Why lines form under the eyes
Skin around the eyes is about 0.5 mm thick, the thinnest on the face. It sits over the orbicularis oculi muscle, and sun exposure is a further driver of lines. Lines here can have more than one cause, so they are assessed before any product is chosen.
Dynamic lines are made by the muscle. They appear when you smile or squint and fade at rest. Static lines stay at rest, because collagen has thinned. Crepey texture is fine, all-over wrinkling from thin skin, and it is a skin-quality problem more than a line problem. Dr Sin Yong looks for each of these, and for any hollow or bag beneath them. Sun protection is part of the plan, because UV exposure drives these changes.
Under eye lines treatment Singapore: matching cause to method
| What you have | Method | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic lines | Conservatively dosed botulinum toxin | Overdosing can flatten expression |
| Static lines | Fine-gauge skin boosters and polynucleotides such as Rejuran | Polynucleotides are injected superficially |
| Crepey texture | Polynucleotides, boosters and conservative energy-based tightening, staged | This is a skin-quality problem |
| Lines over a tear-trough hollow | Skin quality first, with filler only where a true hollow exists | Filler does not iron out lines |
| Lines with an eye bag | Sequenced with an eye bag assessment | Pronounced bags are referred out |
Why filler is not the default
It seems logical to fill a line, but filler does not iron out lines under the eye. On crepey skin it can magnify the crepe and show as lumps, puffiness or visible texture. Heavy filler into crepey skin is therefore avoided. Filler has a role only where a true hollow exists, and even then skin quality is addressed first. Overdosed botulinum toxin is avoided too, because it can flatten your smile. The aim is a light hand and a plan that can be adjusted. A hollow beneath a line may need attention, but the line itself is a skin problem.
Boosters, polynucleotides and BTX here
Skin boosters place material with fine needles, and they add no volume. Polynucleotides such as Rejuran are purified from salmon DNA and are injected superficially. They may leave more visible bumps for a short time, and a fish allergy must be declared. Botulinum toxin is dosed conservatively around the eyes, because too much can cause lid heaviness or flatten a smile. Its effect wears off gradually. Skin-quality work builds cumulatively, so it needs patience and maintenance. Conservative energy-based tightening may be added for crepey skin, and energy treatments near the eyes wait until you are cleared. All of this is fine-gauge, low-volume work.
How the work is staged
Who this suits
Smile or squint lines that fade at rest.
Lines that stay at rest.
Where quality is needed rather than volume.
You prefer staged, gradual work.
Younger patients showing early dynamic lines, as prevention.
Who should wait or avoid it
Please wait.
Active eyelid or periorbital problems come first.
These matter for botulinum toxin.
A known allergy to a planned product's ingredients rules that product out.
Bleeding disorders or blood-thinning medicines need review.
Wait until the same area has been reviewed.
That is not what this offers, and neither is a frozen look.
What it cannot do
No option does this.
These treatments do not address bags, which may need surgery.
Daily sunscreen and sunglasses remain part of care.
Botulinum toxin wears off gradually, skin-quality results need maintenance, and no duration is promised.
Heavy filler into crepey skin is avoided, because it can magnify the crepe.
Marked lid laxity goes for surgical assessment.
Where a true hollow exists, filler may be considered once skin quality has been addressed.
When you will be referred
Pronounced bags or marked lid laxity go for surgical assessment. Ptosis is also referred out. Eye symptoms such as pain, swelling or a change in vision go to an eye doctor. These are not cosmetic concerns, so please do not wait for a routine appointment if they appear.
Risks and side effects
Tiny injection marks, mild redness, swelling and bruising are expected, and they can be more visible on thin skin. Botulinum toxin can cause temporary eyelid heaviness, asymmetry, dry or watery eyes and a flattened smile if dose or placement is off. Filler can cause lumps, puffiness or visible texture. Infection and blocked blood vessels are serious but uncommon. Contact the clinic the same day for sudden pain, pale or dusky skin, vision change, worsening swelling, heat, redness, a growing lump or lasting eye irritation. The signs of a blocked vessel are set out on the warning signs page.