The valley of tears is a particularly sensitive area of the face, where signs of fatigue and skin laxity sometimes appear early. The injection of hyaluronic acid in this region aims to correct an unsightly hollow located between the inner corner of the eye and the cheekbone, giving the face a rested and younger appearance. But beyond the technique, what patients are legitimately interested in are the results: what can be expected concretely before and after the injection ? When does one observe a change ? What is the real progression in the days and weeks that follow ?
This page provides an objective overview of the before/after results of a hyaluronic acid injection in the valley of tears, based on current medical data.
Before any injection, a thorough medical examination is conducted to analyze the valley of tears in a personalized manner. This area may present a more or less pronounced hollow depending on several factors: age, skin quality and thickness, genetics, and volume loss due to local fat atrophy.
The reasons for consultation are varied: tired-looking eyes, persistent shadows under the eyes, sad expression, asymmetry between the two sides of the face.
At this stage, the exchange between the doctor and the patient plays a central role. It allows for precisely understanding aesthetic expectations and setting a realistic goal: reduce the hollow, soften the shadow, and harmonize the transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek. This thorough evaluation also determines whether a localized correction of the valley of tears is sufficient, or if a more comprehensive approach is preferable, including, for example, treatment of the cheekbones or dark circles.
The result is visible immediately after the injection, as soon as the patient leaves the clinic. The hollow is reduced, the valley of tears appears filled, and the eyes look more open and brighter. The transformation is often subtle but noticeable, especially when the treatment is well performed with a suitable product.
However, the result observed immediately after the injection is not yet final. Slight swelling may appear in the hours that follow, giving the impression of a greater filling than will actually be the case. It is therefore necessary to wait a few days for the product to stabilize and for the final result to be properly appreciated.
During the first 24 to 72 hours, some patients may experience moderate swelling, slight redness or tenderness to the touch, and sometimes localized bruising.
These effects are temporary and do not affect the final result. They fade spontaneously within a few days, without the need for social avoidance.
From the 7th day, the result of the injection reaches a noticeable stage of stability. The hyaluronic acid gradually integrates into the tissues, and the filling effect improves. The initial hollow is smoothed, the under-eye shadow is reduced, and the eyes look rested.
It is also at this stage that any residual asymmetry can be identified. If necessary, a minor touch-up is performed, most often starting from the second week.
The result becomes clearly more natural, without any overfilled effect or skin tension. The eyes look rested, without the face appearing altered.
The final result is generally assessed 3 to 4 weeks after the injection. This is when tissue integration is optimal, and the disappearance of swelling allows for an accurate evaluation of the aesthetic result.
The expected outcome is characterized by a harmonious transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek, with a smooth contour, no visible irregularities or hollows, and eyes that appear noticeably brighter, free from the deep shadows typically associated with hollow under-eyes. The result is natural, without facial stiffness or alteration of expression.
When properly indicated and precisely performed, this correction provides a true aesthetic benefit: the eyes look rested, more open, subtly refreshed. Those around the patient notice an improvement without necessarily suspecting an aesthetic procedure — a discreet, balanced result, in line with the expectations of the majority of patients.
The durability of the result depends on several factors :
On average, the result lasts between 9 and 15 months. Some patients notice a faster disappearance (6 to 8 months), while others benefit from a prolonged effect.
A new session can be considered as soon as the hollow reappears. However, reinjecting too early is not recommended: the goal is to respect the natural resorption cycle of the product and maintain aesthetic consistency over time.
A good result is primarily based on a subtle balance. It is not simply about filling a hollow, but about recreating a natural harmony between the lower eyelid, the eyes, and the cheekbone.
The criteria for a successful result are as follows :
• Natural : the face should not reveal that an injection has been performed.
• Symmetrical : the balance between the two sides of the face must be respected.
• Gradual : the outcome should follow an aesthetic continuity, without a frozen effect or abrupt transformation.
• Stable : there should be no product migration, irregularities, or visible reactions.
C’est au médecin qu’il revient d’évaluer avec précision la quantité de produit à injecter, de sélectionner une formulation d’acide hyaluronique adaptée à la finesse des tissus, et de maîtriser une technique d’injection sûre, souvent réalisée à la micro-canule ou en point profond, selon l’ anatomie du patient.
Before/after photos are often requested by patients. They allow the evolution to be visualized, the result to be objectively compared, and discussed with the doctor. However, they must be used with caution.
Each face is unique, and no result can be exactly reproduced. Photos published on the internet or social networks reflect specific cases, subject to particular lighting, angle, and expression conditions.
In consultation, a serious doctor uses before/after photos as a clinical follow-up tool, not as a promise of results. In Geneva, high-end medical establishments favor an approach based on analysis, personalization, and respect for naturalness.
L’un des premiers objectifs d’une consultation esthétique est de déterminer si l’amélioration attendue par le patient peut raisonnablement être obtenue. Dans le cas d’une injection d’acide hyaluronique dans la vallée des larmes, le médecin dispose d’une grande expérience clinique, d’un œil formé à l’analyse morphologique, et d’outils pour prédire un certain type de résultat. Toutefois, il est essentiel de rappeler qu’un traitement reste une intervention soumise à la variabilité biologique.
Le rendu final dépend notamment de la qualité des tissus, du degré de creusement initial, de la tonicité cutanée, mais aussi du métabolisme du patient, qui influence la vitesse d’intégration et de résorption du produit. Ainsi, bien que le geste soit standardisé dans sa technique, le résultat peut légèrement varier d’un patient à l’autre. C’est pourquoi le médecin ne se limite pas à “promettre un résultat”, mais accompagne le patient dans une compréhension réaliste du résultat attendu.
L’anticipation repose donc sur une évaluation minutieuse, mais toujours nuancée : elle s’appuie sur l’expérience, les données scientifiques, et une lecture fine de l’anatomie du visage. Une injection réussie est celle qui respecte cette variabilité tout en apportant une amélioration nette, visible et cohérente avec le visage.
L’injection de la vallée des larmes est souvent perçue par les patients comme une solution simple et immédiate pour effacer les signes de fatigue. Or, le rôle du médecin est justement de distinguer ce qui est esthétiquement souhaitable de ce qui est médicalement raisonnable.
Certains patients imaginent un effacement total du creux ou des cernes, alors que le traitement vise avant tout une atténuation harmonieuse du creux, sans correction excessive. Cette nuance est essentielle : le succès d’une injection dans cette zone ne réside pas dans la disparition complète d’une imperfection, mais dans l’amélioration discrète d’un regard fatigué, tout en préservant l’expression naturelle du visage.
Ce travail de pédagogie en amont permet d’éviter les déceptions. Lorsque les attentes sont bien identifiées, les patients comprennent que l’objectif n’est pas de “transformer” le visage, mais de lui rendre une cohérence, une fraîcheur, un équilibre. Dans ce contexte, la satisfaction provient autant du résultat visible que du sentiment d’être en accord avec son image.
Sometimes a patient, a few days after an injection, does not immediately perceive the benefits of the treatment. This reaction is not uncommon, especially when the result is deliberately subtle, for the sake of naturalness. The perception of change is often influenced by the way one looks at oneself, sometimes more critically than those around them.
That is why objective comparison, notably through before/after photographs taken during consultation, plays a determining role. It allows the face before treatment to be visualized, the hollow to be softened, the shadow reduced, and the gaze harmonized. This concrete visual feedback helps anchor the reality of the result in the patient’s mind.
Furthermore, the improvement felt is not limited to the aesthetic aspect. It often extends to psychological comfort: the patient feels less tired, more confident, better represented by their image. The perceived result is therefore an integral component of the outcome, just as much as the measurable visual aspect.
Even though complications are rare when a treatment is performed by an experienced doctor, it remains essential to inform the patient about what can, in some cases, indicate an inappropriate result.
Among the signs to watch for are an obviously excessive correction, giving the area a bulging or swollen appearance, persistent asymmetry not related to a natural variation of the face (all faces are asymmetrical), or a palpable irregularity to the touch. Other elements, such as swelling that does not subside after several days, or the appearance of a bluish reflection under the skin (Tyndall effect), may indicate that the product was placed too superficially.
These situations should not cause undue concern, but they require careful medical supervision. An experienced doctor will quickly identify the nature of the problem and, if necessary, propose an adjustment or correction (for example, using hyaluronidase in cases of excessive correction or poor product integration).
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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