Tear Trough Restylane Injections

Tear Trough Restylane Injections

This relatively new very popular non-surgical treatment is appropriate for some patients with lower eyelid dark circles/dark hollows (also referred to as “tear troughs” or "tear trough defects"). In the lower eyelid a weakening of the orbital septum, and in the cheek area (the “mid-face”) a loss of soft tissue volume, tend to accentuate the appearance of the lower bony orbital margin which lies between the lower eyelid and the cheek. This also leads to the appearance of lower eyelid fat pockets and together these can lead to a “tear trough” depression, or dark eyelid shadow or hollow eyelid.

Click here to watch a short video of a patient undergoing tear trough rejuvenation treatment This shows how this is undertaken without the use of any needles close to the eye.

The tear trough is a specialised area of the face. You should not entrust such injections to the non-expert.

Tear Trough Restylane Injections

Not all patients who complain of lower eyelid dark circles or dark hollows are suitable for surgical improvement, usually in the form of a lower eyelid blepharoplasty or eye bag removal. The use of Restylane injections offers some patients a less invasive alternative treatment for their problem. Some patients also benefit from Restylane Sub-Q injections or Emervel Volume injections which help to restore a youthful shape to the face by filling the inner and outer part of the upper cheeks.

Although the use of Restylane as a soft tissue filler in other areas of the face is very well established and associated with high patient satisfaction, their use for the management of “tear troughs” and, with Restylane Sub-Q or Emervel Volume, the management of a loss of soft tissue volume in the mid-face is proving to be a very good new application for many patients. The effects of the injections last approximately 6-12 months before repeat injections are required. The treatment is undertaken as an outpatient procedure that offers immediate cosmetic results, a reduced risk of complications that are associated with surgery and a very short recovery period.

Restylane can also be injected as a trial treatment without removing the option of surgery at a later stage. It can also be used for patients who have previously undergone cosmetic eyelid surgery and have some residual hollowing of the lower eyelids.

The treatment is associated with mild discomfort and a short "down time". The injections also contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, which helps to minimise any discomfort. Bruising and swelling usually take a few days to subside. Occasional contour irregularities can occur following the injections. These are managed with massage after applying Auriderm skin cream or Restylane skin cream - (http://www.faceandeyeshop.co.uk/product_list.cfm?id=25).

If a patient is dissatisfied with the results, the Restylane or Juvéderm can be dissolved with the use of a small injection of Hyalase (an enzyme commonly used in local anaesthetic solutions given around the eye in patients undergoing cataract surgery). This is generally safe to use although there is a very small risk of an allergic reaction with the use of this enzyme.

Tear trough rejuvenation is now usually undertaken using a specially designed blunt-tipped cannula  (the TSK micro cannula), avoiding the use of needles for injection.

The TSK Micro Cannula

The introduction of the TSK range of Micro Cannulas for tear trough Restylane injections offers the advantages of reduced discomfort, fewer needle-associated complications and a shorter recovery period when compared with a standard needle injection technique. Whereas a needle may pierce delicate structures (such as blood vessels) the TSK cannula has a blunt tip that will push these structures to one side without injury to them as it is advanced.

The TSK cannula is designed to deliver hyaluronic acid filler (Restylane) smoothly and evenly. This reduces the chance of a lumpy appearance because the delivery is more precise and well controlled. The risk of lumpiness, bleeding (haematoma) and injection into a blood vessel in the tear trough area is much reduced.

On the rare occasion that a patient is unhappy with the results, the filler can be dissolved away with the use of a small injection of Hyalase (an enzyme commonly used in local anaesthetic solutions given around the eye in patients undergoing cataract surgery).

This treatment has proved popular with both men and women of ages ranging from 21 to 55 years of age. A consultation is important to ascertain a patient’s suitability for this treatment. In the hands of an experienced oculoplastic surgeon, the risks and potential complications are very small but these must be considered carefully following a discussion at a consultation before proceeding with the treatment.

It is always preferable not to plan the treatment on the same day as the consultation but to have time to reflect on the discussions first and return for the treatment on a separate occasion.

Tear Trough Restylane Injections

In order to minimize the risk of bruising it is advisable to discontinue the use of Aspirin, Anadin or any anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Voltarol, for 2 weeks before treatment provided it is medically safe to do so (please discuss this with your GP or physician if in doubt about this). It is quite in order to take Paracetamol and Codeine before this treatment.

Excessive bruising can lead to staining of the Restylane gel in the lower eyelids and a blue discolouration of the skin. This occurs rarely but is the reason why it is important to avoid medications which predispose to bruising. Bluish discolouration can also occur in some patients in the absence of bruising.

You will visit the clinic to have a preoperative consultation with your surgeon. This usually lasts approximately 30 minutes. You will be asked to complete a healthcare questionnaire, providing information about:

• Your specific aims
• Your current and past general health
• Any previous eye, eyelid or facial surgery or treatments including refractive surgery or laser eye surgery
• Any past dermatology history e.g. cold sores, eczema, rosacea, skin cancer
• Any history of a dry eye problem
• Any contact lens wear
• Any previous non-surgical aesthetic treatments e.g. Botox injections, dermal fillers injections, the use of IPL or laser treatments
• Any allergies
• Any medications you take (including over the counter products e.g. Aspirin, Indomethacin, Nurofen, Diclofenac or vitamin supplements)
• Any history of smoking

It is very helpful if you have old photographs which you can bring along to the consultation. If you are happy to email us digital photographs of your current appearance in advance of the consultation with details of your concerns, this is also enormously helpful and saves time. Your photographs will be kept confidential and will form part of your clinical record.

• Please answer all questions completely and honestly as they are asked only for your own wellbeing, so that your cosmetic surgery can be planned as carefully as possible. The information is treated confidentially. If you are unsure of the names of any medications, bring them with you.
• Your vision in each eye is measured. Your eyes are examined carefully using a slit lamp (a special ophthalmic microscope).

• The rest of your face is then examined. The general state of your skin is assessed and photographs of your face and eyelids are taken before surgery so that the results of surgery can be compared with the original appearance. The photographs are confidential and can only be used for any purpose other than your own records with your specific written permission.
• All our patients are provided with a detailed report following a consultation. This summarises the consultation, the recommendations and also the preoperative and postoperative requirements.

Tear Trough Restylane Injections

What are the possible complications of tear trough injections?

Most complications of the treatment are minor and are amenable to successful treatment.

Complications from tear trough injections include:

• Infection
• Bruising and swelling of the eyelids or the upper cheeks
• Redness of the eyelids
• Tenderness
• Contour irregularities
• Very rare: a localized allergic reaction in the form of firm swelling at the injection site. This has been seen in approx 1:10,000 patients, and may occur a few days up to several weeks after the injection. They may last a couple of weeks up to several months in rare instances. Prolonged firmness, abscess, formation, scarring, or a grey discolouration may occur in less than 1:15,000 cases, lasting several months.
• Damage to the eye or eyesight including blindness from this procedure is an extremely remote risk in the hands of a specialist oculoplastic surgeon. All precautions are taken to minimize such a risk including the use of the TSK cannula wherever possible.
• Blue discolouration over the injections can occur in some patients.
• Further treatment. Further injections within the first 1-2 weeks to address any asymmetries or undercorrection may be required.

What is the post treatment care?

After the injections it is advisable to avoid rubbing the eyes, lifting weights or straining for a few days. Vigorous gym workouts should also be avoided for a few days.

Make up should be avoided for 48 hours.

It is helpful to apply Auriderm cream or Restylane cream to the tear trough areas and to undertake gentle side to side massage twice a day for a week. This can be purchased from Face & Eye or online from the clinic’s online shop (www.faceandeyeshop.co.uk).

You are advised to sleep with the head raised approximately 30 degrees to help to minimize any eyelid swelling.

Contact lenses can still be worn following this type of treatment.

Click here for further information about the cost of tear trough rejuvenation injections.