Under-Eye Botox & Eye Filler: Blepharoplasty vs Non-Surgical Alternatives
If you are worried about tired-looking eyes, wrinkles around the eye area or significant sagging or excess skin, the good news is you do have options. Temporary solutions such as under-eye filler and Botox can be effective in the short term, and blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure with results that can last decades or even be permanent.
Restoring youthfulness to the eye area is a question of matching the right treatment to your aesthetic goals. In this guide, we’ll discuss your options, what each treatment involves and the results you can expect.
Common cosmetic under-eye issues and their causes
The area around and under the eyes can be problematic as it is highly susceptible to the signs of ageing. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than other areas, making it fragile and prone to damage from environmental factors such as sun exposure and pollution.
As we age, the production of collagen, which gives the skin strength and structure, and elastin, which allows the skin to stretch and recoil back to its original shape, slows. As a result, the skin becomes less firm, supple and elastic. That can cause skin sagging, drooping, wrinkles, fine lines and eye folds.
Another change is the loss of fat in the area between the lower eyelid and cheek, which is known as the ‘tear trough’. As we age, the fat pads shrink and move downwards, creating hollows and depressions beneath the eyes that make the under-eye appear puffy and contribute to eye bags and dark circles. The lack of fat also makes the skin around the eyes less able to resist the effects of gravity, leading to sagging and drooping.
What impact can these cosmetic changes have?
Medically speaking, as long as the drooping or sagging skin does not affect the vision, it’s not something that needs to be addressed. However, aesthetically, under-eye wrinkles, folds and bags can create a tired, stressed and aged appearance, even when an individual is healthy and well-rested. Understandably, that can affect people’s confidence and make them feel self-conscious about their appearance.
The good news is surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments can address under-eye issues. Under-eye botox, eye filler and blepharoplasty can all conceal dark circles, reduce puffiness and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles to varying degrees. But which is the right option for you?
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is the medical term for eyelid surgery. It improves the appearance and contours of the upper and/or lower eyelid and is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic facial procedures for men and women. Upper eyelid surgery concentrates on the area between the eyelashes and eyebrow, while lower eyelid blepharoplasty targets between the lower eyelashes and cheek.
During lower eyelid blepharoplasty, slack muscles and tendons are tightened, fat is repositioned and excess skin is removed to create smooth and even contours and create a youthful and firm appearance. The results are dramatic, long-term and can be permanent, although you will continue to develop fine lines as you age.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is the more complex of the two procedures and is performed under general anaesthetic. It typically takes one to three hours, and patients can usually go home on the same day as the procedure.
Read more: Blepharoplasty: A guide to eyelid surgery
Can you get non-surgical blepharoplasty?
Surgery is not the only solution to lower eyelid issues. There are also non-surgical blepharoplasty alternatives, such as under-eye Botox and filler, that can have a similar but short-term effect.
Under-eye filler
Under-eye filler, also known as tear trough filler, is a quick and minimally invasive treatment. Dermal filler is applied to the tear trough area to restore lost volume, smooth the contours, resolve dark circles and balance puffy bags. The result is a more youthful under-eye area that appears naturally full and balanced.
Different dermal fillers can be used, but usually hyaluronic acid-based fillers are delivered via micro-injection into the tear troughs without any incisions. Unlike blepharoplasty, there’s very little recovery time, although there may be some swelling and redness for the first few days. The results typically last nine months to a year.
Under-eye Botox
Another non-surgical blepharoplasty alternative is under-eye Botox. It’s known as ‘jelly roll’ Botox because it relaxes the slight bulge of muscle under the eye that resembles a jelly roll and is visible when some people smile or squint.
By relaxing this muscle, Botox removes the bulge, creates a smoother skin surface and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It can also reduce puffy under-eye areas and conceal dark circles, although it’s not usually as effective as under-eye filler or blepharoplasty.
Although under-eye Botox can be a quick and effective treatment, it usually only lasts three to four months. After that point, you will need another injection to maintain the results. That makes it time-consuming and expensive if you’re looking for a long-term solution.
Blepharoplasty vs. under-eye fillers and Botox
The big question then is which is the right solution for you? Is it permanent lower eyelid surgery or one of the temporary non-surgical blepharoplasty alternatives? Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences.
Longevity
One of the key factors to consider is how long the effects last. If you want a one-off treatment for a special occasion like a wedding or holiday, under-eye Botox and fillers will provide the desired result and are more cost-effective. However, if you want a long-term solution, blepharoplasty is the best approach, as there’s no requirement for repeat procedures.
Cost
Under-eye filler in the UK costs between £500 and £1,500 per treatment, depending on the type of filler and amount used. Under-eye Botox averages £150 to £500, while at Enhance Medical, blepharoplasty costs from £4,295.
When weighing up the price, you should also consider the cost of maintaining the results if you want more youthful eyes for the long term. Financing options are available for blepharoplasty so you can spread the cost over a longer period.
Results
Under-eye Botox can be effective if you have mild to moderate wrinkles and are happy with a temporary solution. However, it is not the best option for eye bags.
If you have hollows or dark circles, under-eye filler is likely to be more effective. It restores volume in the tear trough area and plumps up the skin so the eye bags and dark shadows are no longer visible. Dermal filler also reduces the appearance of wrinkles under the eyes, but unlike Botox, it is more effective at addressing static rather than dynamic wrinkles.
If you have sagging or excess skin around the eyes, fine lines, wrinkles and eye bags, blepharoplasty provides the most dramatic transformation. It removes sagging skin, repositions fat pads and tightens the muscle to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, reduce bagginess and create a long-lasting youthful appearance.
Risks
The risks with all these treatments are minor, but complications can and do occur. As a form of surgery, blepharoplasty carries risks associated with bleeding and infections. A small proportion of people also have adverse reactions to anaesthesia. Your surgeon will always review your medical history to make sure you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure before they go ahead.
There are also a few side effects and risks associated with under-eye fillers. Many people experience redness, bruising and swelling that usually dissipates within a few days. There are also rarer side effects such as infection, allergic reaction, arterial occlusion and vision loss.
Like dermal filler, under-eye Botox can lead to bruising and swelling, but there are also risks associated with lower lid sagging and blinking issues. Other side effects include itching or tingling, headaches or flu-like symptoms, eye irritation and infection at the injection site.
Safe, affordable and high-quality blepharoplasty at Enhance Medical
Under-eye fillers, Botox and blepharoplasty all have their advantages and disadvantages. At Enhance Medical, we will discuss your goals and help you determine the right treatment plan. Find out more about cosmetic surgery, including blepharoplasty for men and women, and book a free consultation to start your journey towards a youthful and rejuvenated eye area.