Can Restylane Fix Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

When you think of a youthful face, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many people, a youthful face means looking fresh and energized, with naturally supple skin and a radiant complexion. Unfortunately, one of the roadblocks to a youthful appearance is something we have very little control over preventing – and that’s dark circles. At Sule Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic in Dallas, TX, we know that Restylane is an ideal fix for treating dark circles and other aging concerns related to the eyes.

Can Restylane Fix Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

Yes, this dermal filler can absolutely be used to treat dark circles beneath the eyes. Because dark circles are classically defined as sagging tear troughs and are generally caused by low skin volume beneath the eyes, using a dermal filler can help restore the amount of volume beneath the eyes to erase the appearance of dark circles.

In fact, Restylane is one of only a few dermal fillers that can be safely used around the eyes. Most of the time, dermal fillers can only be used on the mid-face to correct age-related volume loss, and the treatment of certain eye concerns is grounded to only topical creams. However, this particular dermal filler has a unique formula that attaches naturally to the sub-dermal layers of the skin to safely and efficiently correct volume loss, even around the delicate eye area.

What Are Dark Circles?

Dark circles are the area beneath the eyes that is characterized by loose or sagging skin. In fiction, dark circles are usually used to describe characters who appear tired – and the same is true for real life. The appearance of dark circles or hollowness beneath the eyes can make us appear tired, worn out, and generally much older than we are.

Dark circles are also sometimes called tear troughs. Again, this descriptor is derived from the “trough” that forms beneath the eye and creates the illusion of a shadow. It’s a common misconception that dark circles must have dark skin, but the truth is that dark circles can appear to be simple volume loss. For the treatment of dark circles that are caused by pigment concerns, you may need a different treatment.

What Causes Dark Circles?

The cause of dark circles is, in general, a lack of volume in the skin beneath the eyes. The area around the eye has very thin and delicate skin, which makes it faster to lose moisture, easier to irritate, and even more vulnerable to damage, such as sun damage. When the thin skin around your eye loses volume as a result of the natural aging process, the appearance of the tear troughs can become more obvious, which in turn makes you appear older and more tired.

Dark circles can also be caused by genetic factors. For people who do not naturally have a high amount of orbital fat (fat around the eye area), it can be much easier to develop dark circles. People of Asian descent, for example, tend to have more orbital fat than people of European descent. Fortunately, a dermal filler can replace this loss of volume or augment the volume for people who naturally do not have orbital fat.

What Else Can Fillers Treat For the Eyes?

Of course, dark circles beneath the eyes are not the only age-related eye concerns that can be addressed with dermal fillers. In the case of this dermal filler, the injectable treatment is commonly used to treat two other eye concerns. The use of this filler for the treatment of additional eye concerns should be discussed with your provider during your consultation.

Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet are the fine lines and wrinkles that form on the outer corners of the eye. Also caused by gradual depletion of collagen as a result of the natural aging process, crow’s feet tend to develop earlier in life, usually around the age of 30 to 40 for most people. Crow’s feet are unique wrinkles because they form solely as a result of crinkling the skin around the eyes for a lifetime, something that usually happens during laughter or smiling.

Crow’s feet can sometimes be difficult to treat. Although this dermal filler can be used to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, it’s also common to use neurotoxins like Botox to smooth crow’s feet by relaxing the muscles around the eye. Crow’s feet are also commonly treated with at-home products, such as retinol-based eye creams and serums.

Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes are caused by mild fluid retention and extra orbital fat around the eyes. Many people wake up with puffy eyes, but having puffy bags beneath the eyes can make you appear older. Using a dermal filler can reduce the appearance of puffy eyes by evening out the volume around the eyes. Sometimes, puffy eyes can be caused by dehydration, a high sodium diet, or allergies.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Does Restylane Work?

Restylane is a dermal filler made with hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule that can be found naturally in the sub-dermal layers of the skin. Just like any other injectable treatment, this filler works by injecting a special formula into your skin, which instantly creates additional volume in the skin to restore your appearance. The unique binding properties of this filler formula make it easier for the filler to mold and attach to your skin to improve your appearance.

The Importance of Hyaluronic Acid

The biggest key to this Restylane treatment is the main ingredient of the filler, hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid has been a buzzword in the cosmetic and beauty community for the past few years. This sugar molecule is well-known for its ability to retain several times its own weight in water, which means the molecule makes it easier to bind water to the skin.

Just like collagen and elastin, the amount of hyaluronic acid produced naturally by the body decreases as a result of natural aging. As your skin produces less hyaluronic acid, your skin texture will become thinner and more prone to dryness. Over-the-counter products like serums and moisturizers made with hyaluronic acid can temporarily plump the appearance of your skin, but hyaluronic acid truly works best when it’s injected directly into trouble spots.

2. Is Restylane Better Than Other Fillers?

Whether or not this filler is better than its competition, such as Juvederm, is something that can only be determined by your specific needs and preferences. Truthfully, this filler is on par with other hyaluronic acid-based fillers. The real difference between different fillers sharing the same active ingredient comes down to how and where each filler can be used. Unlike other fillers, Restylane can be easily used on virtually the entire face, as well as the back of the hands.

3. What Can You Expect From Treatment?

Your dermal filler treatment will be very simple. After applying a topical numbing cream to your treatment area, several small injections of the filler will be made into different zones of your face. Your overall treatment time will usually take less than 30 minutes to complete. Because this is a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment, you will easily be able to fit your appointment into the middle of your day and then go back to work.

Preparation

Preparation for any dermal filler shares a few common recommendations. For example, you should stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements at least 48 hours before your appointment, and you should also avoid drinking alcohol. Both of these steps will make your treatment and recovery easier.

Aftercare

After your treatment, you will be instructed to avoid touching, rubbing, or massaging your treatment area so that you do not disturb the filler. You will need to avoid steam, hot water, and harsh chemicals around the treatment areas, as well. Please wear SPF and sunglasses when you plan to be outside in the daytime.

4. How Much Filler Will You Need?

Most people will not need more than one syringe of this dermal filler to treat their appearance-related concerns. Even if you are treating dark circles in addition to fine lines and wrinkles on the face, it’s unlikely that you will require additional filler to achieve your optimal results. We will use a conservative amount of filler to achieve natural-looking results.

5. How Soon Will You See Results?

Dermal fillers can produce instant results, which is one of the benefits for providers since it enables us to know exactly how much filler is required to produce your desired results. Most people can expect to leave their appointment looking refreshed because of the instant plumping results produced by this dermal filler. Your results will gradually improve as the filler is absorbed by the body, with many people still seeing excellent results even six months or more after their treatment.

6. How Long Will Results Last?

When injected into the area beneath the eyes, you can generally expect your results to last for at least six to nine months. Sometimes, the results of this filler can last for a year depending on the severity of your skin condition and how well your body processes the filler formula.

7. How Frequently Should You Have Treatment?

Your treatment frequency will depend entirely on how long your results last. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to schedule your next appointment when you notice your results are starting to fade so that you can enjoy continuous results. For most people, this means scheduling a touch-up appointment once every six months to maintain their results.

8. Can You Use This Filler in Other Areas?

Yes, this filler can be used in other areas of the face. For example, you can use this filler to treat nasolabial wrinkles, downturned mouth corners, thinning lips, lipstick lines, hollow cheeks, and other fine lines and wrinkles on the face. If you would like to treat other areas of the face along with your dark circles, please let us know during your consultation.

9. Who Are Good Candidates?

If you are embarrassed or concerned about the appearance of dark circles beneath your eyes, then you are probably a good candidate for this treatment. The best candidates are those who do not have a history of severe allergic reactions and who are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Candidates should also not have any active skin conditions, such as eczema, within two weeks of their appointment.

Correct Your Dark Circles With Restylane Today

Dark circles can be tough to deal with. There’s no amount of ice-cold spoons or skin-tightening serums applied beneath the eyes that can reduce the appearance of dark circles – and contrary to popular belief, getting enough sleep isn’t always effective, either. If you think the key to reducing your dark circles is with Restylane treatments, please contact Sule Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic in Dallas, TX to schedule your first appointment today.