Under-Eye Hollows & Fat Protrusion Part 4 - Why Do Some Look Pretty While Others Look Awkward?

There is a question most frequently asked by those considering under-eye treatments.

‘Why is it that with the exact same under-eye filler, some people look natural while others look awkward?’

In reality, the under-eye area is the part of the face where treatment results vary the most.

In this article, we will summarize the reasons why under-eye treatment results can look unnatural and the standards to avoid this.

1. Treating Only the Under-Eye Area

This is a case where only the under-eye was treated, showing a slight Tyndall effect and an unnatural boundary with the front cheek.

The under-eye is not an independent area.

It is an area connected as one continuous structure with the front cheeks, nasolabial folds, and mid-face.

If this connection is ignored and only the under-eye is filled,

the boundaries become more prominent,

and unnatural shadows can actually be created.

Therefore, what is important is not just filling the under-eye, but looking at the connected structure of the face.

Natural improvement is achieved when treatments consider the flow of the entire face, including the under-eyes, front cheeks, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. Since our face does not age in just one specific area, partial volume treatments are highly likely to look awkward, especially for older age groups.

2. Excessive Use of Filler

A case where an excessive amount of filler was used under the eyes, causing a bulging appearance (w cosmetic surgery).

The under-eye is not an area where ‘the more you put in, the better it gets.’

On the contrary,

it can look bulging,

make the under-eye fat appear to protrude even more,

and result in a tired-looking impression.

The under-eye looks most natural when it is left looking slightly under-filled.

3. Ignoring Skin Condition

For under-eye skin that has many fine lines, looks wrinkled, and appears dry even when expressionless, elasticity treatments must be performed.

If the under-eye skin is

thin,

has many fine lines,

and lacks elasticity,

proceeding with only filler

can make the skin look overly stretched

or actually make wrinkles stand out more.

In this case, an approach that first improves the skin condition is necessary.

4. Targeting the Wrong Depth (Layer)

The most important factor in under-eye treatments is depth.

If injected into a shallow layer,

the Tyndall effect,

lumpiness,

and visibility of the product can occur.

Conversely, if placed at the proper depth, even the same amount will look much more natural.

5. Ignoring Sagging

The under-eye is often not just hollow but also accompanied by sagging.

This is a case where a treatment for sagging should have been performed simultaneously. It would have been better to prioritize sagging improvement before even considering filler.

If only filler is applied in this state,

it can look heavier

and the under-eye can become bulging.

In such cases, lifting should be considered first.

Approach in Actual Clinical Practice

Under-eye treatments are much more often approached comprehensively rather than being resolved with a single procedure.

For example:

Hollowness + Thin Skin → Filler or Collagen Booster or Volume Threads + Skin Booster + Radiofrequency

Hollowness + Sagging → Lifting + Filler or Collagen Booster or Volume Threads

Skin Problem Focus → Radiofrequency + Skin Booster

As such, the approach must vary depending on the type.

Conclusion

The reason under-eye treatment results look awkward is not because too much was done, but because it was done incorrectly.

For the under-eye area,

you must look at the structure,

divide the layers,

consider the skin condition,

and combine it with lifting if necessary to achieve natural results.

One-Line Summary

For under-eye treatments, ‘how and by whom it is done’ is more important than ‘what is done.’