Under-Eye Circles & Hollows (Tear Trough) Treatment Vancouver
Under-Eye Circles & Hollows (Tear Trough) Treatment in Vancouver
Tired-looking eyes, dark circles, and hollowing under the eyes can make you look exhausted even when you’re well-rested. At IV League Injections by Vicki Nguyen, RN, located within Six Clinic in Vancouver, we assess what’s actually creating the shadow — because the under-eye is one area where the wrong treatment can make things worse.
Not All Dark Circles Are the Same — and Filler Isn’t Always the Answer
“Dark circles” can mean several different things, and they’re treated differently. Hollowing (volume loss that casts a shadow) is what tear trough filler is designed for. Pigmentation (a genuine brown discolouration) responds to skincare and pigment treatments — filler won’t fix colour. Thin skin showing the vessels underneath (a bluish tint) and puffiness are different again, and filler can sometimes worsen these if it’s the wrong call. The tear trough is one of the most technique-sensitive areas of the face, so the most important step is figuring out which type you have before anyone injects anything.
What Causes Under-Eye Circles & Hollows?
- Volume loss and hollowing with age (creating a shadowed trough)
- Genuine pigmentation of the under-eye skin
- Naturally thin skin showing underlying blood vessels
- Puffiness or fat prominence
- Fatigue, dehydration, and lifestyle factors
Our Approach
Treatment is matched to the cause — and sometimes the honest answer is that a given treatment won’t help your particular type.
Tear Trough Filler
- For hollowing and shadowing from volume loss
- Restores support to soften the trough and reduce the shadow
- A precise, conservative technique in a delicate area — more on dermal fillers here
Skin Quality & Pigment
- For pigmentation and thin, crepey under-eye skin
- PRP and skincare to improve skin quality over time — more on PRP
- Pigment-focused care where colour is the issue
Are You a Candidate for Tear Trough Filler?
Under-eye filler works well in one specific situation: true volume loss. When the under-eye has genuinely deflated — losing the fat and structural support that once sat there — a hollow forms and casts a shadow. Replacing that lost volume with a small, precise amount of filler softens the trough and reduces the shadow. It is not a treatment for pigment, puffiness, or fluid, and because the tear trough is one of the most technique-sensitive areas of the face, being a suitable candidate matters here more than almost anywhere else. This is why every under-eye treatment starts with an honest assessment.
You may be a good candidate if…
- Your concern is genuine hollowing or a shadowed trough from volume loss or ageing
- Your under-eye skin is reasonably healthy — not extremely thin or heavily discoloured
- You have realistic goals and want a natural, refreshed (not "done") result
- You are in good general health with no contraindications (confirmed at consultation)
Filler may not be right — or we may advise against it — if…
- Your main issue is pigmentation (brown discolouration) rather than a shadow — filler won't change colour
- You have persistent puffiness, under-eye bags, or fluid retention, which filler can worsen
- You have prominent malar bags or festoons, or a history of significant under-eye swelling
- You have very thin skin where filler risks looking bluish or uneven
If you're not a good candidate, we'll tell you honestly and point you toward what will actually help — rather than treating and hoping.
Under-Eye PRP — When Filler Isn't the Answer
For concerns that filler cannot fix — thin or crepey skin, fine texture, and certain types of dark circles — PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is often the better tool. PRP uses growth factors drawn from a small sample of your own blood to gradually improve skin thickness, tone, and quality in the delicate under-eye area over a series of sessions. It can be used on its own for people who aren't filler candidates, or alongside filler when both lost volume and skin quality need addressing. Learn more about PRP therapy here.
What to Expect
Under-eye filler is done conservatively, often building gradually rather than all at once, because it’s easier to add than to over-correct. Temporary swelling or bruising can occur and settles over a week or two. If you’re not a good candidate for filler, we’ll tell you honestly and suggest what will actually help. Individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will filler fix my dark circles?
It depends on the cause. If your circles come from hollowing and shadow, tear trough filler can make a real difference. If they’re from pigmentation or thin skin showing the vessels, filler won’t fix the colour — and could even draw attention to it — so those types are better treated other ways. That’s why assessment comes first.
Is under-eye filler safe?
The tear trough is a delicate, technique-sensitive area, so results depend heavily on careful assessment and a conservative approach by an experienced injector. When it’s the right treatment for your anatomy and done properly, it’s a well-established option. We’ll only recommend it if you’re a suitable candidate.
How long does tear trough filler last?
Results in this area often last around a year or more, though it varies by product, technique, and individual metabolism. We’ll discuss what to expect for your specific plan at your consultation.
What if my main issue is puffiness?
Puffiness is different from hollowing, and filler isn’t always the right answer — in some cases it can accentuate it. We’ll assess whether your concern is volume, puffiness, pigment, or a mix, and recommend accordingly, including when something falls outside what we treat.
Is there downtime or bruising?
Temporary swelling or bruising can happen in this area and usually settles within one to two weeks. Many people plan treatment with a little buffer before big events for this reason.
What if I’m not a candidate for filler?
We’ll tell you honestly and point you toward what will actually help — whether that’s skin-quality treatments, pigment care, or simply lifestyle factors. We’d rather decline treatment than deliver a result that disappoints you.
Book Your Consultation
If tired-looking eyes are bothering you, start with an assessment and we’ll identify what’s really behind your under-eye concern.
Disclaimer
Individual results may vary. A consultation is required to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.