Under-Eye Filler

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar your body already makes, and it holds water, so the gel fills the hollow and softens the shadow as soon as it is placed. It lasts a good while here because the area barely moves. Most people hold their result six to twelve months, and some longer. There is no fixed expiration date; plan on a touch-up when the hollow starts to return rather than by the calendar.

It is a quick in-office treatment, usually about half an hour. The gels contain lidocaine, and your injector usually applies a numbing cream first, so most people find it very tolerable. Many injectors use a blunt-tipped cannula rather than a needle here, since it slides under the skin, bruises less, and is less likely to enter a vessel. There is little downtime, but the under-eye shows everything, so give yourself a couple of weeks before a big event.

Expect some swelling; the under-eye is prone to it. The skin here is the thinnest on the body and can hold onto fluid, so a little puffiness in the first days is normal and mild bruising is common. Judge the result at about two weeks, once things settle. If you wake up puffy or retain fluid under the eyes, say so. That tendency can make filler look worse, and it factors into whether you are a good candidate at all.

There is one under-eye effect worth naming: the Tyndall effect. If HA gel is placed too shallow, light scatters off it and the skin can take on a faint bluish or gray tint, a bit like a bruise that will not fade on its own. That is why depth and a light hand matter so much here. If it shows up, it is fixable.

One risk deserves plain language. Rarely, filler can enter or press on a blood vessel and block blood flow, which is called a vascular occlusion. Near the eye this carries an added, serious concern: the vessels around the eye connect to the eye's own blood supply, and in very rare cases misplaced filler has caused vision problems, including vision loss. This is uncommon, and the FDA and eye specialists single out the area around the eyes as one to treat with particular care. It is the real reason injector experience matters more than a low price. Becca and Angie know the anatomy and the warning signs.

Here is the reassuring counterweight. Hyaluronic acid filler is reversible. If you dislike the result, if it looks puffy, or if the Tyndall tint appears, a provider can inject hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks the gel down so your body clears it. At The Spa that runs $350 per vial. Reversibility matters more under the eyes than almost anywhere, because this delicate area is less forgiving of a heavy result. You can read more on our filler dissolving page.

Filler is not right for every moment. Tell your injector if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, since it is not recommended then as a precaution. Hold off over an active infection or breakout near the eye, or while an autoimmune condition is flaring, and mention any allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine. An honest health history is part of a safe treatment. When you are ready, book online at https://login.meevo.com/thespa/ob?locationId=102890 or call (806) 701-5840, and we will talk it through first.