Fillers give the promise of a quick fix with little to no downtime.
With this accessibility and ease, it’s no wonder that facial fillers are becoming so common.
In that year alone, around 1.8 million patients got some kind of facial filler.
Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Here are all your biggest questions about under-eye fillers answered.
What is it for?
This is not to be confused with the dark circles due to discoloration.
Some are more predisposed to it than others.
It supposedly gets better with time, too.
Who are the best candidates for it?
“Hold a mirror and look up so that bright overhead lighting hits you directly.
If the shadow disappears, your dark circle is resulting from a hollow.
If the color is still there, it’s pigment,” dermatologist Rachel Maiman toldGlamour.
Additionally, this procedure will not help those with puffy under-eyes.
Since that is brought on by fat, adding filler to the area will just make things worse.
After all, fillers are not a one-size-fits-all approach.
What are the different kinds of under-eye fillers?
But among the list, the most commonly used is hyaluronic acid.
Fat transferis another good option; however, it is more invasive than hyaluronic acid fillers.
Getting a fat transfer filler requires the patient to undergo liposuction beforehand.
Simply put, the extracted fat will be used as filler to be injected in the tear trough area.
The upside of fat transfer fillers is that they usually last much longer than hyaluronic acid fillers.
How long does it take to heal?
Like with any procedure, healing time is determined on a case-by-case basis.
However, it is likely to experience inflammation and bruising in the area for a week at most.
“Swelling tends to peak 24 to 48 hours after injection and typically resolves within three days.
Bruising can last longer but should resolve within one week,” dermatologist Rachel Maiman shared withCosmopolitan.
The instrument used during the procedure also affects the healing time.
For tear trough fillers, in particular, many doctors prefer cannulas over needles.
“Unlike needles, the blunt-tipped cannula does not usually injure blood vessels or nerves and thus minimizes bruising.
It is also much less painful,” dermatologist Rhoda Narins explained inthe Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
The ingredients and instruments should be taken into consideration, as they will impact your side effects if any.
What is the aftercare like?
A cold compress is your best friend post-op.
How long does it last?
Under-eye fillers last longer as compared to other facial fillers due to the area of placement.
Since the tear trough area doesn’t experience as much movement as compared to the lips or cheeks.
As nurse Kristina Kitsos explained toGlamour, “the less movement, the longer it lasts.”
Remember that the results of any facial fillers are temporary.
What are the possible risks?
As with any procedure, there are a couple of possible risks when getting an under-eye filler.
The good news, though, is that both of these arereversible.
But there are still some major irreversible risks associated with under-eye fillers.
This is why finding a licensed and experienced professional is key.
What happens during the appointment?
On to the main event.
The doctor will apply a numbing agent along the tear trough area before inserting the filler.
To insert the filler, your doctor will either use a needle or acannula.
The instrument of choice depends on the case and the doctor.
After a couple of passes in both areas and some smoothing out, it’s all over.
Yup, it’s pretty straightforward, and you’re good to go on with your day.
In most cases, repeated visits are recommended versus having the filler done in one go.
This is to allow the face to normalize and to check how the filler sets in.
It’s easier to add more filler to follow rather than overdo it the first time.
When it comes to fillers, less is more.
How much are under-eye fillers?
The cost of under-eye fillers can vary greatly.
With that said, don’t let the price be your only deciding factor.
“When it comes to your face, don’t price-shop.
Do your due diligence in researching your injector,” Dr. Renee Moran advised Glamour.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t get under-eye fillers?
Generally, fillers are off-limits for expecting and nursing mothers.
In any case, there isn’t any harm in waiting until after childbirth.
So if you’re looking to address pigmentation, this isn’t the procedure for you.
As with any procedure, research is key.
Those with certain medical conditions aren’t encouraged to get fillers as well.
