What are tear troughs and tear trough fillers? 

A tear trough or tear trough deformity is a defined crease located between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek. Over time, the skin loses elasticity and fatty tissue. This can result in the appearance of deep, dark circles under the eyes called under-eye bags. 

The area where these bags or circles form is called a tear trough.

While under-eye bags are a natural part of the aging process, the appearance of dark circles can also be an inherited trait. 

Many people find the appearance of dark circles to be undesirable. But they can be corrected with something called tear trough fillers. Tear trough fillers are treatments given through an injection to “plump” or “fill” the area under the eyes. The treatment often consists of hyaluronic acid gel, such as Juvederm. 

In some cases, fat injections or fat transfers are used. Other names you might hear for tear trough fillers include “eye bag fillers” or “under-eye fillers.”

Benefits that one can expect from tear trough fillers include an improvement of dark circles and visible depressions under the eyes, as well as elimination of under-eye bags. These results can provide the patient with a more youthful look.