Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, canthoplasty, etc.) can certainly improve aesthetic appearance greatly. However, today many patients are seeking a less invasive way to improve the way they look – especially around the eyes. For this patients are seeking eyelid filler. Eyelid fillers are materials like Restylane, Juvederm or Perlane which fill depressions, dark circles and hollows around the eyes. Unlike surgery, eyelid filler with any of these materials (Restylane, Juvederm or Perlane) is reversible. This means if the patient is unhappy with the result it can be erased with another injection which dissolves the filler. This second injection is either Hyaluronidase or Vitrase.
All these fillers (Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane) are made of hyaluronic acid gel. This is normal material found in our body which tends to be lost with age. This loss causes changes in our joints, hair and skin (and other areas). By injecting Restylane, Juvederm or Perlane into the skin and deeper tissue we can replace what is lost to fill depression and reduce hollows and dark circles.
It is generally thought that these filers (Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane) last 6 months when injected. I have found that in the areas around the eyes they last up to a year or more. While these are temporary solutions – this is a viable option for those patients averse to surgery and for those who want subtle, yet definitive changes.
