The tear trough, located near the inner corner of the eye close to the nose, can make the lower eyelid appear protruding. This often leads to confusion with eye bags.
Eye bags result from aging and laxity of the lower eyelid skin and subcutaneous fibrous tissue, weakening the support for orbital fat and causing it to bulge outward.Younger patients exhibit localized lower eyelid bulging, while middle-aged and elderly patients show both bulging and skin laxity with wrinkles. The tear trough is a crescent-shaped groove along the inner lower edge of the eye bag, becoming more pronounced under light. This area marks the junction between the lower eyelid and facial skin, where skin thickness differs significantly.In youth, skin remains firm with abundant collagen and subcutaneous fat in both eyelids and facial skin, resulting in a less defined boundary. With aging, this disparity widens, creating a distinct groove at the junction. Both eye bags and tear troughs contribute to a tired, aged appearance. The difference lies in pronounced tear troughs often conveying a sorrowful, melancholic illusion—as if one has just cried.
The presence of tear troughs often makes under-eye bags appear more prominent.Some young individuals mistakenly believe they have eye bags and seek removal procedures simply because the appearance of tear troughs makes the upper lower eyelid seem puffy. Similarly, some who have undergone surgery may mistakenly assume the doctor did not fully remove the eye bags because the tear trough issue remains unresolved. The root of these problems lies not in the eye bags themselves, but in the need to address the tear troughs. By filling in the hollow groove of the tear trough, the eye bags will show significant improvement.
Hyaluronic acid injections are commonly used to fill tear trough depressions. Hyaluronic acid, the primary component of these fillers, naturally exists within the skin. Appropriate supplementation not only helps the skin absorb ample moisture from both internal sources and the skin's surface but also enhances the skin's long-term hydration retention and anti-aging capabilities.
The molecular weight of the hyaluronic acid filler used depends on the depth of the tear trough. Deeper troughs may require a higher molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which can be injected deeper. Bruising is uncommon. After the procedure, applying ice can alleviate discomfort and speed recovery, but avoid applying excessive pressure.Generally, no noticeable abnormalities appear after hyaluronic acid tear trough filler injections. Those with bruising may require approximately 72 hours for recovery. Post-procedure, intensify moisturizing and sun protection. Avoid saunas or steam rooms immediately after treatment to prevent accelerated hyaluronic acid metabolism, which could compromise results.
If the needle accidentally punctures a blood vessel around the eye during hyaluronic acid injection, it may initially appear as a darker dark circle. As the bruising subsides, a yellowish-brownish glow may surface on the skin, resembling the appearance after applying iodine.Therefore, never schedule tear trough filler injections just days before important events. Always choose a professional, accredited medical facility and an experienced specialist for the procedure to ensure safety and optimal results.