Tear trough rejuvenation is a relatively new treatment that is used to improve the appearance of dark circles or dark hollows underneath the eyes which appear in some people.

Dark shadows or hollows under the eyes, also known as tear trough defects, as they follow an arc shape starting from the corner of the eye where the tear duct is, tend to be accentuated by a weakening of the orbital septum (a membrane under the skin) and a loss of soft tissue in the cheek area. These features can also lead to the appearance of lower eyelid fat pockets if fat herniates through the membrane. Traditionally, these problems are addressed with surgical treatments such as lower eyelid blepharoplasty or eye bag removal, but this type of surgery is more invasive, making it an unsuitable choice of treatment for some people.

Tear trough injections are an alternative to this more invasive treatment. The procedure involves a dermal filler product being injected into the deep part of the tear trough. The filler will plump out the hollow underneath the eyes, making it appear flatter and smoother. Topical anaesthetics can be applied to the area before the injection if required, although many products come with local anaesthetics within the formulation, and recovery time is minimal – you can go right back to work after the procedure. Healing time is also minimal and no special after-care is required, aside from normal hygiene precautions. Some side effects can be expected, such as bruising and redness, but these tend to subside within days to a week.