Under-Eye Filler in Lake Norman, NC

Usually a good fit

• A clear hollow between the lower lid and the cheek
• Shadows that come from the hollow, not from skin color
• Cheeks that still have reasonable support
• Realistic expectations: softer, not erased

When I'll say no, or not yet

If your circles come mostly from skin color, filler won't change the color. If there's puffiness or a bulge under the eye, filler may not be the right tool. If the cheek has lost a lot of support, the under-eye may need to wait until that's addressed. And if any reason to wait in the safety list below applies to you, we hold off.

A no isn't a dead end. I'll tell you what I think is going on and, where it fits my menu, what might help instead.

What it costs

Under-eye filler is priced per syringe and quoted at your free consult. If you aren't a candidate, you pay nothing for finding out. The pricing page explains how filler is priced. Financing through Cherry and CareCredit is available for treatment plans.

Does it hurt?

Pressure and some brief pinches, mostly. Some fillers contain lidocaine, a numbing medicine. You can ask for a pause whenever you want one.

How long it lasts

The FDA says how long a filler lasts depends on the filler material and where it's injected, and that absorbable fillers break down over time, so the treatment may need repeating. HA fillers are reversible, which matters more near the eyes than anywhere else.

Downtime

The skin is thin here, so a bruise is possible, and swelling for a few days is normal. Most people go back to their day afterward. Give it two weeks before photos or a trip.

Your first visit

Expect more looking than injecting. I check your under-eyes in different light and at different angles, and I look at the cheeks too. Then you get a straight answer: yes with a plan and a price, not yet, or no. If it's yes, I place small amounts, and your two-week follow-up is included.

Is it safe?

The FDA's page on dermal fillers explains the risks. Based on that guidance, wait or bring it up at your consult if:

• You're under 22. The FDA approves dermal fillers for adults 22 and older.
• You're pregnant or breastfeeding. The FDA says filler safety is unknown during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Your skin is inflamed or infected where we'd treat, including active acne, a rash, or hives.
• You have a bleeding disorder, severe allergies or a history of anaphylaxis, or an allergy to lidocaine.
• You tend to form keloids or raised scars.

The FDA lists bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and itching as common dermal filler side effects and says many clear up within days to weeks. The most serious risk is filler getting into a blood vessel. The FDA calls that chance low, but it can cause tissue damage, vision problems including blindness, or stroke. Get care right away for unusual pain, any change in your vision, or skin near the injection site that turns white, gray, or blue.

Near the eyes, any change in vision is the warning sign to take most seriously.

The honest uncertainty

Even with a good candidate, the under-eye is the most delicate area on the face, which is why I start small. If it turns out cheeks are the bigger factor, see cheek filler in Lake Norman. The full menu is on the services page.