Injectable Treatment

Tear Trough Filler

Tear trough filler in London uses small amounts of hyaluronic acid dermal filler to soften the hollow between the lower eyelid and upper cheek, which can create shadowing and a tired appearance even when you are well rested.

Book Consultation

Natural filler result by Dr Harriet Turnbull at UNTIL Marylebone

The short answer

What tear trough filler is

The tear trough is the natural groove between the lower eyelid and upper cheek. In some people, this hollow can create shadowing beneath the eyes and contribute to a tired appearance, even when they are well rested.

Tear trough filler is a treatment using small amounts of hyaluronic acid dermal filler to soften this hollow and create a smoother transition between the lower eyelid and cheek. The under-eye is a complex area, and careful assessment is particularly important before considering treatment.

What to expect during and after your session

Treatment time30 to 45 minutes
AnaestheticTopical numbing cream
Results visibleImmediately, then settle
DowntimeSwelling a few days, bruising up to a week
Result judged atTwo weeks
Results lastVaries with anatomy, product and metabolism
Often combined withPolynucleotides

Bright clinic interior at UNTIL Marylebone, where Dr Harriet holds clinic

A named special interest

The under-eye, assessed before it is filled

Softens the hollow between the lower eyelid and cheek
Reduces the depth of the hollow and its associated shadow
Keeps the natural contours beneath the eyes
A conservative approach that avoids puffiness, visible filler or an unnatural result
Assessed alongside the cheeks and wider mid-face
Delivered by a GP who has taught facial anatomy and injection techniques for many years

Book a Consultation

What can be treated?

Filler can improve hollowness and associated shadowing, but it will not directly treat pigmentation, fine lines or skin laxity. It can also be unsuitable for patients with prominent eye bags or a tendency towards under-eye swelling.

Dark circles cast by a hollow
Looking tired
Facial volume loss
A deep or genetically pronounced tear trough
Flattening across the top of the cheek

Treatment areas

Under-eye

Tear trough
Inner corner
Under-eye rim

Assessed alongside

Upper cheek
Mid face
Skin quality

Patient journey

What to expect from tear trough filler

Consultation & preparation

Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamin E and fish oil for 48 hours beforehand where it is safe to stop them, since the under-eye bruises readily. Come with no eye makeup and remove contact lenses before your appointment.

During treatment

Is tear trough filler right for everyone?

No. The under-eye is a complex area, and careful assessment is particularly important before considering treatment.

What appears to be a tear trough may be influenced by several different factors, including facial anatomy, loss of volume and structural support, skin thickness, pigmentation, prominent fat pads, skin laxity and fluid retention. Filler can improve hollowness and associated shadowing, but it will not directly treat pigmentation, fine lines or skin laxity. It can also be unsuitable for patients with prominent eye bags or a tendency towards under-eye swelling.

Dr Harriet assesses the under-eye area alongside the cheeks and wider mid-face to establish what is contributing to the appearance. Depending on the findings, treatment may involve the tear trough itself, addressing support elsewhere in the mid-face, considering an alternative skin treatment, or recommending no injectable treatment. Where a combination suits, she draws on dermal fillers, polynucleotides and specialised amino acid, hyaluronic acid and vitamin combinations.

What does treatment involve?

Where appropriate, small amounts of hyaluronic acid dermal filler are carefully placed within the under-eye area.

Treatment is individualised according to facial anatomy and the degree and distribution of volume loss. Dr Harriet takes a conservative approach to this area, as adding too much volume can lead to puffiness, visible filler or an unnatural result.

The aim is to reduce the depth of the hollow and associated shadow rather than completely eliminate the natural contours beneath the eyes.

Assessment and experience

Dr Harriet is a GP and has practised aesthetic medicine for 10 years. She has extensive experience with injectable treatments and has taught facial anatomy and injection techniques to other medical practitioners for many years.

The tear trough is an anatomically complex area and is not appropriate for every patient. Assessment, product selection, injection technique and an understanding of potential complications are therefore particularly important.

Are there risks?

As with all dermal filler treatments, there are potential risks. These include bruising, swelling, asymmetry, lumps or contour irregularities, prolonged swelling and visible or discoloured filler.

Rarely, filler can enter or compress a blood vessel, resulting in a vascular occlusion. This can cause tissue damage and, in extremely rare circumstances, visual impairment. These risks and the steps taken to minimise them will be discussed fully during your consultation.

Aftercare

Some swelling, tenderness and bruising can occur following treatment. Swelling can be more noticeable around the eyes because of the nature of the tissues in this area and will usually settle with time. Sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first two nights and avoid rubbing the area. Skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas and steam rooms for 24 hours. Allow up to a week for any bruising. Judge the result at two weeks.

Pricing

Tear trough filler prices in London

Under-eye work is quoted after assessment, because what the area needs varies more than almost anywhere else on the face. Where the plan combines filler with polynucleotides or Sunekos, the full course is priced at consultation before anything is booked.

Dermal filler treatments

Tear trough and under-eye filler Total cost is bespoke to individual patient requirements

From £350

Combination under-eye plan Where polynucleotides or Sunekos form part of the plan

By consultation

Booking

New patient deposit Redeemable against the cost of your treatment

£50

The £50 new patient deposit is redeemable against the cost of your treatment. Prices are reviewed periodically. Treatment follows a face-to-face consultation and only goes ahead where it is clinically appropriate. Individual results vary.

Boundaries of practice

What's not treated

Good practice means saying no when indicated:

Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Known hypersensitivity to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine
Active skin or eye infection at the treatment site
Prominent eye bags, or a tendency towards under-eye swelling or fluid retention rather than hollowing
Active autoimmune disease affecting the skin
History of anaphylaxis or severe multiple allergies

Written and medically reviewed by Dr Harriet Turnbull, Aesthetic Doctor and GP: BMBS (Hons), MRCGP · JCCP: Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, UK register for non-surgical practice.

FAQ

Tear trough filler FAQs

Will tear trough filler get rid of my dark circles?

It depends on what is causing them. Filler can improve hollowness and associated shadowing, but it will not directly treat pigmentation, fine lines or skin laxity. Where the darkness comes from pigmentation or visible blood vessels through thin skin, a different treatment is needed. Dr Harriet assesses which applies to you.

Is tear trough filler safe?

As with all dermal filler treatments, there are potential risks, including bruising, swelling, asymmetry, lumps, prolonged swelling and visible or discoloured filler. Rarely, a vascular occlusion can cause tissue damage and, in extremely rare circumstances, visual impairment. Dr Harriet, a GP with 10 years in aesthetic medicine, discusses these risks and how they are minimised at consultation.

Can tear trough filler be dissolved?

Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler in the tear trough can be broken down with a prescription-only enzyme, which is a meaningful safeguard in an area where results need to be right. Dr Harriet offers dissolving as a treatment in its own right, including for under-eye work placed elsewhere.

How long will it last?

Results vary between individuals, and the duration of effect will depend on factors including anatomy, the product used and individual metabolism. There is no single timeframe that applies to everyone. Dr Harriet will discuss what you can realistically expect at your consultation.

How much swelling should I expect?

Some swelling, tenderness and bruising can occur following treatment. Swelling can be more noticeable around the eyes because of the nature of the tissues in this area and will usually settle with time. Allow up to a week for any bruising to resolve, and do not book treatment close to an important event.

What happens at the consultation?

Your consultation establishes what is causing the changes beneath your eyes and whether tear trough filler is appropriate. Dr Harriet assesses your facial anatomy, skin and mid-face support, discusses what can realistically be achieved and explains the benefits, limitations and risks. If filler is unlikely to help, alternative options, or no treatment, will be discussed.

Get Started

Ready to begin?
Book today.

Dr Harriet Clinics • 1 Orchard Street, UNTIL Marylebone, London W1H 6HJ

Book

Appointments typically available within 1–2 weeks