Myths on tear trough fillers – busted

When it comes to fillers and Botox some people can be hesitant, one of the reasons for this is due to the requirement to have injections (usually in your face) which can be deemed worrying to those unaccustomed to this type of procedure. Wide media coverage of the minority of any treatments globally which are not 100% successful can also fuel any concerns, no matter how minor they may be.

Our tear trough fillers are highly effective and extremely popular which means that we are regularly asked similar questions from patients. In this article we take a look at some of the most common myths surrounding tear trough fillers and address them for you!

Are fillers the same as Botox?

Fillers and Botox are completely different. Fillers are injected into areas to plump up any unwanted lines or wrinkles. These are usually areas which have lost their fatty layers, causing it to sag or leave dark marks. Fillers can also stimulate collagen which will help with your longer term appearance. Botox is injected into the muscle which in turn relaxes any wrinkles you may have such as crow’s feet or forehead lines.

Are fillers painful?

As with all procedures you will feel some amount of pain or discomfort but we have certain measures to ensure these are very minimal. Most patients report that having tear trough fillers feel more uncomfortable rather than painful and rate it a 2-3 out of 10 for pain. We use a fast acting topical anaesthetic to ensure you are in minimal discomfort. We then wait for 20 minutes for the anaesthetic to kick in before performing the procedure. We also usually use blunt cannulas which make the fillers more comfortable for you and are safer as well.

Will you be able to tell if I’ve had fillers?

The aim of tear trough fillers are to plump out the hollows of your eyes so, in this sense, yes you will be able to tell as this is what you’re looking for! You shouldn’t, however, be able to tell through lumpiness or uneven areas. If you are worried about the appearance of your tear trough fillers then you should use a specialist that you trust. We have built up a respectable Harley Street clinic with clinicians that have had years of experience and worked on countless numbers of patients. You can view a sample of our before and after photos of our tear trough fillers here.

Can I go blind from tear trough fillers?

As with almost every type of procedure, there have been articles written about the topic of unsuccessful procedures being completed. In this case they sometimes discuss the concept of fillers getting into your blood vessels which can cut off the blood supply to your eye’s artery. As you would expect, reports are from very minute numbers of people and of those seen, they appear to be US focussed in the main. The risk is never zero but you should always seek out an experienced specialist to minimise your risk.

Can you reverse tear trough fillers?

It is a common misconception that you cannot reverse any fillers that you may have. In actual fact, if you are unhappy with a certain area that has been treated or are not happy with your overall look, some fillers can be reversed using an agent called hyaluronidase which breaks up the acid in the fillers. Alternatively, fillers last up to a year (sometimes 18 months) and therefore the look will wear off around this time should you prefer to wait for them to fade out.

Tear trough filler aftercare

It is important for you to know what is normal after you have had tear trough fillers. You should have sensitivity around your eyes for up to 48 hours after and will usually be able to return to work within 24 hours. You may experience some light bruising and swelling which is normal for this type of procedure and these should last up to two weeks in extreme cases. You should also be aware that complications include loss of vision, infection and necrosis, although these are rare. If you experience any other form of pain or discomfort you should contact your specialist immediately to seek help.