Dark circles are the physical result of an altered lifestyle or a genetic factor beyond our control... If they're nothing serious, their aesthetic appearance can create complexes. Thanks to lipofilling, we can say goodbye to them!

While it's totally natural to accept yourself as you are, it's also a good thing to be able to change what doesn't suit you. Where creams, sport and massage exercises no longer suffice, cosmetic surgery (invasive and non-invasive) offers a host of possibilities for shaping our appearance as we wish. This is particularly true for dark circles! These tinted, hollow or bulging marks under the eyes tend to create complexes in sufferers. While dark circles usually appear after a bad night's sleep or as a result of lifestyle excesses (alcohol, tobacco, too much sugar or fat), they are also the result of genetic factors in some people. In these cases, even a good night's rest and three coats of make-up won't help... Fortunately, for those whose cause is genetic, there are several aesthetic and surgical ways toremove dark circles! Filling with hyaluronic acid is recommended for people looking to fill hollow dark circles. However, this option is short-lived. For a definitive result, it's best to turn to lipostructure or lipofilling.

What is dark circle lipofilling?

Technically, lipofilling, or lipostructure as it's also known, is a method of filling hollow dark circles in aesthetic medicine. To fill in the hollow of the dark circles in the most natural way possible, the surgeon uses the patient's own fat extracted from an area of the body (love handles, thighs) in small quantities, to reinject it into the hollow of the dark circles (1ml of fat is used for each dark circle). The fat is centrifugally purified before injection.

The result? The hollow area between the eye and the cheekbone regains its curvature, reharmonizing the whole face and giving it a boost. However, since it involves fat grafting, lipofilling is an actual surgical procedure (like liposuction) that requires hospitalization, unlike the filling of dark circles with hyaluronic acid, which can be performed rapidly in the office.

What is the procedure for lipofilling?

Since lipofilling is a rather extensive surgical procedure, it requires rigorous follow-up before and after the operation. Beforehand, medical examinations are scheduled with the surgeon to establish the patient's expectations and explain the surgical procedure in detail. An appointment with an anaesthetist is also necessary, who will draw up a blood test to check that all is well (coagulation parameters) for the operation. For smokers, it is strongly recommended to stop smoking one month before the operation, as smoking could complicate the transplant. The same applies to anti-inflammatory drugs, which must be stopped 10 days before the operation.

How does a lipofilling session for dark circles work?

To ensure that lipofilling is performed with the utmost serenity, the patient is admitted to hospital under local anaesthetic. The fat is then extracted using a fine cannula from the area selected during the medical examination (thighs for women or love handles for men, as these areas are often the richest in body fat). The operation is quick, but requires meticulous attention to detail! Once the fat has been extracted, it is cleaned using a centrifuge to remove toxins and bad fats. Once purified, 1ml is injected into each side of the dark circles. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis, so the patient is discharged the same day, but may experience slight pain and social exclusion for a few days. 

How much does lipofilling cost? 

The cost of dark circle lipofilling can vary according to a number of factors, including geographic region, the reputation of the plastic surgeon, the complexity of the procedure, the clinic where it is performed and the surgeon's fees. Generally speaking, however, the cost is between 2,000 and 4,000 euros, or even 8,000 euros in some countries.  

Any follow-up after lipofilling?

Follow-up care is strongly recommended after lipofilling. This is also the case for any surgical operation, as results are never 100% guaranteed. As the practice of Dr Lemaire (plastic surgeon) explains, some of the grafted fat cells may not survive, and the lipofilling must then be retouched. To be sure, a follow-up session is recommended for three months after the operation. If a second session is necessary, it should be the last, and the hollow circles are then supposed to disappear for good.

The expected result after lipofilling

Même s'il s'agit d'une opération lourde (anesthésie locale et hospitalisation), le lipofilling a l'avantage de proposer un résultat définitif ! Contrairement aux injections d'acides hyaluronique qui assurent uniquement un résultat temporaire, le lipofilling ou lipostructure promet de ne plus avoir à s'inquiéter de ces cernes après son opération. Les premiers résultats définitifs sont visibles au-delà de trois mois (c'est le temps nécessaire à la greffe pour bien s'installer), durant ce laps de temps il n'est pas impossible d'observer des hématomes au niveau des paupières ou des amas graisseux (qui mènent très souvent à la deuxième séance). Mais pas de panique, ces petits inconvénients se résorbent bien vite (entre 8 à 10 jours pour les bleus) et laissent place à une zone toute lisse et comblée, pour le plus grand bonheur du patient.

What beauty routine should I adopt after surgery?

To optimize the effects of the operation and slow down skin aging, don't hesitate to rely on a good beauty routine! Use skin care products that deeply moisturize and nourish the epidermis, such as an eye contour cream. ROSEGOLD's eye contour serum can be a good complement to provide the skin with all the elasticity it needs. It is applied morning and night with light tapping motions to help the active ingredients penetrate deep into the epidermis. If convincing results are assured after one month, ROSELIFT serum can also be applied as a cure to optimize its effects.

Can there be complications following lipofilling of dark circles?

As with any surgical procedure, there is no such thing as zero risk. Slight complications can arise following lipofilling, and it's best to be aware of them so as to be able to deal with the situation as effectively as possible. Several scenarios are possible: the grafted fat may migrate too close to the skin, creating visible, unattractive little balls. This is a rare occurrence, as fat that has been centrifuged before injection ensures that the graft takes well. It is also possible to observe fat sagging following sudden weight loss. On the other hand, weight gain can alter the appearance of the filler by bulging it further, creating a pocket under the eyes...