Tear Trough

The tear trough is the area under the eye, which can appear sunken and hollow and this can make the eye area look tired. This procedure can help mask eye bags and dark circles.

This hollowness or ‘ridge’ can extend under the eye and down onto the cheek. The tear trough procedure is suitable for men and women and can be combined in a procedure known as the eye opener for even better results.

The tear trough procedure can improve the appearance of:

Sunken hollows under the eyes
Eye bags
Dark Circles
Cheek creases

Treatment time

The treatment takes 30 minutes, and this includes some time before to prepare the area with a topical anaesthetic. Most patients do not find this treatment at all uncomfortable.

Recovery time

There may be redness and a little swelling, which will settle within 24 hours. Bruising can happen, but it is rare and can be covered with make-up.

Results Duration

Results are instant and can last between 10 to 18 months.

Treatment	Price
First session	£480
Top up session (in 6-8 weeks)	£250

What is a tear trough?

The area the runs under the eye in a groove. This can make the eyes look ‘tired’ and ‘drawn’ and can also give the appearance of dark circles and cannot be masked with make up or concealer. This ‘groove’ can be a sign of ageing but can also be visible in younger people even in their 20’s with both men and women being affected by the condition. Once corrected, the tear trough can look beautifully natural, and will not change the shape of the eyes or alter the facial proportions. Sometimes when the tear trough treatment is combined with Botox in our unique eye opener procedure, the results can be even better.

Can the tear trough procedure treat dark circles?

There are many reasons why the area under the eye appears dark. A sunken tear trough can often appear as a dark ridge under the eye due to the shade caused by the hollow and, once corrected, the dark circle disappears. However, when there is pigment present under the eye, the tear trough procedure can improve the appearance but will not get improve the colour. In this case we would combine the tear trough procedure with other treatments for pigmentation such as laser or topical creams.

Does the Tear Trough treatment hurt?

Most patients find it very tolerable. We can put on a topical anaesthetic patch, which will not only anesthetise the area but also reduce the risk of bruising. The injection technique is also extremely important and most of our patients say they found the procedure very comfortable.

When will I see the results of the Tear Trough treatment?

The results are instant. With patients having the procedure for the first time we like to complete the treatment in two sessions spaced 4-8 weeks apart to achieve a perfect correction. There may be some initial swelling and redness but this can be covered with medicated make up and patients can return to their normal social activities immediately.

What are the risks of the tear trough procedure?

With all our procedures a full list of potential side effects are discussed with you before treatment. Common side effects can include mild to moderate swelling, redness and bruising. More severe side effects, such as an allergic reaction, are rare, but Dr Glancey will discuss this with you prior to treatment. We only use non permanent and reversible fillers for the tear trough procedure which means that if for some reason you want to “undo” the effect of the treatment that is possible with an injection of an enzyme that “dissolves “ the filler .

Is there anything I can do to prepare for the Tear Trough procedure?

Whilst we take all precautions to avoid side effects such as bruising there are a few tips that you could consider before any treatment, which may reduce the risk of undesirable side effects. They include;

Avoid alcohol 24 hours before and in particular red wine
Avoid smoking 24 hours prior to treatment
Avoid meals containing garlic 24 hours before as this can increase the risk of bruising
Avoid blood thinning medications such as Aspirin for 2 weeks before the treatment. If you are on medication for a diagnosed condition we would not ask you to stop any medication. Warfarin is a medication that can increase the risk of bruising but you would not be asked to stop this but the implications would be discussed with the Doctor prior to your treatment.
Avoid non-steroidal painkillers for 2-4 days hours before the treatment, such as Brufen, Nurofen etc. as these can increase the risk of bruising. If you need to take painkillers before your treatment paracetamol would be preferable.

What technique is used for the tear trough treatment?

The introduction of the filler into the tear trough can be achieved using two techniques. The first is by using a needle and the second is using a cannula. The decision on which technique is used would be discussed with Dr Glancey and yourself prior to the procedure.

What can I expect after the tear trough treatment?

We would ask that you don’t apply your own make up for 6-12 hours after the procedure. We will apply a medicated cover make up to cover any redness.

You should be able to resume all your normal activities immediately following the treatment. If it’s your first time having this treatment we will arrange a review appointment 4-8 weeks.