Introduction
The appearance of sunken tear troughs can make individuals look tired and older than their actual age. In New York City, there is a growing demand for doctors who can effectively fill the sunken tear troughs. This article will explore the details of tear trough fillers, introduce some well - known doctors in New York City for this procedure, and provide comprehensive information to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Tear Troughs and Tear Trough Fillers
What are Tear Troughs?
A tear trough is an anatomic area of the face, the hollow located between the upper cheek and the lower eyelid region. It can be genetic, or it may occur due to the natural loss of collagen as we age. Reduced collagen levels in the under - eye area lead to transparent, thin skin, increasing the visibility of underlying blood vessels and creating a darkened under - eye area, making one look tired or prematurely aged (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
What does Tear - Trough Filler do?
Tear trough fillers restore lost volume in the crease below the eye and improve the appearance of dark circles and under - eye bags. They work by injecting various hyaluronic dermal fillers, such as Belotero, Restylane, and Juvederm, to correct the tear trough deformity. These dermal fillers are designed to restore collagen production and replenish lost volume in the treatment area. When injected into the tear trough area, they reduce the appearance of dark circles and shadowing under the eyes (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Best Fillers for Tear Troughs
Dr. Green often uses hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm Volbella, Restylane, Restylane Eye Light, and Belotero Balance.
- Juvederm Volbella is the first FDA - approved dermal filler for treating tear troughs and contains the thinnest formulation of the Juvederm family. Its patented Vycross technology allows for a smooth and even distribution under the skin.
- Restylane Eyelight dermal filler is commonly used to improve the look of hollowing and under - eye bags. It was FDA - approved in 2023 for use under the eyes and uses crosslinking and patented NASHA technology to erase under - eye hollowing and dark circles caused by lost volume.
- Belotero Balance provides a soft and even correction in the skin and can eliminate the risk of the Tyndall effect, which is a bluish hue in the injected area due to the reflection of light off of particles suspended in the filler (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Good Candidates for Tear Trough Filler
The best candidate for dermal filler injections in the tear trough is a healthy individual with noted volume loss in the under - eye area. However, if there is excessive wrinkling or skin under the eyes with fat deposition, tear trough fillers may not be the best course of treatment. During a consultation with a doctor, a physical evaluation of the under - eye area will be conducted to determine if tear trough fillers are the correct treatment or if another cosmetic procedure is more suitable (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
The Procedure of Having Under - Eye Dermal Fillers
The first step is to consult with a doctor, such as Dr. Michele Green in her office on the upper east side of Manhattan. The doctor will evaluate the targeted treatment area and the skin’s elasticity, confirm if the patient is a good candidate for tear trough fillers, and determine the appropriate dermal filler product and the number of syringes required.
- A local anesthetic will be applied to the entire treatment area one hour before the injections to ensure comfort.
- The dermal fillers used are often compounded with lidocaine to make the process painless.
- The doctor will inject the dermal fillers directly into the skin in tiny amounts using an ultrafine needle.
- After the procedure, ice will be applied to the treatment area to prevent swelling, and aftercare instructions will be provided.
- A two - week follow - up appointment will be scheduled to ensure satisfactory treatment and determine if any touch - up is needed (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Safety of Tear Trough Filler
There typically are no major side effects associated with receiving under - eye fillers. However, mild swelling, bruising, redness at or around the injection sites are common. The Tyndall effect, a rare side effect, can lead to a bluish discoloration if the filler is injected too superficially. More serious side effects include changes in vision, vascular occlusion, signs of infection at injection sites, allergic reaction to the dermal filler product, worsening bruising or swelling, numbness, and persistent pain. To prevent these, it is crucial to have the injections performed by an expert, board - certified injector (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Ineffectiveness of Under - Eye Fillers
Under - eye fillers are ineffective for treating naturally darker skin pigmentation in the under - eye area. If the dark under - eye circles are due to skin pigmentation rather than the anatomy of the tear trough, using dermal fillers may emphasize the appearance of the dark circles. In addition, under - eye fillers are not effective for treating excessive skin laxity in the tear troughs and may even make the under - eye area look worse (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Under - Eye Filler vs. Blepharoplasty
Under - eye fillers are a non - invasive cosmetic procedure that uses dermal fillers to restore lost volume and correct hollowing in the under - eye area. They are not permanent, typically lasting 6 – 9 months, and have little side effects and downtime. Blepharoplasty is a type of plastic surgery that improves the appearance of the upper or lower eyelids by removing excess skin from the eyelids. It can correct excess skin, droopy eyelids, under - eye bags, puffiness, and dark circles. However, this surgical procedure involves making small incisions in the eyelid area and has long recovery times, surgical scars, and severe side effects. The choice between the two depends on an individual's cosmetic goals, skin condition, and willingness to undergo surgery (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Reversing Tear Trough Filler Treatment
The fillers used for tear troughs are usually composed of hyaluronic acid gel. If a patient is not satisfied with the results, the injector can reverse the effects of the filler treatment using a product called hyaluronidase, which contains the enzyme hyaluronidase that can dissolve unwanted facial filler products made of hyaluronic acid (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
How Long Tear Trough Filler Lasts and Its Cost
Dermal fillers typically last for six to twelve months, depending on the exact filler used and the patient's metabolism. The total cost of tear - trough filler treatment depends on several factors, such as the medical professional performing the procedure, the geographic location of the office, the type of filler used, and the amount of filler needed. Fillers usually cost $1000 or more per syringe (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Number of Syringes for Tear Trough Filler
Depending on an individual's specific facial anatomy and aesthetic goals, 1 - 2 syringes of tear trough filler may be needed for complete under - eye rejuvenation. Doctors often employ a “less - is - more” approach to avoid overfilling the delicate under - eye area (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Top Doctors for Filling Sunken Tear Troughs in New York City
Dr. Michele Green
Dr. Michele Green is a world - renowned expert in the field of cosmetic dermatology. With over 25 years of experience, she treats patients from around the globe for various skin concerns, including dark under - eyes. She is consistently rated as a top NYC dermatologist by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and The New York Times. Dr. Green offers a host of non - invasive cosmetic procedures, including under - eye fillers. She will assess the patient's under - eye hollows to choose the right filler and develop a customized treatment plan (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Dr. Kevin Tehrani
Dr. Kevin Tehrani is among the top 10 plastic surgeons in New York. He is renowned for his skillfulness in aesthetic plastic surgery. He believes that plastic surgery can be the ultimate expression of art in surgery and strives for exceptional care and results for his patients. Although the source doesn't specifically mention his expertise in tear trough fillers, his overall high - end plastic surgery skills may also extend to this area (Source: Dr. Kevin Tehrani is among the top 10 plastic surgeons in New York – Aristocrat Plastic Surgery).
Top Plastic Surgeons Ranked by Review Growth Index (RGI)
The Review Growth Index (RGI) by Doctor Marketing, MD analyzed over 17,000 + online patient reviews to identify the top 10 rated plastic surgery practices in New York in 2024 Q1.
Rank | Clinic Name | Reviews | Rating | Doctors |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York | 2572 | 4.9 | Dr. Lloyd Hoffman, Dr. Stelios Wilson |
2 | Lexington Plastic Surgeons | 865 | 4.2 | Dr. Michael Jones, Dr. Karan Mehta, Dr. Angel Farinas, Dr. Kayvan Ross Tin |
3 | Neinstein Plastic Surgery | 554 | 4.9 | Dr. Ryan Neinstein, Dr. Chris Funderburk, Dr. Anna Steve |
4 | Kassir Plastic Surgery | 487 | 4.6 | Dr. Ramtin Kassir, Dr. Philipp Franck |
5 | Anna Avaliani MD Cosmetic & Laser Surgery | 459 | 4.7 | Dr. Anna Avaliani |
6 | Dr. Mansher Singh, MD | 415 | 5 | Dr. Mansher Singh |
7 | Lara Devgan, MD, PLLC | 361 | 4.7 | Dr. Lara Devgan |
8 | Tal Dagan, MD, FACS | 329 | 4.8 | Dr. Tal Dagan |
9 | Madnani Facial Plastics | 272 | 5 | Dr. Dilip Madnani |
10 | Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery | 258 | 4.8 | Dr. Steven Pearlman |
Best Dermal Filler Doctors on Healthgrades
Healthgrades identified some best dermal filler doctors in New York.
- Dr. Adelle Quintana, MD: Rated 4.80 out of 5 stars.
- Dr. Hirshel Kahn, MD: Rated 4.70 out of 5 stars.
- Dr. Lindsey Bordone, MD: Rated 4.80 out of 5 stars.
- Dr. Rasa Zarnegar, MD: Rated 4.80 out of 5 stars, on staff at New York - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital.
- Dr. Brendan Finnerty, MD: Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, on staff at New York - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital.
- Dr. Jaimie Glick, MD: Rated 4.80 out of 5 stars.
- Dr. David Otterburn, MD: Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars.
- Dr. Jeffrey Weinberg, MD: Rated 4.80 out of 5 stars.
- Dr. Jeremy Brauer, MD: Rated 4.60 out of 5 stars.
- Dr. Gary Rothfeld, MD: Practice at 629 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065.
- Dr. Philip Torina, MD: Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars.
- Dr. Annemarie Ulia Sz, MD: Rated 4.60 out of 5 stars.
Complementary Treatments with Tear Trough Fillers
- Botox: It can soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, such as crow’s feet. Dr. Green often treats patients for tear troughs and crow’s feet in the same visit, using dermal filler and Botox to achieve total rejuvenation of the eye area.
- Microneedling: It uses a tool with tiny surgical - grade needles to create microscopic wounds on the skin surface. Through the natural wound - healing process, new skin cells, collagen, and elastin are produced, which helps to plump and firm the skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Combining it with platelet - rich plasma (PRP) can enhance the effects.
- Thermage: It is the gold standard in facial skin tightening. It uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production in the skin, especially in the delicate under - eye area. The results can last up to two years with a single treatment, and annual maintenance sessions are often chosen for better results.
- Chemical Peels: They can revitalize baggy or sagging skin under the eyes by removing dead skin cells on the superficial layer, allowing healthy new skin cells to be exposed and reducing fine lines and discoloration.
- Non - ablative Laser Resurfacing Treatments: Such as Fraxel and eMatrix, can tighten and firm wrinkly skin under the eyes and diminish the appearance of pigment discoloration with virtually no recovery time (Source: Tear Trough Fillers NYC - Restylane Fillers For Under Eye Area).
Conclusion
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