Filling the valley of tears with hyaluronic acid injections is among the most common requests in aesthetic eye medicine. In Geneva, this procedure is gaining increasing interest due to its effectiveness, discretion, and often very natural results when well performed. However, as with any medical procedure, it is legitimate to ask questions before undergoing it. What are the patients’ opinions ? What do doctors think of this technique ? What are its strengths, limitations, and potential disappointments ?
This page provides a summary based on objective medical opinions and concrete feedback from patients who have undergone this treatment. The goal is to provide information on filling the valley of tears with hyaluronic acid.
The majority of patients who have undergone this procedure describe a visible improvement in their gaze, which they consider natural, subtle, and enhancing. Their initial motivation is often related to the appearance of a hollow under the eye, persistent shadows, or a tired look that they feel does not reflect their true state.
After the injection, patients report a more rested gaze, a noticeable reduction of the hollow, and a feeling of lightness in the face, without a frozen effect.
Many patients emphasize that the change is noticed by those around them without the procedure being identifiable. This is precisely what the vast majority seek: a discreet yet visible result, faithful to their morphology, without altering their expression.
From the patient’s perspective, the experience itself is often well tolerated. The procedure is quick, minimally painful thanks to the use of small cannulas or fine needles, and does not require anesthesia.
Some patients describe a slight sensation of pressure, but no real pain. The absence of social downtime is also highly appreciated: the majority of people resume their activities the same day or the next.
Minor side effects may be reported: slight swelling, localized redness, or a small, occasional bruise. However, these remain temporary.
Based on feedback from the clinic’s patients, it can be stated that satisfaction is high, provided that the indication was correctly determined. The most positive opinions come from patients whose hollow was moderate to pronounced, without significant skin laxity.
Patients who report being particularly satisfied often describe a renewed self-confidence, a feeling of harmony between their physical appearance and their inner perception, as well as the pleasure of seeing their gaze appear more luminous and relaxed, without undergoing a surgical procedure. However, for some more complex cases – particularly patients with very thin skin, marked asymmetries, or a history of aesthetic treatments – opinions may be more nuanced. This caution is not so much due to the technique used but to the fact that the obtained result did not always match the idealized image the patient had in mind. That is why precise information and a personalized assessment before treatment are essential.
From a medical perspective, opinions are generally favorable, but cautious. Hyaluronic acid is a safe and versatile tool, yet the infra-orbital area is one of the most delicate to treat. It requires a perfect mastery of facial anatomy, rigorous selection of the injected product, and great precision in the procedure.
Doctors consider that when all conditions are met — suitable candidate, appropriate product, correct technique — the result is often remarkable. However, they emphasize that this injection cannot be performed systematically or standardized.
They also caution against unrealistic expectations: the treatment improves, softens, and harmonizes, but cannot completely “erase” certain deep or pigmented dark circles. The medical opinion thus aligns with that of satisfied patients: the success of the treatment relies on discretion, not transformation.
If we consider patient feedback and doctors’ opinions, several elements regularly emerge as strengths :
Conversely, the aspects most often mentioned as limitations or as points requiring particular attention concern certain results that may not fully meet expectations, sometimes transient effects, or anatomical particularities that make the treatment more delicate :
Any aesthetic procedure can lead to dissatisfaction, and it is essential to consider it with clarity. In the case of filling the valley of tears, the rare negative opinions often concern :
It should be remembered that a good result is sometimes more subtle than the patient had imagined. The eye quickly becomes accustomed to the improvement, to the point of minimizing its impact. This is why the work of comparing before/after photos is so valuable in follow-up.
Finally, when the technique is poorly mastered, the product poorly chosen, or the face inadequately examined, complications can occur. In these cases, care by an experienced doctor generally allows for effective correction, highlighting the crucial importance of choosing the right physician.
The scientific literature dedicated to filling the valley of tears with hyaluronic acid is now abundant. Numerous clinical studies as well as specialized reviews confirm the effectiveness of this technique, provided it is indicated with discernment and performed in a strictly medical setting. The most rigorous publications report a notable improvement in the appearance of the valley of tears, accompanied by a high patient satisfaction rate – often above 80 % – particularly when the physician uses a lowly cross-linked, minimally hydrophilic hyaluronic acid specifically designed for the peri-orbital area.
The quality of the injection technique also appears to be a determining factor. Methods based on deep boluses, the use of fine cannulas, and precise selection of the injection plane help limit the risk of complications, including persistent swelling, the Tyndall effect, or the formation of subcutaneous nodules.
Furthermore, scientific studies emphasize the transient yet durable nature of the result, generally estimated between nine and fifteen months, and report overall very satisfactory tolerance. All of these data confirm the legitimacy of this procedure, provided it is performed by trained and experienced physicians.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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