Under-eye filler Tear trough filler with hyaluronic acid
A small amount of hyaluronic-acid gel, placed deep along the groove under the eye, can soften a hollow and the shadow it casts. It suits a true hollow, not puffy bags or brown circles; the change usually shows on the day and, in trials, often lasted a year.
Key facts
- Who you’ll see
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- Dr. Daria Banina Cosmetology
- Where
- CREAMÉ, 350 Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
- Session
- Assessment and photographs first, then the injections
- Numbing
- Many gels contain a local anaesthetic
- Downtime
- Bruising or swelling for up to a week, usually
- Course
- Usually one session; in trials, often lasted a year
What under-eye filler is used for
A hollow under the eye: the groove that runs down and out from the inner corner, casting a shadow that reads as a dark circle and makes you look tired even after a full night's sleep.
Who under-eye filler usually suits
- A hollow or groove under the eye that casts a shadow, most visible under overhead light.
- Skin under the eye that is not very thin or loose, with little or no puffiness.
- Women and men who want to look less tired, not different.
- Your first time, if you are happy to start with a small amount and come back for a review.
- Brown circles and puffy bags need a different plan, and crepey skin or fine lines may suit skin boosters or Volnewmer; if that is you, we'll say so.
Concerns it may help with
Related treatments
How under-eye filler works
A soft gel of hyaluronic acid, the water-binding molecule your body already makes, placed in tiny amounts deep under the groove, close to the bone, with a fine needle or a blunt cannula. It fills the hollow from beneath, so the shadow it casts softens. The skin here is thin and the gel attracts water, so the doctor uses very little and stays deep: too much, or gel too close to the surface, can look puffy or bluish. Like all hyaluronic-acid filler, it can be dissolved with an enzyme, hyaluronidase.
Under-eye (tear trough) filler for dark circles: hollow, bags or pigment?
Dark circles have three common causes, and filler helps only one. A shadow from a hollow softens when the hollow is filled. Brown circles from pigment keep their colour, because filler does not lighten skin. Bags of fat that bulge forward, or puffiness that comes and goes with sleep and salt, can look heavier after filler, because the gel holds water. A simple clue: stretch the skin gently; a shadow fades, pigment stays.
A review of tear trough treatment describes who tends to do well: thicker, smooth skin, a clearly defined hollow and small fat pads under the eye. It advises caution with festoons and lymphoedema, the kinds of swelling that hyaluronic acid can make worse, and after lower-eyelid surgery. The groove often reflects lost support in the cheek, so the doctor may suggest supporting the cheek first, with dermal fillers, and then judge what the groove still needs.
How much under-eye filler: how many ml for the tear troughs?
Very little. A review of techniques describes most people needing about 0.2 to 0.3 ml under each eye, within a range of about 0.1 to 0.45 ml, placed in tiny amounts. Clinics often count filler in syringes, but under the eyes the amount is usually a fraction of a syringe, so ask how many ml are planned.
In trials the amount varied with the hollow: in one, 3D imaging measured about 0.7 to 0.8 ml of added volume under each eye a year later. We start with less and decide any top-up at the review, once the swelling has gone, because overfilling is what makes under-eye filler look puffy.
First time with under-eye (tear trough) filler: what happens, does it hurt, and how to prepare
The first visit starts with the mirror: the doctor looks at your eyes in different light, stretches the skin gently and asks about morning puffiness, allergies, sleep and any filler you have had before. If filler suits you, you hear the plan in ml, the risks and the alternatives before you decide. It stings a little: small pricks and pressure, eased by the local anaesthetic in many gels.
For about a week before, skip non-essential fish oil, vitamin E, aspirin and similar painkillers, if your own doctor agrees; never stop a prescribed medicine without asking the doctor who prescribed it. Come without eye make-up. Leave at least two weeks before a wedding, a trip or Eid, a month if you can, so any bruise has faded and there is time for the review.
Under-eye and tear trough filler for men
Men come for the same reason, a tired look that sleep doesn't fix, and the steps are the same. The aim is to soften the hollow without rounding the area: an expert consensus notes that too much volume in the middle of a man's face makes it look more feminine, so the plan stays conservative. Without make-up to cover it, a bruise shows more, so allow a few days before work or meetings that matter.
A session, step by step
- We start with your concern and your eyes: in different light, at rest and smiling, with a gentle stretch of the skin to tell a hollow from pigment or puffiness, and photographs in the same light each time.
- Then your health, medicines, allergies, and any filler or eyelid procedure you have had. If filler suits you, the plan comes in ml, with the risks; you sign a written consent and make-up is cleansed off.
- The gel goes in deep, close to the bone, in tiny amounts, through a fine needle or a blunt cannula, while the doctor watches the skin for any change in colour.
- The doctor checks the result with you sitting up, goes through aftercare and what to watch for, and books your review two to four weeks later.
What to expect
How it feels
Small pricks and a feeling of pressure close to the eye. Many filler gels contain a local anaesthetic, lidocaine, and in a trial of under-eye filler the average pain score was below 2 out of 10. The area can feel tender for a few days.
Downtime and recovery
Usually little, though bruising is more common under the eye than on most of the face: in one trial, about four in ten people had some bruising or swelling, most of it gone within a week. Plan a quiet day, and leave at least two weeks before an event.
How many sessions, and how often
Usually one session, with a review two to four weeks later and a small top-up then if needed. In a trial of 333 people, nearly two in three still had a softer hollow a year later without a top-up, and a review of tear trough treatment describes results lasting up to 12 to 15 months.
Under-eye filler results: what changes, and when
- On the day The hollow usually looks softer straight away, under some swelling. Most people go back to their day, with no hard exercise for 24 hours.
- The first two days Swelling and bruising, if they come, are usually most noticeable now, and the area can feel tender. Sleep on your back rather than face-down.
- The first week Most bruising and swelling settles within a week. The area can look a little full or uneven while it does, so it is too early to judge.
- Two to four weeks The review: the result is judged once the swelling has gone, and a small top-up is added only if it is needed.
- About a year The gel fades gradually. In one trial, nearly two in three people still had a softer hollow at twelve months; you can top it up as it fades, or let it go.
Who it may not suit
We go through your health and medicines first, because under-eye filler may not suit you, or may need to wait, if any of these apply:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding: we wait.
- There is an infection, a stye, a rash or an active cold sore near the area, or you are unwell with a cold or flu: we wait until it has cleared.
- Your under-eye area is mainly puffy: bags of fat that bulge forward, puffiness that comes and goes, or festoons, folds of swelling over the cheekbone. Filler can make these look heavier.
- The skin under the eye is very thin, loose or deeply wrinkled, or the darkness is brown pigment: filler is unlikely to help.
- You are allergic to lidocaine, which many gels contain, or have had a severe allergic reaction.
- You have had lower-eyelid surgery, or have filler under the eyes that does not dissolve or whose type you don't know: tell us, as it changes the plan.
- You take blood thinners or supplements such as fish oil or vitamin E: tell us, and never stop a prescribed medicine without asking the doctor who prescribed it.
- You are flying out within three days: plan the session for when you will be in Dubai, in case you need us.
Risks and side effects of under-eye filler
Common and short-lived: swelling and bruising. In a pooled analysis of 31 studies of tear trough filler, each affected about one person in five, and redness about one in fourteen; in a trial with close follow-up, some bruising, swelling or tenderness was recorded in four or five people in ten, most of it gone within a week.
Less common: small lumps or unevenness, in about one person in twenty, and a bluish tint where gel sits too close to the surface, in about one in a hundred; both can usually be corrected by dissolving the gel. Overfilling can leave a puffiness that comes and goes, and in a few people swelling started weeks later, settling within days to weeks.
Rare but serious: gel blocking a blood vessel, which can damage the skin and, very rarely, sight. In a review of published cases of vision loss after filler, most followed injections around the nose, between the brows and on the forehead, but the area around the eye lies close to the same vessels, which is why the gel goes in slowly, deep and in tiny amounts.
How it is managed: the enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid is kept on site and given straight away if a vessel is blocked. When it is used to correct a lump, a small skin test usually comes first, as the enzyme can rarely cause an allergic reaction.
Aftercare
- For the first 24 hours: no hard exercise, sauna or steam.
- Keep make-up off the area for the rest of the day, and use clean fingers or a fresh sponge when you start again.
- For a week, don't rub or massage under the eyes unless the doctor asks you to, and sleep on your back rather than face-down.
- Stay out of strong sun while any bruise lasts: in the Dubai summer, sunglasses and shade.
- Come back at two to four weeks: the result is judged once the swelling has gone.
- Contact us straight away, or get urgent medical care, if pain grows instead of easing, the skin turns pale, grey or blotchy, or your vision changes in any way.
How pricing works
We don't publish prices. The cost depends on how much filler your eyes need, usually a small amount, and on whether the cheek is part of the plan, which we decide together at the consultation. You know the full plan, in ml, and its cost before you start.
Doctors who do under-eye filler
Under-eye filler here is done by Dr. Daria Banina, whose facial contouring includes the tear troughs. The doctor who assesses you is the doctor who treats you.
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Dr. Daria Banina
Cosmetology · In cosmetology since 2014
Facial contouring: Hyaluronic-acid filler for the cheekbones, jawline, tear troughs, forehead, temples and neck
Our take
Under the eye, restraint is the skill: the right amount is usually smaller than people expect.
Many dark circles are not a hollow, and filler placed under puffy bags or over brown pigment can make them look worse. So the first question is which kind you have; if filler isn't the answer for your eyes, we'll tell you, and what may help instead.
Questions people ask
Where can I get under-eye (tear trough) filler in Dubai: which clinic, and who will treat me?
At CREAMÉ, our villa at 350 Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, open every day from 9:00 to 21:00. Under-eye filler here is done by Dr. Daria Banina, a doctor trained in dermatovenereology and in cosmetology since 2014, whose facial contouring includes the tear troughs. Wherever you go, look for a doctor licensed by the Dubai Health Authority who examines your eyes before suggesting filler and keeps the enzyme that dissolves it on site.
What is under-eye filler, and is it the same as tear trough filler?
Yes, two names for the same treatment: a small amount of hyaluronic-acid gel placed deep along the tear trough, the groove that runs down from the inner corner of the eye. It fills the hollow from beneath, so the shadow it casts softens. It is not a cream or a skin booster, and it does not change the colour of the skin.
How much does under-eye (tear trough) filler cost in Dubai?
We don't publish prices. The cost depends on how much gel your eyes need, usually a small amount, and on whether the cheek is part of the plan. You know the plan, in ml, and its cost before you start.
How long does under-eye (tear trough) filler last, and how many sessions will I need?
Usually one session, with a review two to four weeks later and a small top-up then if needed. In a trial of 333 people, nearly two in three still had a softer hollow a year later without a top-up, and after a top-up at a year, about eight in ten did at eighteen months. It fades gradually; you can top it up or let it go.
Under-eye (tear trough) filler before and after: what results, and when?
We describe results rather than show photographs. The hollow usually looks softer on the day, under some swelling, and as the shadow lightens you tend to look less tired. Bruising or swelling, if it comes, usually settles within a week, and the result is judged at two to four weeks. In two trials, more than eight in ten people treated had a visibly improved hollow at three months, against fewer than two in ten who were not treated.
Under-eye (tear trough) filler side effects: lumps, migration, or filler gone wrong?
Swelling and bruising are the usual ones, each in about one person in five across 31 studies, and they usually settle within a week or two. Less often: lumps, in about one in twenty, a bluish tint, in about one in a hundred, or puffiness from too much gel or gel that has moved, which can usually be corrected by dissolving it. Rarely, gel blocks a blood vessel, which needs treatment at once.
Does under-eye (tear trough) filler help dark circles and eye bags?
Dark circles from a hollow, often yes: the shadow softens. Brown circles from pigment, no: filler does not lighten skin. Puffy bags, usually not, and filler can make them look heavier. Many people have more than one kind, so the doctor works out yours first, with a gentle stretch of the skin and a look in different light.
Does under-eye (tear trough) filler hurt, and what is the downtime?
It can sting a little: small pricks and pressure, and in a trial the average pain score was below 2 out of 10. Many gels contain a local anaesthetic. Downtime is usually a quiet day; bruising and swelling are more common here than on most of the face and usually settle within a week. No hard exercise for 24 hours, and no rubbing for a week.
Under-eye (tear trough) filler benefits and reviews: is it worth it, and who is it not for?
It is most likely to be worth it with a true hollow under reasonably thick skin and little puffiness: across 31 studies, about nine in ten people were satisfied. It is less likely to help, and may look worse, if the darkness is pigment, the eyes are puffy or the skin is very thin and loose. Then we'll tell you so, and what may suit you instead.
Under-eye (tear trough) filler for men: does it work, and does it look natural?
Yes, on the same terms: a true hollow and little puffiness. The steps are the same, and the plan stays modest, because too much volume in the middle of a man's face can look feminine, an expert consensus notes. A bruise shows more without make-up, so leave a few days before work or meetings, and two weeks before an event.
Can under-eye filler be dissolved if I don't like it?
Yes. Hyaluronic-acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme, hyaluronidase, usually within a day or two. Unless it is urgent, a small skin test comes first, as the enzyme can rarely cause an allergic reaction. Filler dissolving has its own page.
Can under-eye filler cause blindness?
Vision loss after filler is rare but real, and the area around the eyes lies close to the vessels involved, so it is taken seriously. In a review of 48 published cases, most followed injections around the nose, between the brows and on the forehead. Slow, deep injection of tiny amounts lowers the risk, and the enzyme that dissolves the gel is kept on site. Any change in vision after filler is an emergency: get urgent care at once, and call us.
What aftercare does under-eye (tear trough) filler need, day by day?
On the day, no hard exercise, sauna or steam, and no make-up on the area. For the first week, don't rub or massage under the eyes, and sleep on your back. Bruising and swelling, if they come, are most noticeable in the first two days and mostly settle within a week; stay out of strong sun while a bruise lasts. The review is at two to four weeks. If pain grows, the skin turns pale or blotchy, or your vision changes, get urgent care and call us.
Can I have under-eye (tear trough) filler during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No: we wait. Filler has not been studied in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and an expert consensus advises deferring treatment until afterwards. If you are planning a pregnancy, tell the doctor, since the gel lasts for months.
Which dermal filler is good for under the eyes and the tear troughs?
There is no single right gel. What matters is a soft hyaluronic-acid filler suited to a delicate area, placed deep and sparingly by a doctor who has checked that your darkness is a hollow. Hyaluronic acid is the usual choice here because it can be dissolved; ask which gel is planned, and how much, in ml.
Sources
- Liu X, Gao Y, Ma J, Li J. The efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid injection in tear trough deformity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2024;48(3):478–490.
- Fabi S, Zoumalan C, Fagien S, Yoelin S, Sartor M, Chawla S. A prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized, controlled study of VYC-15L, a hyaluronic acid filler, in adults for correction of infraorbital hollowing. Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(11):NP1675–NP1685.
- Biesman BS, Green JB, George R, et al. Multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blinded study to examine the safety and effectiveness of hyaluronic acid filler in the correction of infraorbital hollows. Aesthet Surg J. 2024;44(9):1001–1013.
- Sharad J. Dermal fillers for the treatment of tear trough deformity: a review of anatomy, treatment techniques, and their outcomes. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2012;5(4):229–238.
- Goodman GJ, Liew S, Callan P, Hart S. Facial aesthetic injections in clinical practice: pretreatment and posttreatment consensus recommendations to minimise adverse outcomes. Australas J Dermatol. 2020;61(3):217–225.
- Beleznay K, Carruthers JDA, Humphrey S, Carruthers A, Jones D. Update on avoiding and treating blindness from fillers: a recent review of the world literature. Aesthet Surg J. 2019;39(6):662–674.
- Sundaram H, Liew S, Signorini M, et al. Global Aesthetics Consensus: hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin type A—recommendations for combined treatment and optimizing outcomes in diverse patient populations. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;137(5):1410–1423.
Updated 31 October 2026