Eyelid fillers are a type of dermal filler that is applied to the eyelids. Like all dermal fillers, eyelid fillers can provide an added sense of volume and youthfulness to the area of the body in which they are applied.
Knowing the full suite of benefits that can come from receiving this type of treatment can help you determine whether or not it is right for you. This in turn can save you time and money in the long run.
If you’re wondering whether or not you should receive eyelid filler injection, take a look at this overview of some of the benefits of receiving this time of treatment.
What Are Eyelid Fillers?
Eyelid fillers are a subclass of dermal filler. These types of dermal fillers are particularly adept at enhancing the appearance of the eyelids and the areas surrounding the eyes. This makes them highly sought-after for those who are suffering from either aesthetic or medical issues of the eyes.
Reasons for and Benefits of Eyelid Fillers
Eyelid fillers can be applied for either aesthetic or medical reasons. Depending on the nature of the issue at hand, it may influence the exact type of filler that you receive. Some of the conditions that eyelid fillers can effectively treat include the following:
- Upper or lower eyelid hollowness
- Ptosis, or drooping eyelids
- Tear trough issues, including tear trough deformities
Applying fillers to the eyes for issues such as these can help to remedy some of the negative effects that they bring to the table, either in terms of how they affect one’s appearance or through the ways that they medically interfere with one’s life.
There are many different benefits that can be gleaned from a successful eyelid filler injection treatment. This includes things like the following:
- Improved appearance: Perhaps the primary benefit of receiving eyelid fillers is that the vast majority of patients will find that they have a much-improved appearance in the areas surrounding their eyes.
- Non-invasive: Eyelid fillers are considered a relatively non-invasive type of medical treatment, meaning that it is less restrictive in terms of who can receive treatment.
- Convenience: Filler injections can be completed quite quickly. Most patients will find that they are finished with their treatment in about 15-30 minutes.
- Long-Lasting: Most fillers are able to offer long-lasting results in terms of how long you can expect yours to last. Most patients can expect results to last at least one year.
In addition, if you are suffering from some type of medical issue that is impacting your ability to navigate everyday life, then fillers may offer a convenient solution to being able to navigate your day-to-day existence.
Types of Eyelid Fillers
Several different types of fillers are commonly employed. Each has its own sector of specialty in terms of its efficacy in dealing with certain medical conditions. The primary types of eyelid fillers that are currently available include:
- Hyaluronic Acid: These are the most common types of fillers that are utilized today. Many consider them to have a natural appearance, though the trade-off with these fillers is that they don’t tend to last as long as other fillers.
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite: Also known as Radiesse, this type of filler is able to stimulate collagen production and add volume.
- Poly-L-lactic Acid: This type of filler is a synthetic material that significantly stimulates collagen production. Its effects may appear more “synthetic” due to the nature of its materials.
- Fat Transfer: Fat transfer is perhaps the most natural appearing type of filler that can be used, as it literally uses the fat from a patient’s body for the purpose of the procedure. The fat is typically taken from areas of the body where donor fat is plentiful, like the abdomen, hip, buttocks, and thighs.
You and your physician will work together to determine which of the above fillers would work best for you in terms of your procedural goals and aesthetic ideas. In addition, elements of your health will be taken into consideration to determine what the safest path forward is for you.
What Occurs During Eyelid Filler Treatment?
Receiving eyelid fillers is, overall, a fairly rudimentary process. During your procedure, the following steps may be observed:
- The area surrounding your eyes is cleaned and prepared for the injections
- Your physician administers the injections in the target area of the procedure
- It is possible that multiple injections will take place
- Your physician cleans and continues to mold the area where the fillers have been applied
- The fillers are left to sit for approximately 10-20 minutes, after which the patient should be able to return home.
These are the primary steps of the eyelid filler treatment process. In addition, your physician may have additional advice for you in terms of managing your treatment site following the procedure.
If you are receiving a fat transfer filler, then you will first have to undergo liposuction treatment in the area of the body where the fat transfer has taken place. This may involve higher levels of medical evaluation prior to treatment to determine that you are fit to receive this type of procedure.
Recovering from Filler Treatment
There are some general steps that you can expect to experience following your procedure, despite the type of filler that you receive. In general, the following steps can be expected:
- After your procedure, your doctor will ask you to ice the area surrounding your eyes
- You may experience some redness, bruising, or swelling following your procedure
- You may experience some sensitivity to light following your procedure
- You may be advised to receive some follow-up appointments to determine whether or not you should receive additional filler work
There is some variability in terms of how long your results might last. In general, the longevity of the various fillers is outlined below:
- Calcium hydroxylapatite: Typically lasts for about 18 months
- Poly-L-lactic acid: For up to two years
- Hyaluronic acid fillers: Approximately one year
- Fat transfer: Up to three years
Some external circumstances may impact the overall longevity of your fillers, and they are not immune to the elements. For example, someone who works outside in the sun will likely find that their fillers do not last as long as others. This, in turn, may require someone to return to the clinic for repeat injections sooner than someone who is not exposed to as many environmental stressors. You should inform your physician if you think anything like that would apply to your circumstances.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Fillers?
Eyelid fillers are generally considered to be an effective form of treatment for those who are suffering from mild-to-moderate issues of the eyes. Some conditions may interfere with your ability to receive treatment, including:
- Being a current smoker
- Suffering from a chronic autoimmune disease
- Suffering from any type of serious debilitating disease, such as diabetes or cancer
- Excessive complications in the eyelid area
In addition, you should stay aware of some of the possible side effects and complications paired with this surgery. Some of the effects that almost every patient will experience include:
- Redness
- Puffiness
- Bruising
On top of this, there are some more serious side effects that can be experienced that should be taken note of, as they may indicate the presence of a medical emergency. Some of these side effects include:
- Scarring
- Blindness
- Nerve paralysis
- Bumps forming under the skin
- Unevenness in the eyes
If you experience any of the above side effects, you should contact your physician as soon as possible in order to avoid further complications.
Finding the Right Surgeon
Making sure that your doctor has board certification is the most crucial step in determining whether or not they are qualified to perform the surgery you desire.
Board-certified physicians are those who have earned accreditation from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). If they meet these qualifications, medical professionals are required to follow a stringent set of guidelines that ensure their safe practice of medicine.
These requirements comprise but are not restricted to:
- Acquired a medical degree and completed at least six years of surgical training
- Accomplished a three-year plastic surgery residency.
- Present proof that they have a track record of completing similar surgeries successfully
- Doing well on multiple challenging written and oral exams
- Receiving a medical degree from an accredited university.
- Completing the required annual CME
There are many different organizations that claim to have accredited physicians. However, you should only entrust your procedure to a physician who has accreditation from the ASPS, as this is considered the organization of note in the medical community.
The Best Eye Clinic in Los Angeles
Dr. Taban and the rest of the team at Taban MD run the best eyelid treatment center in Beverly Hills. If you’re interested in discussing with Doctor Taban the ins and outs of receiving eyelid fillers, contact our office today to discuss them.