Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance your body creates. These days, harmful treatments made up of a synthetic gel can also be used to make up for the missing hyaluronic acid in people’s looks. Brands like:

• Restylane
• Belotero
• Juvederm

Some evidence suggests that hyaluronic acid fillers may help with collagen production in the skin. In addition, ingredients such as lidocaine, an anesthetic that numbs a treatment area, are often added to hyaluronic acid-based treatments.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are a type of product that is widely used in the under-eye area. They are “transparent, less likely to clump up, and easy to smooth out.”

Hyaluronic acid is a popular home-use filler with a quick but natural result.

Poly-L-lactic acid

Poly-L-lactide is biocompatible and can be injected. It’s given through a process called linear threading.

This substance boosts collagen production by 40%, which helps to remove wrinkles and makes the skin more firm. It’s marketed under Sculptra Aesthetic, popular among celebrities for its effectiveness.

Calcium hydroxylapatite

The biocompatible filler is made of phosphate and calcium and has collagen-stimulating effects. In addition, it helps maintain connective tissue and adds volume to the areas.

Calcium hydroxylapatite is thicker than hyaluronic acid, so it may be possible to inject it without anesthetic. However, this should be done in consultation with a medical professional.

Some worry that using this filler will make the area under the eye too transparent. Other physicians are concerned that nodules might form.

What’s the procedure like?

With so many fillers available, the type you use can affect the postprocedure recovery process.

If you need it, your doctor will start by discussing your problem and deciding what’s best for you. They’ll also go over the process and recovery timeline in detail.

Procedure

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the procedure:

1. First, your nurse will sterilize the area where the injection occurs. Then, your doctor will mark it and take a step back to allow you to relax before proceeding.
2. They’ll apply numbing cream to the area to help your doctor perform the procedure.
3. Your doctor will insert a needle into the skin. In most cases, they’ll inject the filler through the needle, but in some cases, they’ll use a cannula with blunt edges.
4. One or more injections must be administered on both sides of the eye. If you request linear threading, your doctor injects filler beneath your skin as they withdraw the needle.
5. Your doctor will smooth the filler into your skin.

If you opt for a fat transfer, you will first undergo liposuction under general anesthesia.

Many people report feeling virtually no pain during an eye filler procedure. Some say they felt a slight prick. You’ll feel some pressure or inflation as it is injected.

Although the needle doesn’t go right next to your eye, it may be psychologically uncomfortable to feel a needle coming that close to a sensitive area like the eye.

Recovery

Let’s talk about what you can expect to happen during rehab.

• After the procedure, your doctor will prescribe an ice pack to apply to the area.
• You may experience some side effects postprocedure; however, they should be temporary in most cases.
• We can offer a follow-up appointment in a few days to assess the area and decide if an additional filler injection is needed.
• Several weeks or months may be before you know if the injections were successful.
• Synthetic fillings are very popular, but fat grafting will change how your teeth look and save you a lot of time over the two weeks downtime period with regular fillings.

Results

Fillers typically dissolve and are eliminated from the body over time. They don’t produce permanent results. Here’s how long each filler type lasts:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last anywhere from 9 months to 1 year.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite typically lasts from 12 to 18 months.
• Poly-L-lactic acid can last as long as two years.
• A fat transfer may last as long as three years.

Who’s a good candidate?

Dark circles can often be hereditary but may also be caused by other issues such as:

• aging
• poor sleep patterns
• dehydration
• too much pigment
• visible blood vessels

Fillers are best for people with dark eye hollows caused by genetics or the natural aging process, not lifestyle factors.

Some people have sunken eyes to varying degrees, casting shadows on their lids. Eye fillers can provide some relief but may not be appropriate in some cases. Surgery is another option that is sometimes more effective.

As we age, the skin around our eyes can sink. This usually results in dark circles & a lost connection between your cheek and the under-eye area.

If you are a smoker or use vaporizers, your doctor may advise against having eye filler treatments. These habits may compromise how well the therapy heals and shorten how long the results last.