The tear troughs are the depressions running from the nose up to the under-eye area, where shadows or bags can appear.

The skin in this area is very delicate and tends to show the signs of ageing earlier than the rest of the face. The skin can become looser and saggy over time, developing wrinkles, dark circles, hollows or dark under-eye bags.

Some people are more prone to premature ageing in this area. Sometimes it runs in families (genetics) and bone structure is a key factor – but lifestyle factors can also influence the skin in the tear troughs, so stress or sleep deficiency can affect how it appears too. Clients who lose a lot of weight also find it shows in this area, leaving them looking tired rather than bright-eyed and healthy.

Tear trough treatment uses advanced dermal fillers to gently add volume to the skin in the eye socket beneath the eyes. Dermal fillers work to replace collagen which diminishes as we age, adding more fullness to the skin. This added thickness means that blood vessels are better hidden, improving dark circles which appear when the skin is very thin.

The fillers are also used to smooth out creases and wrinkles for a more youthful look.

This is an advanced procedure and only highly experienced Aesthetic Physicians should offer it. Injecting dermal filler must be done very precisely according to anatomical understanding of the eye area. The procedure also requires the practitioner to massage the area in order to distribute the filler most effectively for a flattering and effective result.

Dermal fillers for the under-eye area are ideal for those struggling with eye bags or dark circles. The procedure is suitable for women or men and is an excellent alternative to surgery for those with earlier signs of ageing or for whom the cost, recovery implications or inconvenience of blepharoplasty (eye bag removal surgery) is unappealing.

The price of dermal fillers varies, as different kinds of fillers are used for different purposes. See our Price List for the latest information.

We only use top brand dermal fillers, which have an excellent safety record and have been in use for many years. With tear trough treatment, it is especially important to choose a skilled and experienced practitioner.

Surprisingly little – usually just 1ml is used – half under each eye. The key in this procedure is the strategic positioning of injections and massage for effective filler distribution.

The eye area is delicate and sensitive, so it is normal to worry about how treatment here may feel. However, we use a numbing agent before treatment to minimise discomfort, then the dermal fillers also have a built-in local anaesthetic. You will feel the procedure happening, but it won’t hurt at all.

Results of tear trough treatment generally last around 9-12 months. Treatment can then be repeated as required