Tear Trough Deformity (Hollowness or Dark Circles Beneath the Eyes)

Very often, the appearance of “dark circles” is actually the result of relative volume deficiency in the lower lid-cheek junction and not due excess darkness of the skin. This appearance may convey a sense of fatigue or aging which may be displeasing. Lower lid hollows, as they are sometimes referred to, may be present at a very young age due to particular anatomic variation of the face.

What are the Causes of Tear Trough Deformity?
While tear trough deformities can appear due to aging, some people have these defects even in their youth due to their facial bone structure. In other instances, it may be caused by a relative protrusion of the eye resulting in dark shadows forming in the lower lid region. In some cases, the dark circles are simply a result of excess pigmentation of the skin which can worsen with the sun exposure and age.

What are the Conservative Treatments for Tear Trough Deformity?
When provided by an experienced physician, conservative treatments can relieve the appearance of tear trough deformity quite effectively. These treatments are usually in the form of injectable fillers. Such fillers can provide much-needed volume to the face, and the effects may from months to years. You should note, however, that correcting a tear trough deformity is not a matter of simply having the filler injected. Your surgeon will need to be skilled at sculpting the filler and smoothing it effectively to match the contours of your face. For this reason, it is crucial that you choose a surgeon with specific experience in correcting tear trough deformities with injectable fillers.

What Surgical Treatments are Available for Tear Trough Deformity?
There are some cases where injectable fillers alone are not sufficient to resolve a tear trough deformity aesthetically. In such instances, a variety of procedures are available including fat grafting, placement of implants or soft tissue repositioning which can effectively address the anatomical basis of tear troughs. The choice of procedures involves a careful assessment of the risks-reward ratios associated with each intervention.