Tear trough, otherwise known as the nasojugal groove, is the inner portion of the lower eyelid. As we age, there is a natural decrease in fatty tissue under the lower eyelid and upper cheek area. The skin and muscles of the lower lid slowly lose elasticity and no longer remain tightly secured in place. These changes can eventually cause the tear trough depression to become puffy or bulge away from the face. When the tissue under the eye pushes outward, “bags” begin to develop.
The unevenness of the area can become shadowy, which in turn will look like “dark circles” under the eyes. No matter how much makeup is worn, the face can still look exhausted and unhealthy. Tear trough rejuvenation or correction with dermal fillers is a popular with both men and women who want to look more rested youthful and refreshed.
Expected Results after Tear Trough Injections
- Decreased hollowness underneath the eyes
- Diminished appearance of under eye “dark circles”
- Reduced appearance of under swelling or “bags”
- Overall more awake, refreshed and rested appearance
Ideal Candidates for Tear Trough Injections
Good Candidates for Tear Trough Injections
- Have mild to moderate hollowness underneath the eyes. Patients with more severe hollowness may be candidates for lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).
- Desire to decrease the appearance of under eye dark circles.
- Are consistently being told by friends and family that their eyes appear “tired” or asked if they “got enough sleep”.
- Are not on any medications that affect bleeding.
When is surgery a better option for tear trough correction?
Sometimes, patients can enjoy greater benefits from undergoing a surgical procedure. This is particularly true if their lower eyelids or lower eyelid muscles have too much laxity or looseness or they have larger lower eyelid bags or festoons, which are pouches of tissue in the cheek area right below the lower eyelid
Tear Trough Injection Technique
The depressions between the lower eyelid and upper cheek are known as tear troughs. They extend outwards and downwards towards the cheek. Aging causes tear troughs to become deeper, longer, and more shadowed. Finely placing tiny and well dispersed amount of hyaluronic acid filler in the tear trough region helps to smoothen the appearance of the under eyes and refresh the overall appearance of the face.
Medical providers that perform tear trough injections must be extremely comfortable with the orbital anatomy and demonstrate extreme caution. Careless injection techniques can result in poor aesthetic outcomes and in unfortunate cases severe medical consequences.
Dr. Shervin Naderi, Founder of The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology
Types of Tear Trough Corrections
Dark Circle Improvement
Improved appearance of depressions under the eyes
Diminished under eye “bags”
Best Types of Dermal Fillers Used for Tear Trough Correction
The type of hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler selected for tear trough injection is based on a number of factors that include skin type, anatomical concern, skin texture, and thickness. The most commonly preferred dermal fillers at The Naderi Center include Restylane-L and Juvederm Volbella.
Restylane-L
Restylane-L is a FDA approved hyaluronic acid filler that uses the patented NASH technology to produce a smooth gel through the cross-linking of hyaluronic acid molecules. Restylane-L has a more fluid and spreadable consistency, making it ideal for the tear trough region.
Juvederm Volbella
Juvederm Volbella is made using Juvederm’s proprietary Vycross™ technology, that gives it an ultra-creamy texture that injects smoothly, delivering natural results. Juvederm Volbella absorbs less surrounding tissue volume than traditional fillers allows for better tear trough results with less chance for under eye swelling.
Sharp needle vs. cannula technique for tear trough injection
A cannula is a hollow bore needle that has a more rounded blunt end which penetrates the skin. Many medical providers prefer to use cannulas for their injections because of a decrease risk of the blunt needle entering a small blood vessel during the injection. During filler injections avoiding blood vessels means less bruising and bleeding for the patient, and decrease the chance that filler is physically injected into a vessel. Injection of dermal filler into a vessel can result in complications such as skin necrosis and in severe cases with tear trough injections, blindness. Cannulas also allow for an injector to deposit filler without as many needle “pokes” in the skin.
The benefits of cannula method for filler injection include
- Decreased risk of bruising and bleeding
- Less pain with injections due to decreased needle sticks
- Reduced incidence of vascular occlusion causing tissue death
- Reduced downtime and recovery due to less bruising and swelling
Given the safety profile of cannula technique it would appear obvious that all filler injections should be performed with cannula needles. The reality is that the traditional sharp needle method of injection will always allow for better placement of smaller amounts of dermal filler. Areas where a very small amount of filler is needed to create the desired effect would not be suited for cannula technique. For example filling in acne scars or fine lines, touchup injections, small area injections such as creating a “cupid’s bow” on the upper lip would be better suited with cannula technique. Highly skilled injectors often times prefer the sharp needle method in order to do the advanced micro-droplet technique. Sharp needle technique with micro-droplet delivery of filler will always have the most precise and accurate placement of dermal filler and is the preferred method at The Naderi Center.
Before and Afters of Tear Trough Injections
Click here to view more of our tear trough injection before and after results.
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Pricing for Tear Trough Injections
Click here for injection pricing.
Preparing for Tear Trough Injections
Proper preparation is important when it comes to minimizing recovery and increasing safety of dermal filler injections. Prior to your appointment it is important to be off of certain supplements and medications as well as to minimize consumption of certain foods that are high in Omega-3 and Omega-6. All of our patients are advised to view our list of “Things to Avoid” prior to injections or surgery.
2 Weeks Before Tear Trough Injections
Follow our dietary restrictions.
- For 2 weeks before your appointment avoid nuts, seeds, fish, fish oil, NSAIDs, supplements, and anything that prolongs bleeding. This will significantly help minimize bruising, bleeding, and swelling after your injections. Read our Guidelines on Foods and Medications to Avoid Prior to Injections.
Arnica Supplements
- You can start Arnica supplements a week prior to injection to help with post injection bruises. Arnica helps to speed up the fading away of bruises. Arnica supplements can be found in most health supplement isles at your Whole Foods, GMC or CVS, as well as purchased from The Naderi Center.
Stopping Medications and Supplements
- Talk to your primary care doctor or physician specialist. If you are on blood thinners you may need to stop these a few days to weeks prior to your injection treatment. Speak to your prescribing physician regarding if it is safe to stop these medications as well as to obtain instructions about when to stop and restart the medication. We do not recommend patients that are on life saving medications stop their medications in order to have any cosmetic procedures performed.
Prevention of Cold Sores
- Patients prone to cold sores will need to start a prophylaxis dose of an anti-viral medication prior to their injection treatment. Your physician provider will prescribe this medication prior to your treatment.
Familiarize yourself with Risks and Benefits
- Read our filler consent prior to your visit to familiarize yourself with risks and benefits of filler injections.
Day of Tear Trough Injections
Eat and drink before your treatment
- it is not uncommon for patients to “pass-out” or get “vasovagal” during their injection. Most people are not fond of needles. Having a good blood sugar and being hydrated will make it less likely that you will feel queasy during your treatment.
Minimize make up and lotions
- Please minimize make-up, especially in and around areas where you would like to get injections performed. Our medical assistants will have to remove your make-up prior to the procedure. You can bring make up with you and apply it immediately after your treatment
Come in 30 minutes prior to appointment time for numbing
- We recommend numbing cream application prior to dermal filler injections. The numbing cream needs a good 20 – 30 minutes to exert its full effect, hence we ask all our filler injection patients to come a little earlier to allow for the numbing time.
Reserve your next appointment
- We love our loyal patients, and making sure that we can see you when you need your next injection is important to us. Most of our physicians book out 3 – 4 months and we prefer to never double book patients. We always recommend that you schedule your next appointment before leaving.
Recovery after Tear Trough Correction
After your filler injection it is normal to have some swelling, pinpoint bleeding, and bruising. If numbing cream was applied for your procedure you will still feel numb for another 1-2 hours after your procedure. Please be sure to follow our post procedure instructions in order to minimize swelling, bruising, and decrease downtime.
Ice, Ice, Ice
- Use a small bag of frozen peas in a sandwich bag or crushed ice to gently ice the area. No heavy ice bags. Ice for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Continue the icing for 48 hours if possible.
Minimize Strenuous Exercise
- We recommend no strenuous exercise for 48 hours in order to reduce swelling and bruising.
Do not manipulate, massage, rub, or poke the area.
- Unless specifically advised by your physician, do not massage or manipulate your face. For one week avoid facials or rough scrubbing of the face. You can wash your face gently.
Use make-up and concealer to cover up bruises.
- You can use makeup and concealer the day of your injections to cover up any bruising.
Take Arnica supplements
- Arnica supplements can quickly help reduce appearance of bruises.
Eat pineapples and drink pineapple juice
- Pineapples have natural anti-inflammatory properties that help to minimize swelling after injections.
Do not over-evaluate your face the first two weeks
- It is normal to have bruises, swelling, and asymmetry for the first two weeks after injections. We recommend waiting two weeks for swelling and bruising to be completely gone before you can appreciate your final results.
Take Tylenol for Pain
- It is normal to experience some pain and sensitivity in the area of the injection. Most patients find that Tylenol can help relieve this post-injection pain. Avoid NSAIDs such as Motrin and ibuprofen as these can make swelling and bruising worse.
How long will my tear trough injections last?
Hyaluronic acid filler molecules can last up to 18 months in certain areas of the face. However the visible effects of the fillers, to the naked eye, can last a shorter period. HA fillers last a shorter time in more dynamic and mobile areas such as lips but last longer in less mobile areas such as the lower eyelid, tear troughs, or the nose.
“FULL CORRECTION” is an important concept in longevity of the filler results. Full correction refers to fully correcting the problem with the necessary amount of filler. For example, if your doctor feels two syringes of filler would achieve full correction and you opt to have one syringe done, then the results will be shorter lived and you will need more frequent injections.
The proper amount of volume injected as frequently as necessary is the best approach but even a little volume injected less frequently still can help improve wrinkles and lines in many occasions.
– Dr. Shervin Nader, Founder of The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology
Risks, Safety, and Potential Complications of Tear Trough Injections
Common and expected side effects of tear trough injections include the following:
Bruising after Tear Trough Injections
- May last 1-2 weeks but bad bruises can last up to 4 weeks. This is normal. Bruises can show up several days after the treatment.
- Bruising can be covered with a full coverage concealer such as Neostrata, which we sell in the office, or Cover Fx brand from Sephora.
- Tear troughs and lips are more likely to bruise because these areas are more vascular than other parts of the face. Tear trough bruising takes longer than other regions of the face to fade, however, it is an easy region to cover up with concealer.
Swelling after Tear Trough Injections
- May not always be even from side to side depending on pre-existing facial asymmetry and volume of injection and bleeding at each injection site.
- Initial swelling takes 2 weeks to settle.
- Sleeping propped up and icing can minimize this side effect.
- Avoid exercise first 48 hours or longer as swelling increases when working out.
- Do not manipulate or massage area as this can aggravate swelling
Asymmetry after Tear Trough Injections
- Asymmetry can be related to swelling. Wait 2 weeks before deciding whether asymmetry is from filler differences or swelling.
- Please keep in mind that once you start to analyze your face it is not rare to start to “notice” new asymmetries that have been there your entire life.
Lumps and Bumps after Tear Trough Injections
- The filler is going to feel firmer than your own tissue. Do not massage or manipulate the area.
- The feeling of lumps and bumps usually improves within 2 weeks as swelling resolves.
Subtle Results after Tear Trough Injections
- 1 syringe of filler is the equivalent of 1/5th of a teaspoon in volume. After swelling subsides there may be a need for additional filler injections if you desire increased volume.
- Our doctors are very conservative and do not over inject patients. Our physicians prefer to add volume slowly with time to achieve the desired look.
- The first time getting injections the results tend to go away faster. With repeat treatments results last longer as you build your own collagen around the injection sites.
Possible complications after tear trough injections
- Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions
- Cold sore or herpes simplex virus outbreak
- Acne breakout
- Skin necrosis
- Intra-vascular injection leading to skin necrosis and even blindness
- Sterile abscess
Please notify our office immediately if you feel that you may be experiencing any of the above possible complications after your filler injections.
RealSelf Most Loved Injector Awards: 2017 Winners Announced, according to patients.
Tear Trough Injection Specialists at The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology
Dr. Naderi is a board certified facial plastic surgeon and a National Clinical Trainer for Allergan and Medicis. He teaches other doctors how to inject Juvederm, Restylane, and Perlane properly. Other doctors from all over the world refer to Dr. Naderi’s instructional videos on YouTube to fine tune and improve their own filler injection techniques.
Dr. Kulak is a facial plastic surgeon with a gentle and artistic, female touch. Her patient’s love her nearly-pain-free techniques. She focuses on facial rejuvenation with advanced minimally invasive techniques as well as more invasive face lift and eyelid lift surgeries.
Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass is a board certified dermatologist who trained with Dr. Shervin Naderi prior to joining The Naderi Center. Dr. Snodgrass is expert on a variety of filler types and injection area techniques. Dr. Snodgrass’s dermal filler injections create a noticeable yet natural rejuvenation of the face.
Dr. Erica Anderson, board certified plastic surgeon, performs facial filler injections as well as injections on the body. Dr. Erica Anderson is known for her Sculptra® Brazillian butt lift. Patient’s desiring to enhance non-facial areas of the body would seek the expert opinion and guidance of Dr. Anderson.
Specialization Matters!SM
Dr. Shervin Naderi was just named part of the “Top 25 Injectors” by the 10 million member community of RealSelf. Out of 2000 nominees, Dr. Naderi was chosen as Top 25! This is a huge honor being recognized by the national and international community of RealSelf, the most trusted and authoritative site for all unbiased plastic surgery research.
Dr. Naderi is one of only 4 winners in the South East region of the United States. Patients regularly fly and drive to The Naderi Center from all over the country for his unique style of Botox and filler injections. Doctors all over the world who regularly use his online tutorial videos to learn and enhance their own technique have always respected Dr. Naderi’s injection skills.
Schedule your Tear Trough Correction Consultation
Contact us to schedule a consultation for tear trough correction with one of our specialists at The Naderi Center. We are located in the greater Washington DC area with two locations, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 301-222-2020 or Reston, Virginia, 703-481-0002. For out of town patients we offer virtual consultation prior to your visit which can be arranged by filling out our contact us form.
Tear Trough Correction FAQs
If you live in the states of Virginia or Maryland, The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology offers tear trough correction among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
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