Do you recognize that? You feel rested, but the shadows and hollows under your eyes still make you look tired. Under-eye fillers, also called a tear trough treatment, can softly fill that hollow so your gaze appears fresher. On this page, you can honestly read what to expect before and after the treatment: who it's suitable for and not suitable for, how it goes with Dr T., and when the result becomes visible. Subtle and respectful, as it should be.
The hollow between your lower eyelid and your cheek, the tear trough, can deepen over the years. This casts a shadow under your eye and makes you look tired, even if you're not. A hyaluronic acid filler gently fills that hollow, making the transition from eyelid to cheek smoother.
The effect is mainly a more relaxed, more open look. The dark shadow lessens because there is less depth to catch the light. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally occurring in the body that binds moisture, so it works naturally with your tissue.
Important to know: under-eye fillers fill a hollow; they do not bleach pigment. If you mainly have brown or purple discoloration without a real hollow, a filler is often not the right solution. We discuss this honestly during your consultation.
This treatment suits those with a clear hollow or tear trough, with a shadow that makes you look tired. Often these are people who are rested but don’t look it, or those whose hollow has increased over the years.
The treatment is less suitable for severely swollen or puffy lower eyelids, loose skin with a lot of fluid retention, or dark circles that consist solely of pigment or thin skin. Also, if you have a strong tendency to retain fluid, caution is needed, because hyaluronic acid attracts moisture and the swelling may then increase.
The under-eye area is delicate and vulnerable. That's why this truly is a treatment where experience and an honest assessment count. If Dr T. judges that a filler will not give a beautiful or safe result here, he'll say so, and we'll look together at whether there is a better approach.
Everything starts with a consultation. Dr T. examines the area around your eyes, listens to what bothers you, and assesses whether the hollow is suitable for a filler. Sometimes a small amount in the tear trough is enough, sometimes an approach to the broader cheek area is more appropriate to create a natural transition.
The treatment itself is done very precisely, often with a fine cannula to spare the delicate area and limit bruising. A numbing agent or cooling provides comfort. The injection or placement moments are brief, and you mainly feel some pressure.
Afterwards, you'll receive clear aftercare advice: don't rub the area, take it easy with sports and sauna for a while, and be patient while any swelling subsides. Want to know if your under-eyes are suitable? Feel free to schedule a consultation, and we'll calmly look at it together.
Immediately after the treatment, you usually see a fuller, smoother transition under the eye. However, that's not yet your final result. The first few days there may be slight swelling or a bruise, and the hyaluronic acid still needs to settle into the tissue.
The most beautiful before-and-after effect is usually assessed only after about two weeks, once the swelling is gone and the filler has settled. Then you see the real difference: a more relaxed look, less shadow, and a fresher appearance that still feels like yourself.
How long the result lasts varies per person and depends on your skin, lifestyle, and the product used. In the under-eye area, the filler is often broken down slowly. During follow-up, we'll together assess when a possible touch-up is needed.
The most common reactions are temporary and mild: slight swelling, redness, tenderness, or a bruise at the injection site. These usually disappear within a few days to a week.
Specifically for the under-eye area, there is a risk of longer-lasting swelling or a slight bluish haze (the Tyndall effect) if the filler is placed too superficially. That's why Dr T. deliberately works carefully here and in the correct layer. A major advantage of hyaluronic acid is that it can be dissolved with an enzyme if the result is less than ideal.
Rare but more serious risks, such as a vascular problem, require anatomical knowledge and alertness. A doctor who knows the area well and intervenes when in doubt is your best protection here. Honest advice and safety always come first with Dr T., even if that means we do not perform the treatment.
The price of under-eye fillers depends on a number of things: how much product is needed, whether we treat only the tear trough or also the adjacent area, and what your under-eyes specifically require. That's why we don't just name a fixed amount.
During the consultation, Dr T. assesses your situation and you'll get an honest estimate of what a beautiful, natural result realistically costs. This way you know upfront what to expect, without surprises.
Are you unsure whether your under-eyes qualify? That's exactly what a consultation is for. We'll look together at whether a filler is the right choice, or whether a different approach suits you better.
Schedule a personal consultation with Dr T.
Make an appointmentMany people think under-eye fillers are immediately noticeable, but in my hands, the art is precisely to make them invisible. A natural effect doesn't happen by itself; it requires anatomical knowledge, the right product choice, and a balanced dosage.
I place the filler deep on the bone, not superficially. That way I fill the tear trough from the inside without creating a puffy rim. With microdroplets, I build up the lost volume layer by layer until the shadow disappears and your look is open again.
Too much product gives an overfilled mask. I work with minimal amounts and often schedule a follow-up appointment for fine-tuning. This way your face remains expressive and you recognize yourself, just less tired.
Because I also apply biostimulation, I additionally strengthen the skin structure itself. Over time, this gives an even softer transition and extra support, without extra volume.
Although fillers provide an immediate correction, the skin quality around your eyes is at least as determinant for a youthful appearance. With a biostimulator such as Sculptra or a biostimulating filler such as Radiesse, I activate your own collagen production, making the skin firmer and more elastic. I do not place Sculptra around the eyes, but in the midface.
With a hollow tear trough, it's often not only the missing volume but also the sagging of the cheek that enhances the shadow. By strengthening the midface with a biostimulator, I kind of lift the under-eye. The result is subtle and develops over several months.
Sometimes I opt for a hybrid approach: a thin, flexible filler directly in the tear trough and a biostimulator around the cheekbones. This way I restore the contour while the skin strengthens itself. This combination yields one of the most natural, lasting rejuvenations I can offer.
On the day itself, slight swelling may occur. That is normal and usually subsides within 3 days. Small bruises are easily camouflaged with concealer; I often recommend an arnica cream.
After 1 week you see the preliminary effect, although it may still take up to 4 weeks before the filler is fully integrated and the soft, natural result becomes visible. With biostimulation, this process takes longer: collagen production gets going slowly and peaks after 3 to 6 months.
Complications are rare, but in case of persistent unevenness or an unexpected effect, you can always contact me. I'm happy to take a look and adjust where necessary.
Your situation
Every face is different. During your consultation, I analyze not only the depth of the tear trough but also the quality of your skin and the presence of volume loss elsewhere in your face. Here's how I make the choice.
A hyaluronic acid filler is often the best first step. It restores volume immediately and gives a visible result that lasts 9 to 12 months.
A biostimulator in the cheek area can already be enough to reduce the shadow, without injecting anything into the tear trough.
Then I usually combine a filler for volume with a biostimulator plus skinboosters for texture improvement. This way I address the whole picture.
Patients from Gent, Antwerpen, Brugge, and the entire Meetjesland find their way to my practice for a non-surgical tear trough correction. The combination of my surgical background and years of focus on regenerative techniques ensures safe, predictable, and natural results. You are welcome in a discrete, medical setting where your comfort and satisfaction are central.
Best tear trough filler: subtly softening hollow, tired eyes
Biostimulator
Biostimulators at Dr T.: firmer skin with a natural look
Biostimulating filler Radiesse
Complications with Fillers: What You Need to Know, How to Recognize Them, and What to Do Immediately
The best fillers for your face: how to choose with confidence