A filler for the under eye hollow
The tear trough is the groove that runs from the inner corner of the eye down toward the cheek. As the face loses volume that groove deepens, casting a shadow that reads as tiredness no amount of sleep fixes. A skilled injector places a small amount of soft hyaluronic acid filler deep against the bone to lift the hollow and ease the shadow. The aim is a rested look, not a fuller face.
Because the skin here is the thinnest on the body, this is one of the most technical injectable treatments. It should be performed by an experienced medical injector, ideally a doctor or nurse who treats this area regularly, using a product chosen for the under eye and often a blunt cannula rather than a needle.
Who it suits, and who it does not
A good candidate
The treatment tends to reward people who have:
- •Genuine volume loss in the tear trough rather than puffiness or fat pads
- •Good skin quality with little fluid retention under the eye
- •Realistic goals, looking to soften shadows rather than erase every line
- •No history of significant under eye swelling or allergies to hyaluronic acid
Better to wait or look elsewhere
This treatment is often the wrong choice for:
- •Prominent under eye bags caused by fat, where surgery may suit better
- •Thin skin with a bluish tint, which can worsen with filler placed too superficially
- •A tendency to hold fluid, since hyaluronic acid attracts water and can puff
- •Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, or with an active skin infection in the area
What the schedule really looks like
Most people need a single appointment, sometimes with a small top up at a review two to four weeks later once any swelling has resolved. A careful injector will often under treat at first, because adding more is easy but dissolving an over filled tear trough is a setback. Results are not permanent. The filler is gradually broken down by the body and the treatment is usually repeated somewhere between nine and eighteen months later if you wish to maintain it.
Honest risks and downtime
Expect some swelling and the chance of bruising for a few days, occasionally up to two weeks. Because the area is delicate, bruising here can be more noticeable than elsewhere. More specific to the tear trough are puffiness if the filler holds water, a bluish tinge known as the Tyndall effect if product sits too shallow, and lumps or unevenness that may need dissolving with an enzyme. The most serious and rare risk shared by all facial filler is accidental injection into a blood vessel, which can affect vision. This is why an experienced medical injector and an honest consultation matter so much. None of these outcomes are guaranteed and most people heal uneventfully, but the risks are real and worth weighing.
This is a medical aesthetic treatment. The information here is general guidance, not medical advice. Real results vary from person to person and are never guaranteed. Risks and downtime are genuine and individual. Always consult a qualified, registered practitioner who assesses you in person, and confirm all details with the provider before booking.
What you might expect to pay
Prices vary widely by city, practitioner seniority and product. As a broad indication, tear trough filler commonly ranges from around 300 to 700 pounds in the United Kingdom, roughly 600 to 1,400 US dollars in the United States, and similar in other major markets. A single syringe is typical. Treat these as indicative ranges only and confirm the exact fee, product and what a review or top up costs with the clinic. With this treatment in particular, the cheapest option is rarely the wise one.
Tear trough filler near you
Find the right clinic for you.
Tell us a little about what you are looking for. We will introduce you to vetted providers that suit your goals, your city and your budget.
A quiet letter, once a month.
Considered guidance on treatments, clinics and the art of ageing well. No noise, no hard sell. Unsubscribe whenever you wish.