How Long Do Dermal Fillers for Under Eye Last?

If you’ve been seeing sagging and wrinkling outside of the usual eye bags since late at night, it may signal the time to update your skincare routine or receive a dermal filler for a safe and effective way to spruce them up. When you’re weighing your options, one of the questions you need to ask is how long will the results of the treatment last.

So how long do eye fillers for the under eye area or the tear through last? They last for about 9 months to a year. However, the exact duration is dependent on a lot of factors such as the skin condition of the patient, the dermal filler product used, aftercare steps, and skincare routine. With an effective maintenance routine, they can even last for up to three years.

The Duration of Tear Trough Fillers

Dermal fillers for the under-eye area, also known as tear troughs or eye hollows, are injected to clear up sagging, wrinkles, and any blemishes that develop in the face. It is usually thinner or has larger hyaluronic acid particles compared to other dermal fillers because only a small amount of tear through filler is needed. Below are the most popular options and their listed duration:

1. Restylane Lyft

The Restylane product line is based on hyaluronic acid (HA). A compound that already exists in your body to hydrate the skin to keep it supple and plump. For the tear through, Restylane Lyft is recommended for its bigger HA particles that ensure an appropriate amount of added volume with a small amount of eye filler. Reports vary from 6 months to up to a year.

2. Juvederm Ultra

Juvederm is another HA filler product line that also has its own eye filler: Juvederm Ultra.Its used for any fine lines and wrinkles around the tear trough area It's noted for its even consistency and can also be used for lip augmentation. This eye filler lasts for 6 to 12 months.

3. Radiesse

Radiesse has a different base from the hyaluronic acid fillers. Its main component is calcium hydroxylapatite, a compound that is similar to those found in bones. Because of its chemical makeup, it lasts longer than other fillers with the average going up to 15 months with an average of 9 months.

How Long Is the Downtime for Tear Trough Fillers?

Dermal filler treatment is known as a lunchtime procedure. The treatment only takes 15 to 30 minutes as it's a series of short injections. Afterward, you still have the option to return to work comfortably without any urgent need to rest your face. Depending on your work schedule and sensitivity to side effects, downtime can range from 3 days to 2 weeks.

However, there may be side effects from the first three days after the injection like bruising, swelling, redness, and slight pain. These can easily be remedied with rest, cold compress, and small massages around the injected area. If you are vulnerable to these expected side effects, it is best to keep the first three days free. Alcohol, smoking, and extraneous exercise should also be avoided to prevent agitating the sore eye skin.

Though three days is commonly recommended, it is safe to say that patients usually completely recover from any side effects within the first 2-week period after the dermal filler injection. So if you want to play it safe, keep the next 2 weeks free from any stressful events. After the two-week period, you may return to your usual habits like exercising.

When Are Peak Results for Under Eye Filler?

Most dermal fillers will peak after two weeks after the eye filler procedure. However, within minutes after the injection, some of the skin in the tear through may have lifted or slightly plumped up. Within a couple of days, the eye area will slowly grow to become supple and smooth. After two weeks, and after all the side effects have subsided, you will be welcomed with an improved and refreshed under eye area.

Unlike other tear trough correction treatments, it doesn’t take months for its full benefits to surface. The results from the past 2 weeks will remain the same until it slowly dwindles in the halfway point of its printed duration.

Intervals for Next Under Eye Filler Treatment

To maintain the full effects of the eye filler, another tear trough filler treatment can be scheduled in as early as two weeks after the first one. Your dermatologist may need to do a touch-up after observing how the tear through absorbs the eye filler. But remember that it doesn’t have to be two weeks, it can be spaced out in months like, for example, within its prescribed half-life.

However, be wary of accidentally overfilling the tear through or other parts of the face with frequent dermal filler injections. Swelling, puckering, and puffiness may happen more often if the appropriate intervals are not observed. Only schedule another eye filler treatment if you think you may need a touch-up or the results are starting to diminish.

Candidates for Long-Lasting Under Eye Filler Treatment

Generally, anyone with a healthy body looking to provide their sunken eyes or sagging and wrinkling skin from aging with natural volume and texture is a welcome candidate for eye filler treatment. Common issues that eye filler solve include:

• Mild to moderate wrinkling or sagging
• Loss of volume and elasticity in the tear through
• Clearing up some types of acne scars.

You may not be an ideal candidate if you have the following qualities. Consult your dermatologist to find alternative ways for a tear through lift or if you can still proceed with the dermal filler treatment.

• Thin skin in the tear through
• Excess fat pads under the eyes
• Recent skin infections
• Deep dark circles
• Heavy eye bags

Best Ways to Extend the Effects and Lifespan of Under Eye Filler

Despite the duration of the filler being listed in the product box, the actual lifespan of an eye filler depends largely on how it's maintained after the injection. Outside of regularly scheduled touch-ups, there are many ways to prolong the benefits of the eye filler while providing some extra skincare at the same time.

1. Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthily

A balanced diet with adequate hydration does hidden wonders for the skin. For dermal fillers, eating foods with too much sugar or high in sodium may increase the chances of puffiness or swelling in the treated area. Consume foods high in vitamins C and D to strengthen the skin. Meanwhile, water is responsible for the skin’s texture, volume, and elasticity. Drinking your daily intake will help the skin in the tear trough break down the filler, boosting its effects.

2. Avoid Excessive Facial Movement

Extensive and exaggerated movement in the face is the number one culprit when it comes to creating dynamic wrinkles. However, if there are dermal fillers injected into the face, it may reposition it, creating asymmetrical results, especially in the first few days after the injection. Always take care of touching your face like when using a towel to wipe the water off it. Also, trying to avoid making extreme facial expressions often does not stretch the skin too much.

3. Protect Yourself Against Sunlight

Extended exposure to heat and the Ultraviolet rays from the sun will break down the collagen and filler in the injected area, boosting the effects of aging on the affected area. Incorporate a 35+SPF sunscreen in your skincare routine or before leaving to protect your skin from the sun. Also try to avoid other activities that involve being exposed to heat like tanning, using a sauna, and exercising under the sun, especially during the first two weeks after the eye filler treatment.

Durable Under Eye Fillers at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics

It can be discouraging to wake up with sagging eyes even with a beauty nap, but it isn’t the end of the world. For a simple yet highly effective way to get that natural look back in the under eye, dermal fillers are a highly sought out treatment. The next step is to receive it from an expert injector to provide you with the full beautifying effects of the dermal filler.

At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, we can refresh any part of your face with our world-class dermal filler treatment. Our team of professionals is led by Dr. Lanna, with hundreds of successful dermal filler procedures under her belt. Get started on your beauty journey and book a consultation with us today.