Lower Eyelid Fillers in Scottsdale

Written by Dr. Ali Ghafouri

Also serving Phoenix

Lower eyelid bags or circles are common signs of early aging. Bags or circles may appear as early as a person’s 20s, depending on their facial anatomy. Some people have a groove or dark circle at the eyelid/cheek junction with minimal eyelid bags or fat prolapse. This depression below the eyelids is called a nasojugal deformity or tear trough groove. The depression runs from the side of the nose along the bony eye socket. This gives a sunken look to the eyes, or casts a dark shadow in that area, giving a fatigued appearance.

Dermal fillers can be used to treat lower eyelid bags and tear trough deformities. Fillers are a minimally invasive injectable product designed to restore a youthful appearance. Treatment of the under-eye area with dermal fillers is more challenging compared to treating other areas of the face. This area of the face is more vascular and anatomically close to the eyeball and its vital supportive structures.

As an oculoplastic surgeon specializing in this delicate area, Dr. Ghafouri is uniquely qualified to administer filler injections. He has advanced knowledge of the anatomy as well as expertise and experience to give you the best possible results safely.

What Causes Lower Eyelid Bags?

In many cases, lower eyelid bags are caused by weakened supportive tissue and sagging skin, which is a natural part of the aging process. As the skin, deeper muscles and tendons weaken, fat begins to move under the eye area, making the eye look puffy or swollen. Over time, the fat pockets underneath the eye protrude and bulge through the weakened skin.

Aging is not the only reason for eyelid bags. Oftentimes patients experience puffy under-eye bags after a long night’s sleep — this occurs because fluid can “pool” under the eyes while a person rests. Patients may also develop lower eyelid bags after eating especially salty foods or from a lack of sleep. People with chronic allergies are more prone to have puffy eyes and dark circles. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorder may also cause this condition. Anything that promotes fluid retention around the eye may accentuate under-eye bags. These conditions need to be treated medically and fillers or surgery are not indicated.

What About Aging?

While at least some degree of lower eyelid aging is expected as we get into our 40s and beyond, it’s also possible to experience under-eye bags or tear trough grooves in your 20s and 30s. Part of this is genetic — some people simply have a genetic predisposition to lower eyelid bags and dark circles. In younger individuals, there might be very minimal or no fat protrusion, but they have a dark circle or groove at the eyelid/nose/cheek junction. This volume deficiency makes the area around the eyes look hollow.

The Filler Procedure

The filler procedure requires a single in-office visit that often takes less than an hour. During your initial consultation, Dr. Ghafouri will discuss what filler is best for your unique needs. Only a specific type of filler is used under the eyes.

With the right filler selected, your surgeon will first apply a topical anesthetic to the injection sites. Your surgeon will take special care to minimize bruising, swelling and the number of injection sites. In some cases, he may choose to use a blunt-tipped injection instrument (called a cannula) to lessen the amount of pain and discomfort you may experience. Once the anesthetic takes effect, your surgeon will inject the chosen filler into the under-eye area. The treatment itself should take 15-30 minutes to perform.

What About Recovery?

You will be able to return to your normal daily activities immediately after your treatment. As a general rule, it is recommended that you avoid hard physical exercise for the first 24 hours after treatment. You should expect some swelling and there might be some bruising in that area.

Your surgeon will provide you with specific post-operative care instructions. It is recommended that you avoid sleeping with your face down for the first 24 hours, and that you avoid rubbing the treated areas for at least 48 hours. Applying ice will help minimize swelling and bruising.

How Long Will the Effects Last?

Depending on the filler product used and your own rate of metabolism, you can expect your results to last anywhere from 8 to 12 months. It seems that the fillers placed under the eyes last for a longer time compared to fillers placed in other areas such as the lips or cheeks. In many instances, we have seen under-eye fillers last up to 2 years. Dermal fillers are by no means a permanent solution to lower eyelid bags, but they work quite well for anyone looking to touch up their appearance. After several months, your body starts to break down and absorbs the fillers.

Are Lower Eyelid Fillers Right For Me?

If you’re looking for a cosmetic treatment for your lower eyelid bags or tear trough deformities, dermal fillers may be right for you. Lower eyelid fillers are minimally invasive, meaning you won’t need to spend excessive time recovering from your treatment. Moreover, dermal fillers are more affordable than eyelid surgery.

Generally speaking, a good candidate for dermal fillers is someone in good health with mild to moderate lower eyelid bags or tear trough deformities. You may not be a good candidate if there is a significant amount of fat prolapse or skin laxity under your eyes; instead, surgical options will need to be explored. During the consultation, Dr. Ghafouri will discuss all the treatment modalities available.

However, it’s important to remember that quality sleep, proper hydration, a healthy diet and the use of a quality sunscreen and physician-grade serums can help prevent premature under-eye bag development.

Are Lower Eyelid Fillers Permanent?

Lower eyelid filler treatments are not permanent. We use specific hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers that have the right viscosity and are optimal for this area.

HA fillers are reversible. If you decide that dermal fillers are not for you, you can either opt to have the filler dissolved with a special enzyme or simply wait until your body naturally breaks it down.

Cost of Lower Eyelid/Tear Trough Fillers

The cost mostly depends on the number of syringes of filler used. Most clients require one to two syringes and each syringe starts at $600 to $700.

To learn more about under-eye fillers and the financing options we offer, schedule an appointment with us. Contact Arizona Oculoplastic Specialists by calling today!