Dr. Dean Kane Q & A.
Q. Are under eye filler/Botox/Restylane permanent? If not, how long does it last? I'm thinking about getting my under eye bags/dark circles done. The dark circles under my eyes constantly make me look tired. I want to know if injections is something you do once or if I will have to keep getting injections.
A. Pigmentation or dark circles under the eyelid may come from any combination of the following.
1. Eyelid bags and laxity with shadowing
2. Cheek laxity and shadowing
3. Thin eyelid skin with a reflection of the underlying muscle
4. Eyelid veins.
5. A separation of the eyelid structures from the sagging cheek structures
6. Pigmentation and fine lines
Many options are available depending on the problem above.
1. Eyelid lift
2. Injection of fillers, either into the skin or deep under the fat for volumizing using Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Voluma or fat
3. Vein ablation
4. Mid-face lift, a lift of all the structures of the cheek with a eyelid lift
5. Facelift
6. Exfoliation, ZO Therapeutic Skin Health
No option is permanent as the body continues to age. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages and must be weighed upon your findings at consultation with a well experienced, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Facial ENT and / or Ophthalmologist.
Botox, Dysport and any other muscle relaxers will last on average 3-4 months and worsen bags and dark circles if you are not the right candidate.
Hyaluronic acid gel fillers may also worsen eye bags and shadowing if not performed correctly. Depending on the "linking" of the molecule, HA's are rated to last 6-24 months.
Surgery maybe the best option in the correctly selected patient but may have a longer recovery.
I hope this has been helpful.
All the best!
