In a nutshell, fillers can for sure help with under-eye bags. Compared to under-eye creams promising to get rid of under-eye bags only to fail you most of the time, fillers are proven to even out the bags and even help with wrinkles and dark circles.
But, here comes the caveat!
Fillers are not everyone’s solution. Plus, there are specific fillers for getting rid of under-eye bags and risks to consider. However, worry not because through this piece, you’ll learn about under-eye bags, how fillers help get rid of them, and how to go about knowing whether fillers can work for you.
We understand how under-eye bags can shake your confidence. Perhaps they make you look older than your actual age or look sleepy even after getting enough sleep. So, follow along until the end!
Understanding Under-Eye Bags
Did you know your lifestyle choices can be the cause of under-eye bags? Yes, sleep deprivation, excessive alcohol consumption, persistent smoking, and some dietary habits can lead to under-eye bags. And that’s not all.
But, how is that even possible? First, let’s have a look into how under-eye bags come about.
What leads to under-eye bags?
The skin surrounding your eyes is notably thin and delicate, leaving it vulnerable to even the most subtle changes.
Underneath the fragile layer of skin around your eyes lies a layer of fat tasked with keeping the skin’s structure in place. However, as time goes by, various factors come into play, leading to mild puffiness or swelling in the lower eyelids. This is what’s referred to as under-eye bags.
Other names you can use in place of under-eye bags include puffy eyes, exhausted eyes, sagging eyes, dark eyes, and more.
The name dark circles comes from the shadow the puffiness under the eyes might form. Sometimes, the dark circles occur due to lack of enough sleep and other reasons.
With that said, let’s delve into more causes of under-eye bags.
What contributes to under-eye bags?
- Genetics
Surprisingly, under-eye bags or dark circles are hereditary. Take a look at your family members’ under-eye area. If they are puffy, consider asking whether it is a hereditary cosmetic concern.
Perhaps you already knew this and have been trying out different skin creams. Note that creams are less likely to work on genetically caused puffy eyes. However, fillers have the potential to solve the concern.
- Aging
The older you get, the skin around your eyes naturally loses elasticity and firmness. This is due to the weakening of the skin’s elastin fibers and collagen (the components responsible for retaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness).
Considering that the skin around your eyes is already thin, the older you get, the thinner it gets. Ultimately, the skin starts sagging or developing puffiness due to the underlying fat protruding and filling the saggy parts.
- Prolonged exposure to the sun
Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can violate the integrity of the elastin fibers or collagen within the skin around the eyes. Doing so hastens the thinning and aging process of the skin, weakening the skin’s support structure and leaving it saggy or puffy.
- Fluid retention
Sometimes, your body holds on to extra fluid, mostly composed of interstitial fluid. This fluid derived from blood plasma surrounds your body’s tissues and contains waste products, hormones, nutrients, electrolytes, and water.
In case of poor fluid regulation or distribution caused by eating excess salt, hormones, or allergies, excess interstitial fluid accumulates in tissues, leading to swelling. Unfortunately, the same fluid can end up accumulating on the skin under your eyes, making your eyes puffy.
- Lifestyle choices
Besides unhealthy dietary habits like using too much salt leading to fluid retention, in turn developing under eye bags, excessive consumption of alcohol can also contribute to puffy eyes.
The same goes for prolonged smoking. The two health wrecking habits impact blood circulation negatively, leading to insufficient collagen production. This ultimately causes under-eye bags.
Finally, if you are someone who gets less sleep, there are chances of dark circles or puffiness developing under your eyes. Why? Sleep deprivation may lead to the blood vessels around your eyes dilating. Thus, leading to the formation of under-eye bags or black circles.
So, if you want to get this cosmetic concern under control, you can start by fixing your diet. Reduce salt intake, and maintain a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins C and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
Moreover, foods like fatty fish, nuts, and berries are beneficial. They can help reduce under-eye puffiness. Also, if you love smoking or taking alcohol as much, consider getting the habit under control, or else the filler procedure will not be of help.
Now that you understand how under-eye bags come about and the causes, let’s have a look at how fillers can help with under-eye puffiness or dark circles.
How Fillers Help with Under Eye Bags
Dermal fillers, or just fillers, are soft, gel-like substances injected under the skin to help with smoothing out wrinkles, restoring volume, and enhancing contours. You can view them as tiny and customizable cushions going under your skin.
Even though there are different types of fillers out there, ensure your doctor uses only hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. Avoid fillers including Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA), and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).
So, why go for Hyaluronic Acid Fillers only?
This might come as a surprise to you but Hyaluronic Acid is readily present in your skin. It is also in joints and eyes. Just like a sponge, Hyaluronic acid holds a lot of water. That is why it supercharges the skin’s radiance by keeping it plump, hydrated, and youthful.
In your eyes, Hyaluronic Acid helps maintain adequate eye fluid levels, helping keep your eyes lubricated, protected, and moist. So, as you can see, HA is much safer going into a very delicate place such as close to your eyes.
Here is the thing: as you get older, your HA levels begin to drop, and that’s when you notice the wrinkles and under-eye bags creeping in.
So, settling for a Hyaluronic Acid filler procedure rather than any other is like just replacing the naturally shed HA. In short, Hyaluronic Acid fillers get you natural-looking results and are safe and effective.
What to Keep in Mind About the Procedure
As mentioned earlier, dermal fillers for under-eye bags do not always work for everyone. That is why you should consult with a qualified or certified practitioner.
During the consultation, you should discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations. Doing so helps the practitioner determine whether you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. Moreover, the practitioner can create a personalized treatment plan to ensure optimal results.
Before you make up your mind, take a second look at the practitioner’s background and expertise with this procedure. Compared to other parts of your body, there are more risks involved with injecting fillers into the under the eye.
So, look into how long the certified expert has injected the under eye and whether they have been keeping up with industry regulations and standards.
They should also be able to highlight the safe injection habits they’ll use after considering factors such as bone structure, existing volume, and skin quality to make the procedure less risky.
Remember, when seeking an experienced practitioner, do not price-shop. Yes, the procedure might set you back a grand or even more, but it will set you forward for a great experience and satisfactory results.
So, what can you expect during the injection process?
After settling for a practitioner and setting up an appointment, you might be curious as to what might go down, especially if you are a beginner. So, here is a virtual tour of what to expect during the injection process.
- Prepping, cleaning, and numbing the under-eye area
The practitioner will inform you of the procedure they’ll use and give you precise directives. Yours is staying calm and following the instructions.
The main challenge is usually staying calm but you should make an effort to remind your mind that nothing is going into your eyeball. Alternatively, you can keep your eyes closed during the procedure.
Then, the practitioner will clean the area around your eyes and apply a numbing agent. Numbing takes the edge off, making the injection rather comfortable.
- Skilled and precise injection
After giving the numbing agent some time to soak in, the practitioner uses ultra-fine needles to inject the fillers. You might feel the sensation of a thick gel going into the layers around the under-eye. Some report hearing a pop sound.
Your experience would vary based on the Hyaluronic Acid filler formulation they use. There are two formulations, each serving particular needs:
- Fine and soft fillers– they are perfect for delicate eye skin and for addressing wrinkles and fine lines.
- Volumizing and thick fillers– used for lifting saggy skins, plumping hollow areas, and evening out puffiness.
The practitioner aims to place the filler precisely — no more, no less. Every section of the under-eye gets special attention to ensure quality results.
Some experts have even turned to blunt-tipped cannulas instead of ultra-fine needles because of the efficiency they provide.
With a blunt-tipped cannula, the expert needs only a single entry point to infuse the filler into the desired parts of the skin. A cannula also reduces the chances of swelling, vascular complications, and swelling.
- Instant Gratification
Right after the injection, you will notice immediate results. With little to no downtime, you don’t have to reschedule your day. You can keep on with your day’s tasks as usual. But, there’s a catch. You must adhere to the practitioner’s instructions on how to give the treated area tender loving care.
Some aftercare best practices the certified injector may point out include:
- Icing the area reduces blood flow to the area and helps with mild swelling.
- Not touching or poking the area. Just let the filler settle in peacefully. However, some practitioners might instruct you to gently massage the area in case you feel small bumps.
- Avoiding intense exercise. You might be required to skip cardio or the gym for some time.
- Sleep smart. During sleep, you should prop your head up to prevent the filler from migrating to a different section of the under eye.
- Keep your new look in place for about 6 to 12 months
Under-eye fillers last close to a year or more. This is because the under-eye muscles don’t move that much. Compared to the lips or mouth that move frequently, the under eye holds the filler longest. Moreover, the rate at which your body metabolizes dermal filler comes into play too.
Yes, the filler will give you back that desired youthful look. However, you must keep in mind that fillers do not help with pigmentation. So, if your dark circles are a result of pigmentation, opt for products with licorice root or Kojic acid to help with clearing up the pigmentation.
Remember, even after the procedure is done, it is normal for the practitioner to schedule a follow-up appointment with you. This is critical, especially to work on minor tweaks and to address potential side effects and risks.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of the Procedure
Filler placement requires finesse. Injecting too superficially can lead to the development of lumps. And in case the practitioner goes in too deep, they are likely to miss the mark. That’s why this is a job for a skilled injector, one who does it frequently.
Besides finding a skilled injector, you still need to be aware of the risks and side effects of this procedure. They include
- Swelling and bruising – apply a cold compress post-treatment and they should fade within a few days.
- Infections – if you notice pain, warmth, or redness, reach out to your practitioner.
- Allergic reactions – quite rare, but if you happen to swell suddenly or experience difficulty breathing, seek quick medical intervention.
- Vascular complications – sometimes the filler might accidentally enter the blood vessels, blocking them and leading to tissue damage. Have the expert have a look at this immediately.
- Displacement and migration – fillers are like tiny wanderers. So, if you notice shifting, let your practitioner know.
Despite all the risks and side effects that might occur, worry less because an expert practitioner should know how to reduce the possibility of either occurring. And, they know how to deal with such situations. Stay vigilant to spot any unusual changes and enjoy the results.
Stay Informed With the Help of Diaminy’s Experts
As a brand committed to producing and selling ISO, CE, and FDA-certified aesthetics medicine devices, our experts are always there to honestly guide you as the end-user about the products and treatments that will help you change for the better and boost your self-esteem and self-confidence.
If you find a practitioner using our products, be assured that the products are of high quality and risk-free. So, keep exploring our blog section for more valuable posts such as this and visual references of our products. Hopefully, you are now informed and feel much more confident about considering fillers for your under-eye bags.
