Stubborn dark circles and undereye hollows can often linger, even after 8 hours of rest. You might have tried every home treatment in the book, using cold compresses, tea bags, eye creams, concealers, and different sleeping positions to improve the look of your undereyes upon waking.
However, natural aging can affect the appearance of the thin, delicate skin beneath the eyes, hindering your DIY remedies.
With skilled injectors like Dr. Faulkner, you can experience a subtle lift without ineffective topical treatments—or surgery. At Faulkner Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, Dr. Faulkner precisely administers filler under the eyes for patients struggling with a sunken, tired-looking appearance.
Continue reading to learn how filler can restore your youthful, refreshed look, or schedule your consultation to discuss dermal fillers for under eyes in Bethesda, MD.
What Causes Dark Circles?
Often, we can attribute the bruise-like pigmentation under the eyes to genetics. If your parents have dark circles, you are more likely to have them as well. However, there are many other factors at play when we consider the source of dark circles.
Aging
Aging can also exacerbate the appearance of dark circles, as the collagen and elastin in the delicate skin below the eyes diminishes. Without the fibers that give it strength and fullness, the undereye skin thins over time. As the tissue weakens, the blood vessels under the skin might become more visible, often appearing dark blue or purple.
Skin Conditions
For some patients, a skin condition like eczema might contribute to pigmented rings under the eyes. When your blood vessels dilate, due to eczema or poor circulation, the affected skin might appear discolored.
If eczema afflicts your eyelids and you are constantly rubbing your eyes, this agitation can cause blood vessels to break, contributing to a tired or aging appearance.
Lifestyle
Additionally, your lifestyle choices can influence the look of your undereyes. With inadequate sleep, the skin under the eyes might appear pale or dull, making any underlying pigmentation more visible.
Regular sun exposure also prompts the body’s melanin production, so if you naturally have color under the eyes, it might deepen.
If big life events and a packed calendar create excess stress, the body’s responding cortisol production drives increased blood flow to the eyes, causing the capillaries in your tear troughs to darken.
Other habits like alcohol consumption and smoking further dehydrate the skin, inhibiting your usual collagen and elastin development and speeding up skin aging.
What Creates Deep Undereye Hollows?
Enophthalmos, or eye sockets set deep into the skull, might be genetic. For many people, dark circles and a sunken undereye go hand in hand. However, the causes of your pigmentation and deep undereye grooves may differ.
Getting Older
Just as the skin becomes thinner with age, time also takes its toll on our deeper facial anatomy. Over the years, our maxilla and zygomatic facial bones steadily diminish, and our orbital muscles weaken. The natural fat pads between the bones and skin—typically found under the eyes, around the temples, and in the cheeks—also decline with time.
Often, this volume loss stems from reduced hormone production and the subsequent rerouting of fat elsewhere in the body.
As our facial bones, muscles, and fat pads dwindle, we lose the essential structures that once supported youthful, plump, defined features. In response, the tear troughs might deepen, contributing to an aged or tired appearance.
Weight Loss
When attempting to lose weight, you cannot spot-treat certain areas of your body to achieve the desired results. As the pounds fall away, you might unintentionally trigger fat reduction in the face, creating new or deepening hollows under the eyes.
How Does Filler Combat Dark, Sunken Undereyes?
While topical treatments can temporarily plump or brighten the skin beneath the eyes, they typically do not foster a lasting change in volume or pigmentation.
At Faulkner Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, Dr. Faulkner can administer dermal fillers for under eyes. In Bethesda, this minimally invasive treatment style immediately lifts the skin, reducing the hollow appearance and minimizing visible discoloration.
Dr. Faulkner’s Approach to Undereye Filler
Prior to placing filler beneath the eyes, you can meet with Dr. Faulkner for a consultation to discuss your treatment goals and medical history. As a board-certified surgeon and our sole injector, he can expertly tailor your treatment plan to address your undereyes and any other skin concerns. He also advises any steps you can take to prepare for dermal fillers for under eyes in Bethesda, often including:
- Discontinue use of medications like blood-thinners, aspirin, and other NSAIDs at least 5 to 7 days prior to your appointment.
- Avoid herbal supplements like fish oil and vitamin E 5 to 7 days before injections.
- Limit sun exposure 1 to 2 weeks before treatment, as this can provoke skin sensitivity and irritation.
- Schedule facial treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion at least 1 to 2 weeks prior to your filler injections, as they can make the skin more sensitive.
- Arrive for your appointment well-hydrated with clean skin, free of any makeup or other skincare products.
During treatment, Dr. Faulkner uses Juvéderm Volbella XC to gently restore volume under the eyes, adopting a conservative approach as he injects small amounts around the treatment site with a fine needle. The numbing agent in Volbella helps you remain comfortable as he carefully “fills in” the tear troughs and smooths the transition from your eyes to your cheeks.
Dr. Faulkner prefers Volbella for the undereyes because the soft hyaluronic acid formula enhances the look of hollow, uneven, or dark tear troughs while adapting easily to your eye movements.
By administering the dermal filler in tiny increments just above the bone, Dr. Faulkner fosters subtle results that reveal your natural beauty. When you look and feel more rested, your inner radiance and vitality can truly shine.
Maintaining Your Awake Appearance
After your expertly placed filler injections, Dr. Faulkner can guide you through any after-care steps and a personalized maintenance schedule as needed.
For most patients who receive dermal fillers for under eyes in Bethesda, MD, you can expect some minor swelling or bruising around the injection site. We will provide a cold compress that you can use on your treatment day and during the days that follow to ease inflammation.
Dr. Faulkner often also recommends the following post-care instructions to facilitate smooth healing:
- Gently massage the skin under the eyes as directed by Dr. Faulkner.
- Wait 12 to 24 hours before resuming your usual makeup application around the treated area.
- Use gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and SPF to avoid irritating the skin following treatment. Do not use skincare products with active ingredients for 5 to 7 days after your procedure.
- Avoid direct sun exposure and extreme heat for the first 48 hours after your injections.
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated to reduce swelling and avoid applying pressure to your face.
- Wait to resume intense activity and exercise until 24 to 48 hours after your treatment to minimize bruising.
After a smooth recovery, patients can enjoy restored volume and youthful radiance. In fact, 90% of Juvéderm Volbella XC recipients see refreshed results for up to 1 year after injection.
Partner With an Experienced Injector
The orbital area under your eyes is home to thin skin—and an intricate network of blood vessels. Dr. Faulkner, a highly qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon, is well-versed in facial anatomy and best practices, capable of safely, precisely injecting custom dermal fillers for under eyes.
In Bethesda, MD, this deep clinical knowledge and aesthetic experience has earned Dr. Faulkner recognition, with several “Top Doctor” nominations from Washingtonian Magazine, Bethesda Magazine, and DC Luxury.
Expertise You Can Trust
As you weigh the benefits of undereye filler and your current skincare routine, it might help to hear from patients who have been in your shoes. When Ryan chooses Dr. Faulkner for dermal fillers for under eyes in Bethesda, he knows he will be satisfied with the outcome.
“I have been a patient of Dr. Faulkner for four years now, and I couldn’t be happier with the consummate professionalism invariably shown by Dr. Faulkner and his staff. Truly one of the best experiences. I highly recommend Dr. Faulkner for Botox, filler, and chemical peels. I appreciate Dr. Faulkner taking the time to explain in detail every procedure and always answering my questions thoroughly. Moreover, Dr. Faulkner’s wife, Joanne, is the best; she’s always responsive and flexible when booking appointments. I am a patient for life.”
– Ryan M
With an artistic hand and surgical precision, Dr. Faulkner can help you look and feel your best again, ready to face the world with fresh eyes.
Embrace Your Youthful Undereyes
When dark circles and hollow undereyes affect your self-image, you do not have to settle for ineffective home remedies. For a subtle, lasting lift that rewinds the clock, plan your treatment with dermal fillers for under eyes in Bethesda, MD.
Discover how Dr. Faulkner treats bags around the eyes through surgical and nonsurgical treatments.
