Curious about under eye fillers for dark circles? I’m sharing my experience of getting Juvederm Voluma cheek filler and Juvederm Volbella under eye filler, answering frequently asked questions including cost, pain, and facts, and sharing my before and after results.
*Juvederm Voluma and Botox were provided complimentary by Allergan at Georgia Center MedSpa, however all opinions are 100% my own.
Under Eye Fillers – My Experience + Before & After
Unless you have been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of fillers and under eye fillers by now. Under eye fillers can help address hollowness under the eyes that can be caused by genetics or aging, and it’s a non-invasive (non-surgical) treatment option to help you look refreshed and more youthful.
Today I’m really excited to share my personal experience with getting under eye fillers and I’m answering some of the most common questions surrounding fillers. I’m also including a before and after so you can see my full results, and laying out all the facts on fillers so you can decide if it’s something for you!
My Struggle With Under Eye Circles
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had dark circles and a hollowness under my eyes. As I’ve gotten older it’s became even more prominent and to be honest it’s always been something I’ve been very self conscious about.
I can remember so many times when people would ask me if I was sick or say things like “Rough night? You look so tired” and it would literally be after getting 9 hours of sleep the previous night. Even though I would feel great (energy wise) my dark circles would make me look very tired, and would completely derail my confidence.
And although I learned how to camouflage it as best as I could with layers of concealer and color correctors, concealer wasn’t fixing the issue (And trust me when I say I’ve tried literally every concealer, corrector, and eye cream known to man).
Furthermore it was very frustrating to me because I’ve always taken really good care of my skin and aside from my horrendous dark circles I had zero problem going makeup free. At the end of the day, I just wanted to feel confident with or without makeup and not look so tired.
After determining there was no magical concealer, cream, or over-the-counter treatment to address my under eye circles, I decided to start researching fillers and reached out to Allergan to learn more about the entire process. I had always seen amazing under eye filler before and afters, and I was really curious to see if similar results were attainable for me.
My Under Eye Fillers Consultation
After chatting with Allergan, they graciously set up an appointment for me with Nicole Miller, licensed RN at Georgia Center MedSpa here in Albany, Georgia. At my consultation with Nicole, I was able to ask questions and learn more about the different under eye filler treatments available, as well as the root cause of my under eye circles.
She explained to me that as we age, we all naturally lose volume within our face and gravity tends to pull things down. She also explained that the face consists of fat pads under the skin and the separation of the eye and cheek area under the skin caused by age is what results in a sunken hollowness. The delicate under eye region (or tear trough) also becomes thinner and shadowing under the eye becomes more prominent.
I was surprised to learn that my dark under eye circles were mostly caused by a shadowing effect from the hollowness or indentation, and not so much that I had darkness on the skin.
For my specific concerns, she recommended I get a combination of Juvederm Volbella and Juvederm Voluma to address the loss of volume in my under eye and cheek area.
I also mentioned my concern with the pesky little frown lines (or 11’s) between my brows that appear when I squint my eyes in the sun, to which she recommended Botox Glabella. She said this would help tighten and lift the facial muscles in this region and would prevent the frowning from occurring.
What’s the Difference in Juvederm Voluma Filler and Juvederum Volbella Filler?
Juvederm Voluma is best for adding volume to the upper cheek area, while Juvederm Volbella is perfect for filling in hollowness in the tear-trough under eye region. While both treatments can be done alone, she recommended both to best balance out the face and to attain a more natural look.
What Are Facial Fillers and Under Eye Fillers?
Fillers are injectable treatments of hyaluronic acid that help replace lost volume and contour specific regions of the face such as cheeks, under eyes, chin etc. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin and is what helps create a youthful, hydrated appearance in the skin.
Under eye fillers are most commonly injected in the tear trough area to add plumpness and hydration and minimize the appearance of under eye circles and hollowness.
How Are Fillers Injected/Does It Hurt?
Facial fillers such as Juvederm Voluma is injected by needle in the upper cheek area and the lower under eye region, and is lightly massaged and molded into the skin by the injector. The process only takes 15-30 minutes. This type of injection results in a slight pinch on the skin every time the needle is injected, but was a very minor pain as the skin was numbed prior.
Will Facial Fillers Cause Bruising?
Swelling and bruising is common and can take anywhere 4-7 days to heal.
For these reasons, I wouldn’t personally recommend getting facial filler before a big event, as it’s best for your skin to go makeup free for a couple of days.
For me, the swelling subsided in about 4 days and the bruising went away after a week or so with using this soft ice pack for 10 minutes daily.
I also applied this Arnica cream daily and it tremendously helped reduce the pain, bruising, and swelling afterwards.
Will Under Eye Fillers Cause Bruising?
Unlike facial fillers, under eye fillers are a little different and can be injected with a micro-cannula which minimizes the chance of bruising.
This is done by first using a needle on the cheeks to create a pathway for the filler, and then a non-blunt tip cannula (micro-cannula) is used to guide the filler into place. Again the process is very short and only takes about 10-15 minutes.
The use of a cannula results in little to no pain and zero bruising/swelling to the skin. I personally did not have any bruising or swelling with under eye filler, which was awesome.
However, if your under eye filler is injected without the use of a micro-cannula, bruising can still occur, and the level of bruising will of course vary from person to person depending on several factors.
If you’re a person who is prone to bruising, I HIGHLY recommend icing the area before and taking these arnica supplements at least 1 week prior to your appointment to minimize bruising.
This photo was taken right after my Juvederm Voluma cheek fillers, and as you can see there was quite a bit of bruising along the cheekbone.
When Will I See My Filler Results?
Immediately! Yes, it’s truly amazing but with fillers and under eye fillers you can notice an immediate difference, which is why it’s such a popular treatment. That being said, it can take up to 2 weeks for the fillers to fully settle into the area, which is why you should follow all post-treatment instructions from your provider and avoid doing things that will prolong or manipulate recovery.
Things to Avoid After Under Eye Fillers:
- Drinking Alcohol
- Working Out
- Being Out in The Sun
- Taking Blood Thinner Medication
- Rubbing/Massaging the Treated Area
I also personally went makeup free 3 days after having both treatments done so that it could properly heal. I recommend having the treatment done before the weekend, so that you can have plenty of time to recover.
How Long Do Fillers Last?
Juvederm Voluma filler can last up to 2 years, making it one of the best cheek fillers out there! Juvederm Volbella can last up to 14 months, although every patient may metabolize filler at different speeds. It is recommended that patients come back in for assessments 6-8 months in, so that touch-up can be added to avoid a full re-lapse.
Are Fillers Safe?
Yes, fillers are completely safe and if allergic reactions or adverse effects occur, filler can be immediately dissolved. My number one recommendation is to make sure you have fillers done by a board certified and experienced professional. At the end of the day, this is your face we’re talking about and especially with your under eye area you want to ensure the filler is being injected properly. I absolutely loved Nicole at Georgia Center MedSpa and would highly recommend her to anyone in the Southwest Georgia area.
To find a board certified professional in your area, head here.
How Much Do Facial Fillers and Under Eye Fillers Cost?
Fillers are priced per syringe and the cost will vary depending on your specific needs. Prices also vary depending on where you live, but in general Juvederm Voluma costs around $800/syringe and lasts up to 2 years, and Juvederm Volbella costs $375/syringe and lasts up to 14 months.
Under Eye Fillers Before & After
The photo above is the before and after of the first procedure, Juvederm Voluma cheek filler, and prior to getting under eye filler. I am not wearing any under eye makeup so you can really see the depth of my under eye circles. The Juvederm Voluma filler added such a pretty and subtle volume to the cheek area.
Shown below is the before and after of the second procedure, Juvederm Volbella under eye filler, and the difference to me is like night and day. You can really tell a difference in the left under eye area especially, and although there is still a slight amount of dark circles left, it completely covers up with concealer now and the shadowing and hollowness is almost non-existent.
Disclaimer: These photos have not been edited, this is me in all my non-makeup glory! 😉
Here is a breakdown of the filler and botox treatments I had done:
- Juvederm Voluma, 3 Syringes (injected in the upper cheeks)
- Botox Glabella, 20 Units (injected between the brows)
- Juvederm Volbella, 1.25 Syringes with Micro-Cannula (injected in tear trough under eye area)
Here is a photo of me with makeup after having cheek and under eye filler and for the first time in a long time I felt completely confident and pretty. The dark under eye circles and hollows are gone!
Under Eye Fillers Reflections
Overall, I’m so so happy with my under eye fillers and I would highly recommend this treatment to anyone who has under eye circles or hollowness.
Prior to getting fillers my biggest apprehension was that it was going to make me look fake or overdone, but it ended up looking completely natural and although I personally noticed a huge difference, the results were very subtle and most people probably wouldn’t be able to tell unless looking at a side-by-side comparison.
I love how well-rested it makes me look and it has completely boosted my confidence!
My one piece of advice for anyone considering fillers or Botox is to do what makes you happy.
There are a lot of people out there who have a negative perception of things like fillers and Botox, but I’m at the point in my life where if I’m unhappy about something and I can improve it, then why not?
Of course I’m not saying that everyone needs fillers or Botox, but do what makes you happy and what makes you feel confident, and don’t worry so much about what others are going to think about it.
I’ll also add that it’s important to be realistic and keep in mind the power and limitations of fillers, and know that fillers aren’t going to completely magically erase under eye discoloration and the natural indentations that are present under the eyes.
If you’re interested in learning more about fillers, I recommend setting up a consultation with a board certified provider in your area. Find one here
That about wraps it up for this post on My Under Eye Fillers Experience. Have you ever considered getting filler? Let me know in the comments below if you have any other questions!
Thanks for stopping by! – Cara
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I’ve read there’s a medical concern about feeling the under eye region, because fillers even the new generation ones, attract water and you end up, in time, showing a heaviness in that delicate area. I stopped using them as they get in my tearthrough and move down to the malar bag and it looks like I have water retention.
I’ve been getting them for 3 years and haven’t had any issues like that. I’d recommend seeing a board certified provider in your area and possibly get the filler dissolved. If an injector is not properly trained or uses the wrong type of filler for that region, adverse effects can sometimes occur, which is what it sounds like happened.
Am from the Bahamas. Wish I could have mines done
I found this article so helpful. I was injected with Voluma under my eye sockets. An inch long by a 1/4 inch wide of a hard lump!
Took 5 sessions of that acid injects to dissolve it. It has been a year and I still have “pouchy” areas where it was! What should I do?
Hi Donna, I’m so sorry to hear you had a negative experience with your under eye fillers. My first question would be – was your injector licensed/board certified provider? While there are many people out there who offer fillers/botox, I personally wouldn’t recommend ever using someone unless they are fully licensed through Allergan/Juvederm themselves. Those who are certified go through extensive and regular trainings in order to provide the best services, and as the undereye area is such a delicate area, I wouldn’t want just anyone injecting something in me. You can use this website to locate a licensed provider in your area. https://www.juvederm.com/find-a-specialist
Second, if they dissolved the fillers completely, then the under eye area should have eventually went back to normal in smoothness/texture. And while lumps/bruising can sometimes occur after being injected, it should eventually smooth and settle within the skin once it heals. If you still have pouches even after all the filler was resolved, it could be that you had some type of allergic reaction or that they didn’t remove all the filler. I would recommend finding another licensed provider nearby for a consult so that they can advise you on what your options are to correct this. Hope everything gets resolved!
Hi, I was wondering if your eyes look darker after each time you have to go back? I suffer from dark circles but have read that under eye fillers tend to make the eyes darker after 2 years. Thanks so much!
Hi Payton, that’s a great question, and the good news is that is a total myth. Filler does not cause your undereye area to go darker, that would only be caused by age, genetics, health etc. Under eye filler will help fill in hollowness, therefore helping eliminate “the shadow effect”, which is what makes your undereye area look darker. There can actually be many causes of dark circles and undereye circles though, which is why I recommend scheduling a consult to meet with a nurse so that they can help determine the cause. Also, with filler it is recommended that patients come back in for assessments 6-8 months after treatment, so that touch-up can be added to avoid a full re-lapse. I’ve been getting fillers for over 2 years now and my undereye area looks great compared to what it did 2 years ago. Hope that helps answer your question! 🙂
Hi there,
I see it’s been about 10 months since you published this. Just wondering how your under eye fillers have held up since you got them? Do you feel like you’ll need to get them redone anytime soon? Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
Hi Hannah- great question! I’m actually getting ready to add an update to the post as I just went in last week to get them re-filled. They typically recommend you go back in around the 6 month mark for any touch-ups (which I did) and then 1 month or so before your 1 year anniversary for re-fills. This is because you don’t want it to fully go back to the pre-filler state. I’ve been so happy with how they held up and I think the results are even better this time around with a new technique she did! Stay tuned for the update and thanks for commenting! 🙂
Dear Cara,
Thank you so much for a concise and articulate discussion about under eye fillers. I have been offering these services in the UK for over twenty years and it is most important that prospective patients get as much clear information as possible so they know what can and cannot be achieved. I am always happy to offer advice and further information if it might help. Also happy to provide guest blogs if that would be appropriate.
https://eternalyouth.co.uk/procedures/dermal-filler/
Will the under eye filler help with just smoothing out wrinkles under the eye?
Filler can slightly lessen the appearance of wrinkles, but it’s best to schedule a consultation so that they can give you a more clear idea of what your results might look like. For the under eye area specifically it’s more aimed at helping lessen the appearance of dark circles and shadowing.
This article seems to be written by me, I have dark spots under my eyes and I can’t live with that no more..tired of people asking me if I’m tire .. I already have my appointment set up for next month 2020.. and after read this I cant wait..
Thanks ❤️
So exciting! So glad this post was helpful to you and I hope you love your results! Happy New Year!
You stole words from my mouth. I just have to put on makeup for the heck of dark circles and sunken eyes. It makes them look more prominent and highlights the issue sometimes and thats the worst part. Im looking at getting under eye fillers done and went through your post. Makes me feel confident in getting them done. I just wanted to know whats the improvement rate from our current under eye situation to post fillers.
Thanks🙂
Hi Yam, thanks for commenting! Dark circles are definitely frustrating- I wish we could make dark circles go away all together! Every case is going to be different, depending on the bone structure of your face, but mine drastically improved. I still have some shadowing when I look down and when I’m not wearing makeup, but the sunken appearance improved a ton. I definitely recommend setting up a consultation and they can make suggestions for you for improvements. I’m actually going for my 6 month touch up appt. next week, and will probably do a follow-up post, sharing my experience with that. Happy Friday!
Thanks for sharing your personal experience with these two things. Your results look great! I have had dark circles since childhood. Like toddler age. I don’t know know why but I’ve always had them. Like you, I’ve never considered myself to have bad skin and the ONLY thing that makes me feel self conscious going makeup free is my dark circles. I NEED concealer and even that doesn’t make them go away 100%. People have said the same things to me about being sick or tired. I would def be interested in getting this done and maybe some botox to my frown lines between my brows and my forehead. I’m 32 and it’s only going to get worse as I age. Money is the only thing holding me back at this point.
Thanks! I definitely encourage you to consider setting up a consultation with a licensed provider in your area to see what they might recommend. The consultation was my favorite part because it was really educational in understanding the cause of my undereye circles/hollowness, and you’d be surprised at what just a small amount of filler can do. Although I normally don’t spend a ton on beauty/makeup products, for me this was something worth every penny because it’s given me back so much confidence.
I heard filler make it worse when you stop doing it , is it true ?
Not at all. The area which you put filler would just go back to the way it was before.
Look at those results!!!! Good for you for doing something to give you some confidence! It looks great!!!
Thank-you! I’m a firm believer in doing what makes you happy! 🙂
Game changer! I’ve dealt with hereditary under eye circles since I can remember! Something non-invasive that could help – yes please <3
Green Fashionista
It really has been a game changer. It’s amazing to not look so tired and have that hollowness. I was honestly amazed at how such a small amount made such a big difference!
Your results are so good! I honestly have not heard of the under-eye fillers so this was interesting to read about. I am self conscious of the bags I have under my eyes- not standard bags that people talk about, but it seems like extra skin. I should consult with someone to find out if anything like this can help. You’re beautiful, I’m glad you’re happy with the results!
Thank-you! Going in for a consultation was my favorite part- very educational and you’re able to ask questions without any pressure. It’s definitely helped me feel more confident and I love not always looking tired now.
I love your history, I will do it some day too, because I have the same problem. Thanks for sharing your experience.