Do you notice that you look tired, even when you have slept well? Dark circles or a hollow look under your eyes can make you appear older or more tired than you are. These so-called under-eye bags often arise due to volume loss or a natural deepening of the tear trough. Fortunately, there is a safe way to reduce under-eye bags without surgery: with a tear trough treatment with fillers you subtly restore your fresh, rested appearance.
What are under-eye bags and why do they develop?
Under-eye bags are swellings or dark shadows under the eyes. They can be caused by fluid retention, fat deposits or volume loss. Because the skin under the eyes is very thin, these changes are extra noticeable. Causes include skin ageing, heredity, sleep deprivation or lifestyle. With volume loss, the hollow area under the eyes, the tear trough, sinks in deeper, creating shadows and making you look more tired.
Which type of under-eye bags do you have?
“Under-eye bags” is a collective term for various conditions under the eye. This is important to know, as the cause determines whether an under-eye filler is suitable. Broadly, we distinguish four types.
Volume loss in the tear trough (hollow eyes)
The groove between your under-eye and your cheek sinks deeper. This creates a shadow and makes the area look dark, even if your skin is healthy. This is the type that a tear trough filler is intended for: by filling the hollow, the shadow disappears and your eyes immediately look fresher.
Fluid-related bags
Swelling due to fluid retention, which often fluctuates and is usually most noticeable in the morning. Sleep deprivation, salty food, alcohol, or an allergy play a role here. Fillers for bags are not the solution in this case: the fluid often disappears on its own, and filling can actually make the area look fuller.
Fat pads or excess skin
With fat pads, the fat pocket under the eye bulges forward. Sometimes excess skin accompanies this. Here too, a filler is not the solution—you would be filling something that is already too full. In this situation, a lower blepharoplasty with a plastic surgeon is the appropriate route.
Dark circles due to pigment or thin skin
Discolouration that you see if you pull the skin tight in the mirror and the darkness remains. This is a skin issue, not a volume issue. A filler under the eyes does not change the pigmentation. For this type of bag, a targeted skin treatment is more suitable than a filler. During the free consultation, we will discuss which options best suit your situation.
In practice, types can overlap. Therefore, during the free consultation, we always assess what you see under your eyes first. If a filler is not the right treatment, we will tell you straight—that saves you a treatment that does not do what you hope.
How can fillers reduce under-eye bags?
With a tear trough treatment, a hyaluronic acid-based filler is safely injected into the tear trough. This filler replenishes volume loss and softens the transition between your under-eye and your cheek. This fades the shadow under your eyes and makes you look immediately fresher. Do you want to know more about this treatment? Then read our blog: What are eye bag fillers?
Advantages of a tear trough treatment with fillers:
- Subtly replenishes volume loss
- Fades dark circles under the eyes
- Makes the transition between eye and cheek smoother
- Makes you look rested and younger
- Preserves your natural expression
Advantages of a filler treatment against under-eye bags
- Without surgery: no scars or recovery time
- Fast result: often immediately visible
- Treatment of only 20–30 minutes
- Natural effect: you remain yourself, but more rested
- Long-lasting result from 8 to 12 months
How does the treatment proceed?
- Free consultation. We will examine your under-eye region together, discuss your wishes, and assess whether an under-eye filler is suitable. You will receive honest advice and know exactly what to expect.
- Preparation We cleanse the skin and go through the treatment step by step with you. On request, we use an anaesthetic cream.
- The treatment. The doctor injects the hyaluronic acid filler accurately and at the correct depth into the tear trough. This takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Immediately afterwards. We briefly press down on the injection points to limit swelling and bruising. You can immediately continue with your day.
- Recovery. For the first few days, you may experience slight swelling or a sensitive feeling around your under-eye. This will fade on its own. Any bruising can be camouflaged with make-up after a few hours.
- Review. During the review appointment, we will look at the result together and, if necessary, perform a minor touch-up.
