November 11th, 2006

Recently I have received several reports of serious complications occurring in people who have had soft tissue fillers like Collagen and Restylane injected into their eyelids to correct dark circles under the eyes and other lower eyelid aging changes. Although the companies that manufacture the soft tissue fillers specifically recommend that Doctors not inject soft tissue fillers into the eyelid area, many Doctors are ignoring these warnings and injecting these fillers into the lower eyelid of patients to correct dark circles under the eyes.

So far patients have reported visible lumps on the eye and cheek area and significant swelling of the eyelids and have been told by their Doctors that nothing can be done to correct the problem. I fear much more serious complications such as injury to the eye.

Eyelid rejuvenation, that is correction of puffiness or bags of the lower eyelid and dark circles under the eyes are one of the most frequent complaints of patients seeking plastic surgery. The most effective and commonly recommended options to correct aging of the eyelid is a plastic surgery operation called a blepharoplasty . When properly performed by an experienced board Certified Plastic Surgeon on an appropriately selected patient, the blepharoplasty can safely produce excellent rejuvenation of both the upper and lower eyelids.

Many people however want to remove dark circles under the eyelids and rejuvenate the eyelid appearance but want to avoid surgery and are having soft tissue filler injections into the eyelid to plump up the dark circles. The theory is that if soft tissue filler is injected beneath the dark circle, the filler will plump up the dark circle and make it less noticeable. The technique can be successful but it is a temporary solution unlike blepharoplasty , which is a permanent solution.

The problem however is that soft tissue filler injection into the eyelid is, in my opinion, a potentially very dangerous procedure, and the companies that make the soft tissue fillers recommend against it.

The major risk is that the filler could be inadvertently injected into one of the blood vessels that feed into or drain the eyeball and if this were to occur the eye could potentially be injured and blindness could result. Worse, an inexperienced Doctor could inadvertently inject the filler directly into the eye causing serious damage.

In some cases the doctors who are doing soft tissue filler injections into the eyelid have had no training in surgery of the eyelids and do not possess the intimate knowledge of eyelid anatomy that is required to be doing invasive procedures on the eyelids. Even Ophthalmologists, the eye specialists use special care when injecting with needles around the eye.

The soft tissue fillers that are currently in use include Collagen, Zyderm, Zyplast, Hylaform, Perlane, Restylane, Radiesse, Sculptra, Cosmoplast, Cosmoderm, Evolence, and others.

Perhaps in the future controlled clinical studies will be reported which show the benefits and safety of injecting soft tissue fillers around the eyelid. For now, however, the reports I have had from patients who have had complications following this technique are an early warning and should be heeded.

I recommend that patients avoid this technique. If you have dark circles and puffiness under the eyes see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and consider a blepharoplasty. If you feel that you must have a filler injected into the eyelids then by all means see a board certified plastic surgeon or occuloplastic surgeon who has experience and knowledge in eyelid anatomy and surgery. If you have a complication you want to be under the care of an experienced Doctor who can take care of the problem.

Dr Seckel

When it comes to dark circles or bags under the eyes most people assume that they are mainly caused by being tired or stressed out. They also assume that if they just get more sleep they will be rid of them. However this is not necessarily the case. Doctors have found that there are other causes.

Below are three common causes of dark circles under your eyes:

1. Nasal Congestion: Even though most people think that fatigue is the main cause of the dark circles, this is not necessarily true. The most common cause for under eye circles is nasal congestion. When your nasal passages are clogged or congested the veins that drain from your eyes into your nose become dilated and darker.

2. Eyelid Swelling: One other cause of under eye circles is the swelling of your eyelids during sleep. When you are lying down, gravity may cause fluid to collect in your lower eyelids and the swelling can create the appearance of shadows below your eyes.

3. Lack of Sleep or Fatigue: If you are consistently fatigued or are not getting enough sleep it can lead to your skin becoming pale – especially the delicate area under your eyes. It can enhance the blood flowing beneath your skin giving the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.

Most people get dark circles, bags or wrinkles under their eyes every now and then. However, some people can’t ever seem to get rid of them. If you have ever had dark circles under your eyes or bags under your eyes you may have felt like you were or are shouting out to the world that you there is something wrong with you, that you are sick, that your looks are fading or that you are older than you really are. The truth of the matter is that, dark circles and wrinkles make you can make you look exhausted, old, depressed or ill.

You don’t have to be embarrassed by dark circles or bags under your eyes anymore. Clear and beautiful skin is on its ways because serious relief is here in Hydroxatone® Hydrolyze’s Under Eye Treatment.

In scientific studies, Hydrolyzes main active ingredient, Haloxyl™, has been shown to help reduce the blood that is leaked under the skin by using a series of natural enzymes that break down the blood and cause the dark circles to fade. In fact, Haloxyl™ is so effective because it actually helps strengthen the capillaries to help prevent them from leaking in the first place.

This product has been tested in clinical trails and in n a double-blind trial more than 72% of the women who had serious dark circles and used Haloxyl™ saw visible reduction in the dark circles under their eyes. These findings were also confirmed with the use of high-speed laboratory photography. This photography clearly showed a significant reduction in the appearance of the blue and red color that make up these dark eye circles.

Hydroxatone® Hydrolyze is so effective at making your eyes look more refreshed and a whole lot younger because in addition it includes one of the most effective wrinkle reducing compounds that has ever been produced, Matrixyl™ 3000. Due to its advanced wrinkle fighting technology, this clinically proven compound actually stimulates collagen production to help reduce the appearance of visible deep wrinkles by 68% and increase the firmness of your skin after only two months. All natural Hydroxatone® Hydrolyze was designed to be safe and gentle enough for everyday use.