to be considering under eye fillers?!

[ohbigdaddio]

Before I start I'm feeling quite low in confidence in general, just had a failed IVF attempt, so please don't be too harsh! Also, I know this is completely a first world problem...

So, I am 38 and have dark hollows/loss of volume under my eyes which is a hereditary thing on my Dad's side. This has worsened over the last 10 years and every time I look in the mirror I feel crap. No matter how much concealer/foundation I use they are still there and I look tired no matter how much sleep I get. When people see me with no make-up they ask if I'm tired. I'm not! I stayed at my Auntie's house and felt too embarrassed going down for breakfast with no concealer on, so I layered two concealers and when she saw me she asked if I had had a bad night's sleep as I looked really tired! I'm wondering if they're this bad at 38, how will they be at 58?

I'm a bit fixated on it and find myself on the tube checking out other people's dark circles and comparing them to mine. Mine are always so much worse! And many people are decades older than me and don't have them at all.

I've complained to my DH about them for years and didn't realise until recently that you could have anything done about them (if you had the money and the inclination!) My DH always says he loves me as I am and tells me I'm beautiful but I don't feel it myself.

So I've been considering getting fillers but I really am only considering it. I haven't had any cosmetic procedures and don't want any (apart from this!) but I just want my under eyes to go back to 'normal'. I'm scared of needles and pain but after doing IVF I could probably cope! I'd love to look less tired and be able to wear no make up without feeling very self conscious, though I know there are risks and it is a major thing to be considering.

Do I accept that everyone ages and maybe this is just the way I'm ageing or do I go for a consultation?

I had this done an hour ago so I'm still bruised but I think it does deflect from the under eye area.

Barely any bruising at all, he’s done a fantastic job

He is very good. I had botox in my forehead as well, hence the little pin pricks. I probably sound filler obsessed but I go once a year maybe, sometimes with a top up in between. It's pricey but if you are going to get anything done, do it properly, research carefully, or not at all.

Me and my friend do each other’s botox! (Disclaimer: we are both nurses trained in aesthetics and follow all legislation) I could do with some filler in my nasolabial folds but I keep wimping out!

See!

I'd love to have a friend who was able to do my botox. It's so expensive. Yes a skilled nurse or a doctor for botox only. I can't believe beauticians offer it. So much can go wrong with the facial muscles.

They don't look bad at all. Filler is good for that area though I've not had it there.

Don’t even get me started on beauty therapists doing toxins or fillings I’m a member of the British Aesthetics Nurses Group and we lobby government to ban the practice. Having said that, some feel that nurses shouldn’t do it either. I disagree, I was trained at Harley Academy alongside dentists and plastic surgeons, we have the same training as doctors and for the most part have more experience of giving injections. But I’m biased of course

I'd opt for a nurse over a dentist for my botox or filler. I'm probably going to have more invasive surgery in the future, so I've built up a relationship with the surgeon I go to. But absolutely a skilled nurse is a good choice for botox or filler.
I think the reason most people think lip filler looks awful is because the only time they notice it, it's been done by a beautician.

Oops ravingroo!

Looks very natural farontothemaddingcrowd Do you mind me asking where you go? Still just researching at this stage, watched some you tube videos and was a bit alarmed by the needle so near the eye! Did it hurt? And can you actually feel the filler in your face?

Tim Blackburn is my surgeon. He's based in Cheshire. It hurts slightly but he is so skilled that any pain is minimised.
He was telling me today that nigella Lawson would have fat transfers not filler

You can feel it in the lips but not anywhere else

Go for it, OP - just make sure you do lots of research, have a detailed consultation, completely understand the process and trust the doctor. Better still if you can get a personal recommendation from someone who's had same thing done and got a great result . Good luck

Faro - fabulous job. Can I ask if you have cheek fillers too? Your cheeks are fab too.

In the interests of honesty, I have cheek, lip and under eye fillers

Thanks farontothemaddingcrowd I'm in London so I guess I would look at places on Harley Street! Told my DH what I was considering and he looked really upset and really doesn't want me to do anything.

As a total contrast, has anybody decided against having fillers (after considering them) and thought "this is just how I look, sod it!"? We are all going to age and maybe my dark hollows are the next person's jowls?!

I hate them though 😉

I've had tear trough fillers. I get them done every year and it's 400.

. I've inherited the sunken eyes and my uncontrollable thyroid has thinned and darkened the skin so much that I looked horrific. Turning point was my mum telling me I looked like I hadn't slept in a week and a pupil asking me how I got my black eye.
It's not a miracle cure. It makes a huge difference but in that it allows me to put concealer under my eyes without it sinking in or patching. I certainly still wouldnt leave the house without makeup under my eyes!
The filler can dissolve quickly depending on your metabolism. I.had to go for a small top up around 8 months after the procedure, but this shouldn't be an issue if you go with a reputable clinic.
Go for it. I wouldn't say it's changed my life but I feel so much more confident now.

Does tear trough filler reduce black circles or is it just for the hollows?

The black circles are to do with the blood vessels under the skin, so you can't get rid of them really other than using a good concealer.

I had tear trough fillers about 3.5 weeks ago. I was warned that there could be bruising. Sure enough, I got massive bruising under one eye. I think the practitioner hit a small vein as the blood blister can up immediately and then I had a proper black eye for a fortnight. I still have a little dark crescent shaped mark under that eye. My practitioner said at the check up the other day it was still bruising and would go away. I'm not so sure, I can see little broken veins under the skin.

However, on balance, even if the dark crescent mark stays (I bloody hope it doesn't) I think the result is better than the hollows I had before. I can cover up a dark mark with makeup, hollows can't be covered up and make you look tired all the time.

I'd been thinking about doing it for a couple of years before I took the leap of faith. I wasn't expecting miracles, just to look fresher and less knackered! It cost £380 by the way.

I sympathize theslothismyspiritanim, when I went for my IVF egg collection I wasn't allowed to wear make up and the nurse asked me if I was tired. It's so annoying/embarassing. Felt like saying "actually this is just how I look!" Hope the mark goes away DarklyDreamingDexter, that doesn't sound good.

Can anyone tell me how painful it is?

It's not sore but can be quite uncomfortable.
The Dr will make a small incision towards the outside of your eye, by the cheekbone. Little insertion/tugging of the needle as it moves into position and then it's done. First time was a little nippy as I had "particularly tight skin"! But it's genuinely fine.
I don't think people really understand how terribly self-conscious it can make you. The darkness is still there but at least now the Hollows are filled, I can cover the darkness with make up.

Yes, "a little nippy" is a good way to describe it! Mild discomfort rather than pain...but you have to be ok with someone coming very close to your eyes with a sharp object, which isn't everyone's cup of tea!

My friend is based in Hornchurch and visited Harrow Dental for fillers and said they were brilliant there. Great team and her results look great. www.harrowdentalpractice.co.uk/dermal-fillers.html

Can you tell me where you went? As I’m looking at getting it done.