When you first discover small lines or wrinkles growing under your eyes, you immediately get unsettled. Those once-smooth under-eye areas suddenly develop creases, leaving you wondering if it's time for some help. Should you use Botox to smooth out those lines, or would fillers be a better way to restore lost volume?
With so much conflicting information online and innumerable 'Botox on eyelids before and after' photographs circulating, selecting the appropriate treatment can be difficult.
This guide will explain all you need to know about under eyes wrinkles — botox or filler, including what causes them and which treatment is best for you. Read on!
Understanding Undereye Wrinkles
Not all wrinkles are created equally. Aging, sun exposure, dehydration, and even facial emotions can all cause fine lines on the sensitive skin around your eyes.
Over time, collagen loss and frequent movement deepen these lines, making them more visible whether you smile or frown. Some people also develop under-eye bags when they smile, which makes them appear older.
The best therapy for your wrinkles is determined by the type you have. Would under eyes wrinkles botox or filler treatment be the right choice for you?
What Causes Under-Eye Wrinkles?
Your eyes consist of extremely delicate skin which makes it prone to aging, environmental damage, loss of volume, and the effects of excessive facial movements.
The under-eye region also lacks enough supportive structures like collagen and fat so it becomes more susceptible to fine lines, drooping, and hollowness.
Here are the main factors that produce under-eye wrinkles:
● Aging processes and decreased collagen production lead to skin drooping which results in wrinkles.
● The repeated motions of squinting, smiling, and frowning will deepen overall skin wrinkles naturally with time.
● The skin ages prematurely from UV ray exposure as it breaks down collagen and triggers early wrinkle formation.
● Skin dryness along with insufficient skin care practices results in a muted and crepe-like appearance of under-eye skin.
● Genetics plays a role in the development of under-eye wrinkles since several genetic variations lead to quicker skin aging among different individuals.
● The combination of smoking, low food quality, and insufficient sleep accelerates wrinkle development.
Depending on the underlying reason for your under eyes wrinkles botox or filler, which one would you choose?
Botox for Under Eye Wrinkles
Botox is a popular and commonly used therapy for below-the-eye creases. But what does it do, and is it the best solution for you?
It is a neuromodulator that briefly calms the muscles used in repetitive facial movements. These movements including squinting, smiling, and frowning, cause dynamic wrinkles, or fine lines that emerge when your face moves.
These creases become permanent over time as your skin loses elasticity. Botox helps smooth them out before they deepen, making it an effective treatment.
However, Botox does not provide volume, so if your under-eye wrinkles are brought on by hollowness or volume loss, fillers may be a better option.
Who Should Consider Botox?
It is most suited for people with beneath eye creases caused by muscle activity rather than volume loss. It functions best for:
● Small creases that emerge during facial motions — if your folds form when you grin, squint, or frown, Botulinum helps prevent them from deepening.
● Early-stage under-eye wrinkles. If your lines are still quite moderate, Botox can prevent them from becoming more noticeable.
● Those seeking a quick, non-invasive solution. Botox injections are quick and require little to no downtime, making them an ideal choice for anyone searching for improved skin texture without committing to a big treatment.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox is injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle, a circular muscle that surrounds the eye. This muscle is involved in squinting and blinking, and repeated activity causes small lines.
This is how the process works:
● A professional injector strategically puts Botox under the eyes to relax the muscles.
● This eliminates excessive movement, which smoothes dynamic wrinkles and keeps new ones from emerging. Perfect for answering, “How to remove eyelid wrinkles.”
● The benefits develop gradually over 3 to 7 days, with complete results noticeable in two weeks.
Botox does not cover deep creases between eyebrows hollowness, thus it is frequently combined with fillers for more profound under-eye renewal.
How long should Botox injections last?
It is not a permanent remedy for under-eye creases, but it does produce noticeable results for 3 to 4 months.
The duration of the benefits varies depending on individual metabolism, muscle strength, and lifestyle choices.
After a few months, muscular mobility slowly returns, and wrinkles may emerge, therefore requiring Botox touch-ups that should be performed every 3-4 months to preserve the results.
For those wondering, "How long should Botox injections last?" Continuous maintenance and skillful injections are the keys to increasing durability.
Potential Botox Side Effects Under the Eyes
Botox is considered harmless when administered by a professional practitioner, however, there are some possible adverse consequences such as:
● Some individuals experience weird feelings in eyes after botox, a heaviness, or an odd sensation in the treated area. This happens when the muscles are temporarily loosened, which can feel strange at first.
● Mild bruises or inflammation at the point of injection is common and usually fades in a couple of days.
● Botox injections can induce temporary eyelid drooping (ptosis) if administered incorrectly or in undesired places. This risk is reduced when administered by a competent injector.
● Temporary dry eyes or excessive crying - Some individuals suffer mild eye discomfort or alterations in tear production, which usually resolves in a few weeks.
Who should avoid Botox?
● Individuals with pre-existing muscular issues, botulinum toxin sensitivities, or excessively loose skin in the under-eye area may not be suitable candidates.
● It is effective for small creases, but it does not alleviate hollowness or deep wrinkles, which is where fillers come in.
Fillers for Under Eye Wrinkles
Unlike Botulinum, which relaxes muscles, dermal injectables enhance fullness to reduce creases and regain plumpness.
The most popular under-eye fillers are hyaluronic acid (HA) injectables like Restylane and Juvederm. These fillers replicate the natural moisturizing substances in your skin, delivering a rapid plumping effect and reducing the appearance of:
● Slight wrinkles and creases below the eyes.
● Hollowness and deep tear troughs around the eyes.
● Uneven areas, reducing under-eye bags when you smile.
Because under-eye aging is frequently caused by both volume loss and muscle mobility, many patients use Botox with fillers for best results.
Who Should Consider Fillers?
Fillers are most effective in treating under-eye wrinkles caused by volume loss rather than muscle movement. You can consider fillers if:
● If you have sunken eyes, deep tear troughs, or you detect a hollow appearance, fillers might help you regain a more youthful contour.
● You have under-eye bags when you smile. Instead of puffiness produced by fat pads, some patients develop shadowy under-eye hollows that fillers can treat.
● Static wrinkles persist on your face even at repose. Unlike dynamic wrinkles, which are treated with Botox, static wrinkles are caused by collagen depletion and require fillers to smooth out.
How do fillers work?
Fillers operate instantaneously to fill the under-eye region and smooth wrinkles. The process includes:
● Injecting a gel-like hyaluronic acid filler beneath the skin to target regions of volume loss.
● The increased volume lifts and fills the under-eye hollows, decreasing the appearance of wrinkles.
● The results continue to improve for two weeks as the filler settles and combines with your natural tissues.
Unlike Botox, filler benefits are noticeable immediately after treatment.
How long do under-eye fillers last?
Under-eye fillers last longer than Botox, often 6 to 18 months. The duration depends on:
● The type of filler used (thicker fillers tend to stay longer).
● Individual metabolism (some persons process fillers faster than others).
● Sun exposure, smoking habits, and hydration levels are all lifestyle influences.
Most patients need touch-ups every 12 months to keep their under-eyes smooth and young.
Under-eye Fillers Risks and Side Effects
While under-eye fillers are generally safe, there are some dangers and possible adverse effects, such as:
● Mild puffiness and redness develop commonly at the injection area but should fade within two days.
● The Tyndall effect develops because fillers are positioned too near to skin surface leading the area below to appear blue. Knowledge of injection techniques and injector skills stands as an absolute necessity.
● Placing fillers at improper injection sites results in the formation of visible lumps together with an unpleasant cosmetic outcome. Expert injector skills ensure outcome products that have an even seamless appearance.
● Blood vessel injury occurs rarely, as filler material unintentionally enters blood vessels, causing circulation blockage and associated skin wounds. Your choice of an experienced injector is the most essential factor.
Important: Fillers, unlike Botox, can be removed if necessary using hyaluronidase, an enzyme that destroys hyaluronic acid.
Botox vs Filler for Under Eye Wrinkles: Which Should You Choose?
A variety of criteria influence the decision between Botox and fillers for under-eye wrinkles, including the cause of the creases, the type of results desired, and the length of the effects.
Both therapies achieve different aims, and understanding the difference will help you choose the best approach for your situation.
Choose Botox If:
1. You have dynamic wrinkles resulting from facial expressions.
It works best for tiny lines created by repeated muscle action, often known as dynamic wrinkles. When you move your face, these wrinkles appear. Examples include:
● When you squint, crow's feet appear at the outer corners of your eyes.
● Fine creases behind your eyes appear when you smile.
● Continuous muscle contractions cause expression lines to deepen over time.
It works by relaxing the muscles responsible for these motions, which helps prevent dynamic wrinkles from deepening over time.
2. You want a speedy fix with minimum downtime.
One of the most notable benefits of Botox is that it is a quick, easy procedure with no or little discomfort. The injection takes less than 15 minutes, and most patients may resume their normal activities straight once.
There may be bruising or redness at the location of the injection, but this usually diminishes in a couple of hours. Botox, unlike other cosmetic procedures, doesn't need any downtime or special maintenance, making it an excellent alternative for busy people.
3. You don't need volume replacement—only wrinkle prevention
Botox is not a filler, thus it does not add volume to the skin. Instead, it inhibits muscle movement to smooth wrinkles and keep them from deepening. It may not be sufficient to treat under-eye creases caused by hollowness or lack of volume.
However, if your primary worry is small lines caused by movement and you do not have considerable volume loss, Botox can help you achieve a smoother, younger-looking appearance.
Choose Fillers If:
1. You possess extensive tear troughs or dark circles
As we age, we lose fat and collagen in the under-eye area, resulting in sunken tear troughs and shadowing that make the eyes appear fatigued. Fillers can help by plumping up empty spots that make you look tired even when you have rested well.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, are often used to:
● Fill up deep tear troughs to achieve a more youthful appearance.
● Reduce the shadows and dark circles produced by volume loss.
● Smooth down any tiny creases that are noticeable even when your face is resting.
Unlike Botox, which simply minimizes creases, fillers quickly restore volume, making them the better choice if your under-eye aging is triggered by fat loss rather than the contraction of muscles.
2. You get under-eye bags when you smile.
When some people smile, they get puffy under-eye bags, which make them appear older or fatigued. This happens when there is an imbalance between fat pad dispersion and diminished volume in the under-eye region.
Cheek fillers to help eye bags can help smooth out the contours of the under-eye area, making transitions easier, and minimizing the appearance of under-eye bags.
3. You want a long-lasting solution with instant results
Unlike Botox, which takes several days to show results, fillers produce rapid results. Hollows will be filled, wrinkles smoothed, and dark circles decreased immediately after treatment.
Furthermore, fillers stay far longer than Botulinum depending on the kind of injectable used and how your body reacts to break it down. Results can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months, making it a more long-term option for under-eye wrinkles and volume loss.
The Final Takeaway
When selecting whether to use botox or filler to treat under-eye wrinkles, you must first evaluate whether the creases are caused by movement or volume loss. Botox is best for small lines caused by expression, whereas fillers are effective for hollowness and deep creases.
If you're not sure, a visit with an experienced injector can assist. If you're thinking about other cosmetic procedures, don't forget to compare forehead filler vs Botox for a more balanced, young appearance.
Smoothing under eye wrinkles is very feasible, regardless of the strategy you take—you simply need the proper one!
Are you ready to smooth away under-eye wrinkles?
Try Diaminy's Hyaluronic Acid Filler! If you want a full, youthful under eye area without surgery. Our fillers are designed to provide natural-looking volume, long-lasting hydration, and smooth wrinkle repair in a single session, allowing you to feel rejuvenated and well-rested.
