What Is the Tear Trough?
The tear trough is the concave groove running from the inner corner of the eye along the orbital rim. Volume loss and skin thinning in this area creates a shadowed depression — dark circles or a tired appearance. It can be worsened by orbital fat pads above or mid-face descent that deepens the eyelid-cheek transition.
Is Dark Circles Always a Filler Indication?
No. Dark circles have multiple causes: tear trough hollowing (correctable with filler), pigmentation (laser), thin skin with visible vessels (not well treated with filler), and orbital fat pads (not correctable with filler). Dr Sin Yong assesses the primary cause and recommends the appropriate treatment.
How Tear Trough Filler Is Done
Ultra-thin HA filler is placed in the tear trough using a fine needle or blunt cannula depending on anatomy. Product must be placed in the correct plane — typically deep, close to the periosteum — to avoid the Tyndall effect (bluish discolouration) that occurs with superficial placement in thin-skinned areas.
Realistic Results
Good tear trough filler fills the hollow, reduces shadow and creates a smoother lower eyelid-to-cheek transition. It does not remove pigment, eliminate fat pad bags or address thin skin. Duration: approximately 12–18 months in the tear trough.
Risks
The under-eye is a high-risk area for vascular occlusion, Tyndall effect, overfill and migration. These risks are significantly reduced by choosing an experienced injector with periorbital anatomy knowledge, using appropriate product selection and conservative volumes.
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WhatsApp +65 8023 7170Frequently Asked Questions
HA filler placed at the infraorbital rim to fill the tear trough groove that causes shadowing and a hollow appearance. Placed supraperiosteally at the orbital rim.
The tear trough is technique-sensitive. Risks include bruising, oedema and Tyndall effect. Dr Sin Yong uses small volumes, correct depth and careful aspiration.
Very small volumes — typically 0.3–0.6ml per side. Over-correction is a common pitfall, producing puffiness. A conservative approach reviewed at 4 weeks before any addition is always safer.
Yes — all HA tear trough fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. This reversibility is essential given the technique sensitivity of the periorbital area.