- Avoid any blood thinning products for one week before your appointment, such as fish oil/omega 3, vitamin E, and NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aspirin). Alcohol and smoking can also increase your chance of bruising.
- Arnica Montana (Arnicare) is an herbal product that helps minimize swelling and bruising. It comes in both topical and oral tablet versions. Take the oral tablets at least two days before filler to help minimize bruising.
- Don't schedule your filler within two weeks of a special event. We want to ensure enough time for healing before these events.
- You may come in with makeup on, but it will be taken off in injected areas.
- Avoid vaccines or dental appointments two weeks before your filler procedure.
Under-Eye Filler
Are your eyes making you appear older than you feel? As we age, we lose collagen and fat, resulting in under-eye hollowing that can make us appear tired. Restoring lost volume with dermal fillers can help us look more awake and lifted and turn back the clock on aging eyes and upper face. Depending on your anatomy, Botox® or Dysport® can also be added to the muscles in the eye area, helping with fine lines and crow's feet.
What should I expect before my under-eye filler appointment?
What should I expect during my under-eye filler appointment?
- Your provider will review the procedure again at your visit and ask if you have any questions before beginning.
- The under-eye filler procedure usually takes 30 minutes or less.
- We will use ice to ease any discomfort associated with the injection process during your appointment. All the fillers we use have numbing agents within the product, making the injection process very comfortable. Most patients say the pain is 1/10 on a pain scale.
What should I expect after my under-eye filler appointment?
- You will have swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the under eyes, which may take up to two weeks to resolve. Most of the healing happens within the first week.
- Try to lightly ice the injected areas for five minutes 2-4 times daily for 2-3 days after the filler is placed. Do not push hard with the ice.
- Try to sleep elevated with another pillow under your head for the first few nights to reduce swelling.
- Apply or take arnica until bruising and swelling are gone.
- You may shower and wash your face as usual. Makeup and moisturizers may be worn after injections as well.
- You will feel the filler for the first week or so; it may even feel hard or lumpy. The filler will soften up, smooth out, and feel like your own tissue again within two weeks.
- Avoid exercising for 24 hours and air travel for 72 hours.
- Avoid dentist appointments and vaccines for two weeks after your filler appointment.
- Drinking plenty of water and avoiding a high-salt diet will help minimize swelling.
- Use Tylenol (acetaminophen) for any discomfort.
How long does under-eye filler last?
Under-eye filler can last from 1 to several years and varies from patient to patient. We typically see our tear-trough patients annually for maintenance and touch-ups as needed.
Is under eye filler reversible?
- We use hyaluronic acid (HA) filler in the under eye, which slowly breaks down over time, so it is not considered a permanent filler.
- The hyaluronidase enzyme can dissolve/break down HA fillers quickly. We can inject this into treated areas with immediate results. So yes, HA fillers are "reversible."
- We always carry hyaluronidase in the clinic, which can dissolve HA fillers if needed.