The skin under your eyes is some of the thinnest on your body, several times thinner than the skin on your cheeks. It sits right over the bone and fat, and small changes in volume or hydration show up faster here than elsewhere on the face. Hollows and shadows in this area can appear much sooner than other signs of aging.
Dermal fillers are one treatment that can be used to rejuvenate this delicate area. Placed correctly, they can restore lost volume and improve the texture of lined or dehydrated tissue. Dr. Mimi Lee uses special techniques to painlessly treat the undereyes with results that look natural and youthful.
What Causes Hollows and Shadows Under the Eyes?
Some people naturally have more shadowing under the eyes because of their bone structure and how deeply set their eyes are. Others may experience more shadows during certain situations, like times of fatigue or stress, or alongside seasonal allergies. Others may notice more shadows as they age from causes such as:
Fat Pad Descent and Volume Shifts
Your face has fat pockets that stay in certain areas during youth and either diminish or shift with age. Around the eye, the ligaments that support the pads loosen and allow gravity to shift the fat pads downward. The upper cheek pad drops away from the orbital bone and leaves a groove between the eye and cheek known as the tear trough.
Collagen and Elastin Breakdown
At the same time as fat pads are shifting, the skin is also changing. The biggest shifts come from sun exposure and a natural reduction in collagen production in the body, which may impact the thin skin under the eyes first. As skin becomes thinner, the blood vessels underneath become more visible and darken the area.
Bone Resorption Around the Orbital Rim
The orbital bone, which surrounds the eye, changes shape over time as changes in hormones and other factors reduce the activity of cells that build new bone. The lower rim may recede and widen and deepen the hollow that casts a stronger shadow under the eye.
How Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Rejuvenate the Under-Eye Area
Restoring Light Reflection
A hollow tear trough casts a shadow that makes the area look dark even when the pigmentation is even. When the filler lifts the depressed area, the light can easily reflect off the skin. Correcting the volume in the tear trough area improves how rested and refreshed patients look.
Smoothing the Area From Lid to Cheek
Hollowed areas under the eyes that have been treated with dermal fillers blend into the cheek more smoothly. The filler is placed in specific areas along the orbital rim where it rebuilds this transition and helps the face look more youthful overall.
Hydrating Thin, Crepey Skin
Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds water in the surrounding tissue. The extra hydration softens the skin and improves the appearance in an area where the skin is paper-thin and prone to dryness.
Choosing the Right Filler for Under-Eye Hollows
Not every hyaluronic acid product is suitable for this delicate area. It needs a soft and spreadable gel that won’t add too much structure or have a bluish tint under the skin. Some of the best products for this are Restylane L, Restylane Eyelight, Restylane Refyne, Juvederm Volbella and Juvederm Vollure. Dr. Lee will determine the right one based on how deep the hollow is and the texture of the surrounding skin. Eyelight and Volbella are lower-density options that are good under thin skin, while Refyne and Vollure are perfect for larger treatment areas that need more flexibility.
Injection Technique for Rejuvenated Under-Eyes
Dr. Lee uses a blunt-tip cannula in the under-eye area rather than a needle. A cannula is a long and flexible tube with a blunt end that has several advantages in this and other areas. Cannulas slide between tissue layers and blood vessels rather than piercing them, which lowers the risk of bruising and vascular injury while also limiting swelling.
When Is Under-Eye Filler Not the Answer?
Filler is a good solution for volume loss, but other concerns in the under-eye area may not be treatable with these products. These can include:
- Melanin-Related Pigmentation: When the dark circles come from extra melanin in the skin, the concern may not be treatable with dermal fillers.
- Excess Fat: Excess fat can sometimes collect in the under-eye area and cause bagginess. Adding volume may not be the right solution for those who already have too much.
- Allergy or Fatigue-Related Puffiness: Some dark circles and puffiness can be addressed by treating the root cause, whether this is seasonal allergies, high sodium intake or poor sleep. Once the underlying trigger is addressed, Dr. Lee can assess you again to see if filler may be a good option.
About Our Under-Eye Fillers in Little Rock, AR
Dr. Mimi Lee is a board-certified physician who has focused on injectable aesthetic treatments for over two decades. She knows how to make the process comfortable from beginning to end, always using topical numbing creams and products with lidocaine to help. She can treat several areas during one appointment, so you can ask about other areas of concern during your consultation.
Learn More About Under-Eye Fillers With a Consultation
Under-eye fillers can help tired eyes look brighter and fresher. Treatments are convenient and painless and provide immediate results. If you are interested in learning more, the first step is a consultation with Dr. Lee. Schedule your tear trough consultation at Mimi Lee M.D. PA, by calling 501-224-0880 or booking online.