What is tear trough deformity?

Patients experiencing tear trough deformity usually complain of under eye “bags” and a tired, aged, hollowed-out under eye area. Tear troughs often occur due to an attachment of the skin under the eye to the facial bones beneath it. They usually appear as well-defined, dark, deep hollows located between the lower eye-lid, nose and upper cheek.

For some, tear troughs are caused by the lifestyle that they lead which causes skin to age prematurely. For others it is due to the volume loss in the lower eye area that happens naturally as we age.

Is tear trough filler right for me?

Tear trough filler is best suited to patients without significant pigmentation issues, as hyaluronic acid fillers are unable to correct pigmentation issues. Patients with thick skin and minimal to moderate hollowing of the area are the best candidates for tear trough filler. If you have more significant “bags” or hollowing of the under-eye area, or dark pigment, a surgical procedure, called a blepharoplasty, may be a more suitable option. Be sure to discuss this with your Medical Practitioner or Cosmetic injector.

How can a tear trough deformity be corrected?

There are several options to consider when treating the tear trough area, including non-surgical options like dermal filler and fat grafting, as well as more invasive surgical options. Hyaluronic acid dermal filler can successfully be utilised to improve the appearance of tear trough deformity, with over 80% improvement seen. With some studies showing filler remains present for around 15 months, it is a great short term option and reassuringly can be dissolved with hylase should any complications arise.

Tear trough filler aftercare

Bruising is the most common side effect of tear trough filler and is generally more apparent if a needle technique is used. Be sure to ask your injector whether they will use a needle or cannula to inject the area; the cannula technique may be preferred as it avoids damage to the skin and veins which can lead to bruising.
To ensure best results, start your tear trough filler aftercare before your procedure. Apply an ice pack to your tear trough area prior to being injected as a way of reducing the risk of bruising and to assist with numbing of the area.

As part of your tear trough filler aftercare it is important to apply ice for 24-48hrs after your procedure to minimise bruising. The Arnicare® Lip-shaped Ice Pack is the perfect size to apply under the eye and can be reused. Just pop it into the freezer, ready for when you get home Avoiding aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications further aids in reducing bruising the delicate tear trough area. Finally applying an Arnica cream like our Arnica healing cream under the eye and cheek area will assist in reducing common side effects like swelling and bruising, the addition of Niacinamide and Curcuma longa extract in the Arnica cream aids in minimising inflammation that can occur ensuring you are happy with the final result.

Finally, if you decided to go ahead with tear trough filler it is important to ensure that you are choosing an experienced Nurse Injector or Doctor to perform this procedure, as it is a highly technical procedure where serious complications can arise.

Don’t forget to take a before and after photo to compare your results!