You know that dermal fillers are an excellent option for replacing lost volume in the face, so it seems like fillers would be the obvious first choice to correct under-eye issues, especially that “hollowed eye” look that can appear as we age. While some providers do use fillers under the eyes, here at Image Surgical Arts we generally do not because fillers can cause unintended consequences that produce undesirable results.
Instead, we prefer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat this most delicate part of the face.
What Can Go Wrong with Under-Eye Filler?
We offer a wide variety of dermal fillers at Image Surgical Arts, so we can choose exactly the right product(s) to address each patient’s concerns and goals. Many of these products are derived from hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally produced by the body that helps retain moisture in the skin and connective tissues. So why don’t we recommend them for under the eyes?
Skin around our eyes is some of the thinnest and most sensitive anywhere on our body, so even the slightest irregularities can be very noticeable. As we age our skin becomes even thinner and our face loses volume, especially in the cheeks. Fat below the eyelids can move lower, resulting in bulging “bags,” a hollowing of the tear trough, and even dark circles.
The goal of injecting facial fillers in this area is to add volume that refills the hollowed area to reduce the baggy effect below. In some patients, however, prolonged post-injection swelling can produce results that look puffy and overdone rather than smooth and more youthful. This can also happen if too much filler is injected. Improperly placed facial filler can look permanently lumpy or irregular, and can sometimes refract light from below the skin, giving it a bluish tint. Even your facial structure and skin condition can affect under-eye filler results.
Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of under-eye filler problems is unskilled injection. It takes anatomical knowledge as well as skill and experience to properly and safely inject any filler. Because the eye area is so fragile, choosing the right provider is even more critical. You never have to worry about skill or other qualifications when you choose Image Surgical Arts.
Even better, if you are unhappy with under-eye filler injected elsewhere, our expert injectors can reverse the effects with a safe product that dissolves hyaluronic-based material. Then, he can help you choose a better way to rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes.
The most serious event happens when dermal filler is accidentally injected into a vessel under the eye. This can cause the vessel to be blocked not allowing blood to flow. This can lead to permanent blindness in that eye!
PRP Is All-Natural
PRP is also an injectable treatment. However, the product we inject is entirely natural because it is made from your own blood. There is no risk of allergic or other adverse reaction. The procedure is simple and doesn’t take much time. We take a small sample of your blood, then spin it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets – proteins that contain the growth factors essential for healing. We refine that concentrated platelet serum and carefully inject it in precisely the right spots to achieve your desired results.
The results are all-natural, too. Unlike a filler product that is gradually absorbed by your body, the platelet-rich plasma stimulates your body’s own production of localized blood vessels and new skin cells with healthier collagen structure. It can take a little longer to see your new look, as producing new collagen and cells takes time, so while you will see improvement right away, fully visible results may take a few weeks.
If PRP is accidentally injected into a vessel under your eye, the risk of blindness is essentially zero. PRP is a much safer alternative to dermal fillers and the results provided are typically even better than you get with dermal filler.
