all aestheticians will use a numbing cream for fillers. In some cases, you may need to expressly ask for it.
Once the anesthetic takes effect, the aesthetician will inject the fillers in the treatment area. This process is pretty quick – usually around 15 to 30 minutes – depending on the patient’s needs.
Some aestheticians prefer to use tiny needles when injecting the fillers. While others opt for a cannula that can be inserted directly into your tissue. The latter tends to be a lot safer as it poses less risk of nerve damage.
After
Since undereye fillers are minimally invasive, it requires minimal downtime. You can go back to your usual activities immediately after the procedure.
You may notice some bruising and swelling a few hours after. But it usually clears up after a few days. Just make sure to ice the area immediately after the procedure to prevent or minimize this from happening. Also, avoid doing activities that can increase blood flow to the treatment area.
Benefits of Under Eye Fillers
Undereye fillers can help improve the appearance of your undereye area by:
- tightening the skin
- smoothing and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- brightening skin tone
- decreasing puffiness
- restoring volume under the eyes
It also offers immediate effects. You can see a significant difference immediately after the procedure.
Risks and Possible Side Effects
Though undereye fillers are generally safe, one wrong move can cause disastrous consequences.
Remember that the procedure involves injecting a needle very close to your eyes. This area is very delicate and peppered with nerves and blood vessels. If your doctor or aesthetician isn’t licensed and has no experience administering fillers under the eyes, it may lead to:
- Bruises. This is one of the most common side effects of undereye fillers. These bruises usually go away after a few days but if the fillers aren’t placed properly, the light bluish hue tends to last longer.
- Twitching. As I said, the area around your eyes is full of nerves. If the needle touches even just one of these nerves, it can lead to twitching. If this happens, don’t hesitate to go back to your doctor and let them know of your symptoms.
- Nodules or growths. In some cases, nodules or growths can also develop under your skin. Your aesthetician can remove the filler from your eyes with hyaluronidase, but it can be very painful.
- Blindness. This is a very rare side effect but it can happen. When the filler is injected within a blood vessel, it can cause blockage and prevents the blood from flowing leading to blindness.
Because of this, we can’t stress enough the importance of getting your fillers from a licensed and experienced medical professional. You can skimp on other cosmetic treatments but not on something as sensitive as undereye fillers.
Experience Boca’s Favorite Med Spa
Aesthet House Med Spa is Boca Raton’s favorite source for advanced beauty treatments like microneedling, facials, dermal fillers, and more. Our services help you achieve a youthful and natural look. Treat wrinkles and dark spots with the latest advancements in beauty treatments. Our licensed staff are vetted and trained for your guaranteed satisfaction. Contact us to request a free in-person consultation today.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio has been writing about health and beauty topics for years. As an experienced writer, she makes sure to only use information from reputable sources and peer-reviewed studies. Her writing has also appeared on various US-based sites.
