TEAR TROUGH ENHANCEMENT
Illuminating the Under-Eye Area
What Is It?
Tear Trough Enhancement is a highly specialized, non-surgical treatment that uses Hyaluronic Acid (HA) dermal fillers to correct the hollowness, shadow, and tired appearance under the eyes. This delicate procedure is often transformative, restoring a refreshed and revitalized look to the entire face.
The Delicate Art of Under-Eye Rejuvenation
The tear trough is the groove that runs from the inner corner of the eye, diagonally and downwards across the orbit. This area becomes hollow with age due to volume loss, bone resorption, and the descent of facial fat pads. Filling this depression effectively diminishes the shadowing that creates a perpetually tired appearance.
1: Placement and Technique
Due to the sensitive anatomy and thin skin of the under-eye area, tear trough treatment requires a precise and expert technique. A low-viscosity, specialized HA filler is used to ensure smooth integration and a natural feel.
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Placement: The filler is placed deep, directly onto the orbital bone (supra-periosteal plane), within the tear trough hollow. This deep placement ensures the filler acts as a supportive cushion, lifting the depressed tissue and reducing shadowing.
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Technique: This procedure is almost exclusively performed using a blunt-tipped cannula rather than a needle. The cannula technique is safer, minimizes vascular injury, and allows for smooth, even product placement with less trauma.
2: Results and Mechanism
This treatment offers a significant, refreshing improvement to the orbital area:
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• Result: Reduction of Shadows and Hollowness: The hollowness is smoothed and volume is restored. However, it is important to note that a guarantee of skin brightening cannot be made, particularly if the discolouration is caused by underlying skin pigmentation (melasma or hyperpigmentation) or prominent underlying vessels (vascularity), rather than shadowing alone.
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• Why: By physically filling the trough, the depression is eliminated, removing the shadow that makes the area appear dark and sunken due to topography. This immediately reduces the tired look.
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• Result: Seamless Transition to the Cheek: Creates a smooth, continuous contour from the lower eyelid to the mid-cheek.
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• Why: This integration prevents the distinct indentation that defines the tear trough, helping the face reflect light more evenly and youthful.
• Result: Restorative Effect: The treatment primarily restores the volume that has been lost due to aging, leading to a subtle, yet profound, refreshed appearance.
Essential Treatment Information and Suitability
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Due to the extreme sensitivity and anatomical complexity of the under-eye area, it is imperative that not everyone is treated. A thorough consultation is always essential before booking the treatment to assess suitability and manage expectations.
Exclusions and Pre-Requisites​
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Tear trough filler can actually exacerbate certain existing conditions, making patient selection paramount:
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• Heavy Water Retention/Malar Edema: If you experience significant, persistent puffiness or heavy water retention under the eyes (malar edema or eye bags), HA filler can increase these issues. HA is hydrophilic (water-attracting), meaning the filler will take on water from the body, resulting in the filler expanding and potentially worsening the appearance of the bags.
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• Poor Skin Quality: If the skin under the eyes is extremely thin, crepey, and has significant laxity (poor elasticity), the filler may not sit smoothly. It can create an undesirable, visible ridge or lumpiness.
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• Lack of Mid-Cheek Support: The tear trough area relies heavily on the underlying structure of the cheek. If there is significant volume loss in the mid-cheek, the tear trough filler can "slip" or migrate downwards. Mid-cheek support (Cheek Enhancement) must often be addressed first to provide a stable foundation before treating the tear troughs.
PRE-TREATMENT ADVICE (7 DAYS PRIOR)
• Avoid Blood Thinners: Stop taking non-essential medications and supplements that thin the blood, such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen (NSAIDs), fish oils, and Vitamin E, only after consulting their primary care physician.
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• Avoid Alcohol: Refrain from consuming alcohol for at least 48 hours before the procedure.
• Treat Active Conditions: Ensure there are no active cold sores, infections, or inflammatory skin conditions.
AFTERCARE (24-48 HOURS POST-TREATMENT)
• Avoid Pressure: Avoid touching or rubbing the treated area for at least 6 hours. Sleep elevated on your back the first night.
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• Avoid Strenuous Activity: Refrain from heavy exercise, saunas, and hot tubs for 24-48 hours.
• Use Cool Compress: Gently apply a cool compress to the area for the first few hours to minimize swelling.
Possible Side Effects
Common (Lasting 1-14 days): ​
Mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness. The area can look puffy initially.​
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Less Common:
Lumps, visible filler (Tyndall effect—a bluish tint caused by filler placed too superficially). As with all filler treatments, rare but serious complications like vascular occlusion are possible, requiring immediate expert management.
Longevity of Results
Tear Trough filler results are typically very long-lasting due to the static nature of the area and the lack of muscle movement. Clients can expect the results to last between 12 to 18 months, or sometimes longer. Maintenance is advised when the hollowness begins to reappear.
Alternative Treatment for Skin Quality
If your primary concern is not volume loss or a deep hollow, but rather a desire to improve the hydration, elasticity, brightness, and overall texture of the thin under-eye skin, a Polynucleotide Skin Booster would be better suited. These specialized skin treatments work by stimulating your skin’s own regenerative processes to repair and rejuvenate the delicate tissue without adding structural volume.
READY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT?
We invite you to book a private consultation to discuss your aspirations with our expert practitioner. Together, we will define a strategy to achieve the beautifully balanced and luxurious result you desire.