For many people with dark circles beneath the eyes, it’s just a matter of getting more sleep. But for some, especially those with a tear trough deformity, the dark circles are actually a reflection of a narrow channel or furrow that developed beneath the lower eyelid. It sounds a lot more serious than it actually is, so don’t be alarmed if you see this under your own eyes. You can tell if you have a tear trough deformity, as when shedding tears, they don’t run straight down your face but to the sides, due to the little channel under the lower lid.
Some people develop a tear trough deformity with age, while others have one as a result of genetics. When the light hits the deformity, the furrow makes a shadow, giving the impression of dark circles beneath the eyes. This can easily be treated by injecting some dermal filler in the area to resolve the problem. If, however, you have puffiness under the eyes that doesn’t go away with adequate sleep, this may need treatment through cosmetic surgery, called a lower blepharoplasty.
In my Naples, FL plastic surgery practice, I’ve found Restylane to be an excellent treatment for tear trough deformities. It comes in a very small (0.4 cc) small syringe, so it’s not terribly uncomfortable for my patients and the results are very good. Restylane, a hyaluronic acid filler, is much like the hyaluronic acid in your own body-it attracts water to the surrounding collagen fibers, plumping them up. It’s this plumping that eliminates the hollow.
The effect lasts from 6 months to a year before it needs to be repeated. It fills the area nicely, is an easy product to insert and lasts long enough to satisfy those with this problem. Call us if this is an issue for you and let’s see how quickly we can help you get rid of it!
To your health & beauty,
Kent Hasen, MD
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