Tear Trough Treatment in Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

The anatomy of the tear trough

The tear trough — 눈물고랑 in Korean — is not simply a wrinkle. Along the lower rim of the eye socket, a band of connective tissue, often called the tear trough ligament, anchors the skin and muscle firmly to bone. Further out it continues as the orbicularis retaining ligament. Above this tether sits the fat of the lower eyelid; below it lie the cheek fat pads.

When the tissue on both sides is full and level, the tether is invisible. A groove appears when the balance changes:

• From below: the cheek fat thins and descends, so the area just under the ligament drops away.
• From above: lower-lid fat may push forward with age, creating a bulge above the tether that deepens the step.
• In the skin: thin lower-lid skin reveals the line more clearly and makes it look darker.
• In the bone: the orbital rim gradually remodels, deepening the groove further.

Specialists often describe this as a double contour: a convex lid, a sharp groove, then the cheek. The deeper that contrast, the more tired the eye looks, even after a full night's sleep. In some people the groove is genetic and visible from a young age; in others it appears gradually from the thirties.

How Doje Clinic assesses the tear trough

Dr. Byun Jeik is a member of the Belotero Expert Committee and was named one of Korea's 22 filler experts by Medical Times, and the eye area is where that experience matters most. In a 1:1 consultation he looks at:

• how deep the groove is and how far it extends towards the outer cheek;
• whether there is a fat bulge above it, which limits what filler can achieve;
• the position and fullness of the mid-face beneath;
• skin thickness and colour, which influence product choice and depth;
• any tendency to under-eye swelling, which can worsen with filler.

He may also review the area under overhead light, which exaggerates the groove the way office lighting and phone cameras do.

Options from mild to advanced

Shallow groove, thin skin

When the groove is mild and the skin thin, improving skin quality may be enough to soften it. Eye Rejuran and Re2O Fine are eye-area skin boosters that aim to improve thickness and resilience over several sessions.

Defined groove without bags

This is where under-eye soft filler works well. A small amount of soft filler placed deep along the bone beneath the ligament levels the step between lid and cheek. Doje uses conservative volumes and precise depth, because the lower lid is prone to swelling and visible product if overfilled.

Groove deepened by cheek descent

If the cheek below has dropped, filling only the trough tends to give a heavy, puffy result. Supporting the cheek first — with retaining-ligament filler or the mid-face thread lift — often makes the trough shallower so that much less filler is needed in the eye area itself.

Groove plus fat bags

With noticeable bags, filler can only partly camouflage the step. A small amount may help in mild cases, but the limits are discussed openly.

Which Doje program fits

The Eye Program combines three axes — lifting with the Doje signature upper-face thread lift, volume with soft filler, and eye-area skin improvement — with options such as Eye Thermage with Softwave, GOURI/Re2O, Eye Rejuran and Re2O Fine. When the cheek is a major contributor, elements of the Mid-Face Program are added.

When a surgical opinion is more appropriate

If the main problem is protruding lower-lid fat, the most effective solution is usually lower-eyelid surgery with fat repositioning, which moves the bulging fat into the groove. This requires a qualified surgeon. Dr. Byun will recommend a surgical opinion if non-surgical options are likely to disappoint.

Cost

Fees depend on whether skin boosters, filler, cheek support or a combination are needed, and are quoted after the 1:1 consultation. Ask for a written quote; Korean non-covered (비급여) aesthetic fees are set per plan.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a tear trough and under-eye hollows?

The tear trough is a specific groove created by a ligament near the inner corner; hollows describe broader volume loss across the lower lid and upper cheek. Many people have both.

Can filler fix a tear trough if I also have bags?

Only partly. Filler can soften the step in mild cases, but prominent fat bags usually need a surgical assessment.

Can tear trough filler cause puffiness?

It can if too much product is used, if it is placed too superficially or if you are prone to swelling. Conservative, deep placement reduces this risk.

Does lifting the cheek help the tear trough?

Often, yes. When the cheek has descended, supporting it reduces the depth of the groove and the amount of filler needed under the eye.

How long do results last?

Filler in the tear trough often lasts relatively long because the area moves little, but duration varies by product and person.

Will I bruise?

Bruising is possible because the area is rich in small vessels. It usually fades within one to two weeks and can be covered with makeup once advised.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Under-Eye Soft Filler
• Eye Program
• Under-Eye Hollows
• Under-Eye Bags
• Facial Retaining Ligaments Explained
• Belotero Filler
• Avoiding the Overfilled Look

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.