A UK study has supported the efficacy and safety of a novel no surgical technique – involving subdermal HA filler injections – for treatment of dark under-eye circles.
In the study of 166 patients (332 eyelids), reported in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, micro-droplet subdermal placement of filler i the preseptal tear trough area was associated with ‘long-term aesthetic improvement and patient satisfaction’ – and the technique had ‘low risk of complications, and no significant adverse events were reported’.
With treatment of under-eye circles potentially complex, patients interested in the new technique were made thoroughly aware of risks and benefits After topical anaesthesia was applied to the treatment area, the treating surgeon used a smart ‘click’ syringe with serial puncture injection technique; treatment continued until the under-eye area was saturated with subdermal ‘bubbles’ of hyaluronic acid spaced 3-5mm apart.
Clinicians revisited patients – 73% women, median age 30 (range 18-45) – between 2-12 weeks after treatment for both clinical evaluation and their own satisfaction with results; patients were followed up every 6 months thereafter until additional treatment was requested.
All patients reported some localised bumps in the treated area, which resolved within 2-7 days; one patient had filler dissolved due to persistent swelling. No patients experienced infections, necrosis or blindness.
All patients completed at least 6 months of follow-up, with a range of 6-36 months; treatment was found to last up to 36 months.
Overall 161 patients (97.6%) felt their under-eye appearance had improved from pre-treatment at the 6-month follow-up: 16.9% ‘very much improved’; 45.5% ‘much improved’; 35.2% ‘slightly improved’; 1.2% ‘no change’; and 1.25% ‘worsened’.
Additionally 120 patients (74.5%) reported improvements in the ‘texture and hydration of their under-eye skin’.
