Under eye light filler aims to give a more rested gaze by supporting the hollow below the eye and the shadow it casts. The eye area has some of the thinnest skin on the body, where a difference of a couple of millimetres changes the whole appearance. For that reason choosing the right patient matters as much as technique here, and sometimes more.
Darkness under the eye has more than one cause
What looks like a dark circle can come from several different sources, and not all of them respond to filler.
- Shadow from hollowing: the shadow cast by the gap between the bony rim and the cheek. Filler can be considered in this pattern.
- Pigmentation: darkness that comes from the skin's own colour and does not change by adding volume.
- Vessels showing through thin skin: a blue or purple tone that filler does not fully resolve.
- Fat prolapse, or bags: where fat pushes forward. Here filler can make the appearance more pronounced rather than better.
The first purpose of the examination is to work out which of these applies to you.
Who it suits, and who it does not
It is considered for people with a tired appearance caused by hollowing and shadow, whose skin is not markedly lax and who do not tend to hold fluid. It may not be appropriate for those with pronounced bags, regular morning puffiness of the eyelids, or a thyroid or kidney related condition that causes oedema. It is not performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with an active infection in the area, or in bleeding disorders. Suitability must be determined by a medical examination, and it is entirely normal for this treatment not to be recommended to some people.
How the session proceeds
The under eye area is examined both in straight gaze and with the head tilted slightly back, and the adequacy of cheek support is assessed. In some cases supporting the mid face first is the more sensible route. If the treatment is appropriate, the skin is cleaned, the points and depth are marked carefully and a topical anaesthetic can be applied for comfort. A filler suited to this area, drawing little water and with low flow, is placed in small amounts close to the bone, most often with a cannula. Both sides are treated in balance. It is completed in an outpatient setting.
Onset and duration of the effect
The first change is visible after the application, but in this area the result settles fully over a few weeks. Mild swelling or a sense of irregularity can occur early on and usually resolves with time. Duration depends on the product, the amount and the individual; product is known to last comparatively well under the eye. Results vary from person to person.
Aftercare
- Do not rub or press the area in the first days.
- Keep salt intake moderate; fluid shows itself quickly in this region.
- Try not to sleep face down for a few days, and keep your head slightly raised.
- Stay away from saunas, steam rooms and intense exercise in the first days.
- Small bruises are more common around the eye and are usually temporary.
- If you notice unexpected pain, a colour change or any change in vision, contact the clinic without delay.
Points that are often confused
The name light filler does not mean a light giving substance is injected. When the hollow is supported the shadow lessens and the area looks brighter, which is where the name comes from. Second, this treatment does not resolve every kind of dark circle; where the darkness comes from pigment or from vessels, the expected change will not follow. Third, less is the rule here. Too much product under the eye can lead to a puffy or uneven look over time, which is why a measured application, completed at a second session if needed, is preferred.
Other things that shape the plan here
The under eye is rarely considered in isolation. Where cheek support is insufficient, supporting the mid face first can be the better route, because part of the hollow under the eye actually comes from the loss of support beneath it. Sleep patterns, salt intake, allergic symptoms and smoking all affect how this area looks, and a treatment carried out before those are addressed may not deliver the benefit expected. That is why the visit looks at your daily habits as well as at the area itself.
Useful things to know before the visit
Please tell us about the medications you take, especially blood thinning drugs and supplements, any known thyroid or kidney condition, any allergic symptoms and every treatment this area has had before. Because bruising is more common around the eye than elsewhere, if you have an important event coming up, arranging the treatment at least a week beforehand makes for a more comfortable process.