I have dark circles and hollow eyes. Are orbital rim implants a safe and effective solution?
Dr. Steinsapir typically uses orbital rim implants to help reconstruct the midface of those who have undergone prior eyelid surgery and are unhappy with the results. These days, hyaluronic acid fillers have replaced many surgeries to address the dark circles and hollow eyes. The desire to have a permanent surgery to cure the dark circles is understandable but not realistic. There is no permanent cure for this type of problem. Any surgeon who promises permanent removal of dark circles is telling you a story, deceiving themselves, or both.
Orbital rim implants for reconstruction
Cheek augmentation often only serves to exaggerate the nasojugal groove and accentuates volume deficiencies of the lower eyelid. The filler treatments can be modified, and adjusted to account for how the soft tissue of this area changes over time. For this reason, Dr. Steinsapir prefers to use fillers for under-eye circles. There are times, however when use of orbital rim implants can be beneficial. Many lower eyelid problems benefit from midface surgery because the lower eyelid is intimately related to the cheek mass that tends to fall over time. Virtually any lower eyelid situation that has not responded to or has been made worse by more traditional techniques needs to be carefully assessed to determine if midface ptosis or maxillary hypoplasia are contributing to the anatomic challenges. If surgery is appropriate, a vertical midface lift with a hand-carved orbital rim implant can greatly improve your appearance.
Restylane can help
Dr. Steinsapir recommends Restylane® as the best under eye product. Service lasts about a year or two. You are a good candidate for under eye Restylane treatment if you have dark circles under your eyes or hollow facial features that make your eyes look tired and aged. Even eyes with bags from lower eyelid fat can be filled in many cases to dramatically improve the appearance. Restylane can restore volume under the eyes to give you a naturally youthful, soft, and alert appearance.
Restylane is usually the best choice for the under eye area because the skin in this region is very thin. With so little room to hide a permanent filler, the margin for error here is low. Permanent products including grafted fat can’t be adjusted. This is why a flexible, easily adjustable filler is essential. Restylane is exceptionally appropriate for treating dark circles under the eyes because of it is moldable once injected yet is firm enough to hold its place. Products that are too smooth have a tendency to drift after placement. This can be helpful in certain placement situations but not in the lower eyelid. If you experience any irregularity in the smoothness of your skin after treatment, Restylane is easily adjusted with an office treatment.
Unlike surgery for orbital rim implants, healing from an under-eye Restylane treatment is swift, and you can usually resume normal activities within hours of treatment. You will likely experience mild swelling for thirty to forty hours of treatment. Both men and women can hide this slight redness immediately or within a few hours with some cover-up makeup. Bruising is a concern and for this reason it is best to avoid items that increase the risk of bruising. When you schedule a treatment, ask about these issues to learn what products to avoid.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is board certified in Ophthalmology and has completed numerous fellowships, including three years of Orbit and Eyelid fellowships at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a separate two year cosmetic surgery fellowship under the auspices of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. He is widely respected for his work and has published over thirty scientific papers and eight book chapters. He is a true innovator, having developed Microdroplet™ BOTOX®, a unique patented method for injecting BOTOX®, Deepfill™ under-eye Restylane® treatment to address the dark circle and under-eye hollow for up to a year without the need for retreatment. Dr. Steinsapir is one of the foremost eyelid surgeons in the world. He is on staff at the UCLA Ronald Regan Hospital and Medical Center where he is an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute. He is also on staff at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center where he serves as an attending surgeon. He is in practice in West Los Angeles and is in high demand by discerning individuals from Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Southern California. Many of his patients also come to see him from around the country and the world. Very few doctors offer the level of skill and expertise he brings to cosmetic surgery and aesthetic restorative surgery to address prior unsatisfactory eyelid surgery. Please contact us today to learn more about evidence-based treatment options with Dr. Steinsapir for proven results.
