You've probably seen dramatic before-and-after photos all over Instagram, and if you tend to load up on concealer (open in new tab) because you look like a baby Grinch first thing in the morning, maybe you've already considered it We have. We're talking about under-eye fillers, temporary professional treatments designed to treat sunken, dark, or tired-looking eye areas. (Open in new tab)

The most basic overview' Your provider will inject a filler - often a hyaluronic acid-based formula such as Restylane or Belotero - with a needle into your eye and cheek area to improve the appearance of dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. Fillers are temporary and your doctor will tell you how long the specific filler used will last. Although very rare, there are risks. In particular, if injected into critical blood vessels, blood flow to the skin and eyes may be impeded. Nevertheless, complications are extremely unlikely and the procedure is generally safe and even routine. We asked New York-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner how it is done.

Under-eye fillers are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but they may improve certain problems." Dark circles can appear due to true pigmentation, or they can appear due to shadows created by changes in facial volume. Chronic inflammation, skin friction, genetics, and even sun exposure can promote pigmentation under the eyes," says Zeichner.

True hyperpigmentation is best treated with the same types of ingredients used to treat facial blemishes, such as vitamin C (opens in new tab), he says. This type of circle is best improved with injectable fillers that restore volume under the eyes, eliminating shadows and giving a brighter, more restored appearance.

Your facial fat pads (which, apart from your skills, help give your face shape) can redistribute as you get older, which can create new shadows and valleys. In other words, the shifting structure of your face may make you the perfect client to receive filler.

"The puffiness under the eyes is not the problem, but rather the valleys that exist underneath," Zeichner explains. 'Fillers can be used to smooth out the transition so that the break in the felt pad between the under eye and the cheek itself is not visible.' It fills in the valleys." According to Zeichner, people with longer or oval-shaped faces tend to have more problems under their eyes than those with round or heart-shaped faces.

"I personally always address the cheeks and under the eyes as one unit," Zeichner noted, adding that simply injecting around the eyes can look unnatural and more puffy.

"The area under the eyes is probably the most technically challenging part of the entire face, since it is important to maintain natural facial contours."

"The COVID-19 craze has cut us all off from the digital network; the more time we spend on Zoom, the more regularly we see ourselves in high definition.

"It's easy to be critical of ourselves when we see ourselves all day on the computer. The facemask protects us from COVID-19 infection, but it has changed the way we look at ourselves. The lower half of our face is completely covered by the face mask, which magnifies the defects in the upper part of our face," he says. Staring at a screen all day is also not a good idea. Squinting into blue light makes you look even more tired.

Even if you're inspired by your favorite TikTok creators and interested in this treatment, remember that the camera doesn't show much nuance. 'Don't be fooled by the videos and images on social media,' he warns. What looks pretty in a photo is very different from what looks natural in real life." The face must look natural not only from the front but also from the side."

The cost of under-eye fillers ranges from approximately $800 to $3,000, depending on the type and amount of filler used. When choosing a provider, look for a reputable, board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who is familiar with under-eye treatments.