Restylane for Under the Eyes Bellevue & Seattle

Volume changes play a huge role. As you age, you lose bony, fat, and connective tissue such as collagen and elastin. It happens under the eyes and results in a double contour deformity. The orbital fat in the lower eyelid appears to be protruding, and the cheek seems to be drooping. This is compounded and may be due to tissue lost between the eyelid fat and the droopy cheek. In the past, the solution was to remove the orbital fat in the lower eyelid. It decreased the superior bulging contour in the lower eyelid. This was a method that allowed the lower eyelid area to be more level with the orbital rim and created a more gradual transition to the lower cheek.

Although the results were decent, there were a lot of complications with this procedure: eyelids that were pulled down, a hollow look, an operated look, and an older and less natural appearance. This approach with the lower eyelift has been considered less than ideal, even if it works in certain situations. But the lower eyelid lift is not the ideal procedure for lower eyelid bags and hollows, and does not really reverse what occurred during the aging process. Fillers and volumizing options have taken a bigger role in the aging of the lower eyelid area.

Collagen was the main filler for a long time, but it lacks longevity and requires a skin allergy test. Restylane and hyaluronic fillers have been shown to provide better and longer results. The results for Restylane are good for six months to a year, longer than the one to three months range for collagen. The longevity of Restylane has caused an explosion in the use of fillers. Other hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvéderm and Perlane have become more popular. Juvéderm can last up to a year. Perlane has been touted to last a little longer than Restylane. In general, they all last around six months to a year.

Juvéderm, Restylane, and Perlane are all hyaluronic acids, complex sugar and protein molecules that resemble a wire brush. Each of the “wires” attracts a lot of water. When the molecules are injected into the tissues, volume is created in the tissues. We have the same hyaluronic acid as bacteria, meaning the sugar and protein are almost unchanged from bacteria to us. This is how the hyaluronic acids are created. Bacteria make the product that is processed by the manufacturers into a very safe product.

More recently, the plastic surgery industry has found that hyaluronic acids injected into the lower eyelid hollows last longer than originally expected. This impact has been felt in other areas of the face. Some practitioners have experienced some amazing results that have lasted for more than two years in the under-eye area. This is great news for people with lower eyelid hollows and bags. There have been other improvements centered on fillers in the under-eye area. Some doctors are using larger cannulas to avoid bruising, and employ this technique the same way as a fat injection in the face has been done in the past. Some surgeons use smaller needles (smaller than 28-gauge needles) to treat the more superficial areas and avoid small lumps. Botox weakens the muscles to prevent Restylane from metabolizing, to promote a longer-lasting effect from fillers.

The use of Botox two weeks before Restylane has been known to extend the longevity of the filler. Avoiding regional anesthesia has been another way to avoid the additional bruising and swelling that lidocaine can cause when it is injected into the inferior orbital nerve. It can cause a nerve block to a region that is innervated by the inferior orbital nerve. The biggest alternative is using topical in its stead. More clinicians are using larger volumes in the lower eyelid area and the surrounding cheek area. For longer-lasting results, consider the use of the YoungVitalizer or fat injections under the eye. The results from these procedures can take many years, as much as 12 years. You will likely look better with a YoungVitalizer, fat injection, or filler like Restylane. We want the best for you. Dr. Young always maintains an open-door policy to help people. You are always welcome to email or call our office anytime for help.