Since the eyes are one of the most important features of the face, it’s no surprise that the area under the eyes can draw a lot of attention, as well. Unfortunately, when the under-eyes attract attention, it’s often because they are dark, sunken, or baggy, which can make someone look tired or much older than his or her actual age. While there are numerous cosmetic options for concealing dark circles or hollows, more effective solutions are available in Los Angeles in the form of dermal fillers and even lower blepharoplasty surgery.
As an oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Dr. Taban is skilled at helping patients achieve a rejuvenated, youthful appearance through surgical and non-surgical techniques. To learn which under-eye treatment is best for your concerns, please don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills or Santa Barbara offices.
What Causes Dark Circles and Lower Eyelid Bags?
The skin surrounding the eyes is particularly delicate and can change over time as a result of diet, lifestyle, overall health, quality of sleep, and genetics. Some individuals are born with darker circles around their eyes, while others may naturally have sagging excess skin underneath their lower eyelids. Older people tend to develop fat bags and/or sunken hollows as the muscles around the eyes become weak and stretched over time or due to weight gain or volume loss in the face.
How to Correct Under-Eye Issues
It is possible to reduce the appearance of swelling, puffiness, and darkness under the lower eyelids with makeup or cool compresses, but for a longer-lasting solution, Dr. Taban recommends dermal fillers or a cosmetic surgical procedure called lower blepharoplasty.
Types of Dermal Fillers
Facial fillers are ideal for under eye bags treatment as they are great for restoring lost volume in the face using synthetic or natural substances that mimic the skin’s natural buoyancy or the patient’s own fat from fat grafts.
Injectable fillers can be safely injected into the soft tissue under the eyes as well as the upper cheeks to restore volume and even stimulate collagen production for longer-lasting plumpness. Popular dermal fillers, such as Restylane, use specific formulations of hyaluronic acid that are biocompatible with human skin, ensuring safe and comfortable use as an injectable.
With just a few strategically placed injections, facial fillers for under eye bags treatment can drastically reduce the gaunt or hollow under-eye areas that can make a person look significantly older. Lifting and plumping the skin can also minimize the appearance of dark circles while hydrating the skin. Read more about filler injections at WebMD.com.
Fat grafting essentially involves harvesting a small amount of fat from the patient’s body, such as the love handles or flanks, before processing it and injecting it into the desired area. This method is recommended for Los Angeles patients who want a more permanent result. Fat grafting, also known as lipo transfer, is permanent compared to other injectables, such as hyaluronic acid-based fillers.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
A lower blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a simple procedure that can be used to safely and effectively address under-eye bags or dark circles. During the procedure, excess skin and fat in the lower eyelids may be removed or repositioned to create a smooth flattering appearance. Dr. Taban in Los Angeles uses a special technique to hide any scar in the inner tissue of the eyelid (transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty) as well as to redistribute fatty tissue in this area to create more natural, youthful appearance. This technique ensures that the patient is not left with hollowness by simply removing tissue.
Which Undereye Treatment is Right for You?
The best undereye treatment for bags or dark circles will depend largely on the patient, which is why it is important to discuss your options with a Los Angeles board-certified oculoplastic surgeon, such as Dr. Taban. Both fillers and lower blepharoplasty procedures can be completed safely in-office under local anesthesia, but the duration of the results will vary depending on the filler or the technique. Surgery and fat grafts provide the most long-lasting solution for dark circles and sunken under-eyes, while fillers may only last about a year. No matter the choice, the goal needs to be more youthful, yet natural, results.
For healthy, rejuvenated, natural-looking eyes, it is best to work with a skilled oculoplastic surgeon, such as Dr. Taban. Without the experienced care and treatment of a board-certified professional in LA, you may not end up with the results you want.
Set Up a Consultation Today
A face-to-face consultation is essential for determining if you are a good candidate for rejuvenating your eyes with surgery or facial fillers. Please contact Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS in Beverly Hills (310-499-2565) or Santa Barbara (805-556-7099), California or contact us via our online contact form. Be sure to view our tips if you plan to travel from out of town or out of state to visit us in Los Angeles.