Some people have small bulges directly beneath the lash line that get bigger when smiling. These are not typical eye bags, which are caused by fat prolapse and rest just above the cheekbones. These bulges—sometimes called “jelly rolls”—are caused by an overactive muscle, and they can create an irregular contour under the eye and cause the eye to appear smaller. At MFI in San Francisco, we treat these under eye bulges with neuromodulators like BOTOX, so you can have eyes that appear more open and youthful.

How To Get Rid of Bulging Under the Eyes When Smiling: Your Treatment Options at MFI

Targeted Under Eye BOTOX Treatment

At MFI, our skilled Injectors administer a small amount of BOTOX directly into the muscle to relax it. This shrinks the under eye bulge and, as an added bonus, it can often make the eye appear larger! This treatment should not be done on individuals who have significant under eye bags or who have lower eyelid laxity. Your Injector will help guide you to whether this treatment is fitting for you.

Highlighted treatment area on a model's face for Under Eye Bulging.
Woman before under eye BOTOX treatment.
Before
Woman after under eye BOTOX treatment.
After

This San Francisco woman noticed wrinkles and bulges under her eyes, especially when she smiled. Dr. Mabrie placed a little BOTOX under the eyes, smoothing the area and enhancing her natural eye shape.

Woman before under eye BOTOX treatment.
Before
Woman after under eye BOTOX treatment.
After

This young woman wanted to reduce the bulge of muscle under her eyes, hoping it would help her eyes open up more. Kimberly, PA-C, injected a low dose of BOTOX under the eyes to relax the muscles causing the bulging. 

BOTOX for Forehead & Brow Package

For many people, under eye bulges are accompanied by other expression lines in the upper face, like crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and frown lines. The BOTOX for Forehead & Brow package provides more comprehensive results and represents a cost savings over treating each concern individually.

Highlighted treatment area on a model's face for BOTOX for Forehead & Brow Package.
Man before forehead and brow BOTOX treatment
Before
Man after forehead and brow BOTOX treatment
After

This male in his 30s had prominent “crow’s feet” in addition to “jelly roll” bulges that were visible when smiling. We injected BOTOX into the muscles of the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes to smooth and open up the eye area. 

How Much Is Under Eye BOTOX?

Our price for treating under eye bulges with BOTOX is based on the Injector and includes up to 20 units of BOTOX. If you choose to purchase our Forehead & Brow Package, you will receive up to 40 units of BOTOX. Visit our dedicated pricing page for the most current cost information.

Once you’re happy with your eye area, you’ll enter into the maintenance phase of treatment. This means you only need to come in about every 3 to 4 months for touch-ups.

Qualified borrowers may be eligible for 0% financing for 6 to 12 months through CareCredit and Alphaeon medical financing.

The MFI Advantage

MFI focuses exclusively on injectables, and has set the bar in the art and science of fillers for more than 15 years. Dr. Mabrie, trained as a facial plastic surgeon, has dedicated thousands of hours to carefully selecting and training our talented Injectors in the most innovative, effective, and safe techniques for injectables. There is no other practice in the Bay Area with the level of experience, education, and passion for injectables you'll find at MFI.

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What Causes Bulging Under the Eyes?

This type of bulging under the eyes is often caused by having a strong orbicularis oculi muscle that becomes larger in size due to its strength.

Consultation and Planning for Your Under Eye BOTOX Treatment

Your First Visit

You’ll have your BOTOX treatment at our chic, friendly San Francisco office, just off Union Square. You’ll have a candid consultation with one of our exceptional Injectors to discuss your concerns and your goals. They will carefully examine your face from every angle, under different lighting, to determine the best approach for achieving the look you want.

At MFI, our BOTOX experts are here to help you understand your options, what will and won’t work for your under eye bulges, and whether or not neuromodulators are the right choice for you.

Please set aside up to 90 minutes for your first visit, which includes consultation, prep, treatment, pre- and post-treatment photography, aftercare education, and scheduling your next appointment. The injections themselves only take about 10 minutes and cause minimal discomfort.

Your Under Eye BOTOX Procedure

Our Injectors use a very fine needle to inject BOTOX into the under eye area. Patients report minimal discomfort and sometimes compare it to a small insect bite. You will not see results right away, since neuromodulators take about a week to take full effect. At that point, you’ll see a smoother under eye area and a more open eye appearance. We recommend you get re-treated every 3 months.

For more information about your treatment, visit  Your Treatment Timeline.

Preparing for Your Procedure

For the best experience, follow these tips in advance of your appointment:

  • A few days before your appointment, restrict blood thinners, such as anti-inflammatories, fish oil, and alcohol. Limiting these will reduce your risk of bruising from BOTOX injections.
  • DO NOT discontinue prescribed, medically necessary medications.
  • Eat and drink a normal breakfast or lunch prior to your appointment; low blood sugar can make patients lightheaded during treatment.

Recovery & Aftercare

Some common injection-related reactions may occur, such as swelling, bruising, pain, itching, discoloration, and tenderness at the injection site. These are normal side effects and are most apparent 24 to 48 hours after treatment. These typically subside within 2 to 5 days.  Most patients return to their routine activities the same day.

Swelling

  • While swelling with this procedure is typically minimal, it peaks the day after treatment
  • This may cause temporary asymmetry, lumps, or bumps
  • Will gradually resolve to reveal your final results over about 4 to 10 days

Bruising

  • While bruising is possible, it is usually minimal

Redness & Discomfort

  • Often minimal and lasting just a few days
  • Your under eye area may be tender to the touch

Downtime

  • No downtime required
  • May return to work immediately after treatment
  • May resume normal exercise the next day

Because we know you have questions about your recovery process, we created an entire page dedicated to BOTOX and dermal filler aftercare.

Under Eye BOTOX FAQs

Can BOTOX help under eye bags?

BOTOX is effective for treating dynamic wrinkles—those caused by muscle movement. Under eye bags result from fat migration caused by factors like aging, genetics, and skin laxity. BOTOX cannot help with under eye bags, but dermal fillers can address the volume loss and create a smoother under eye area.


How many units of BOTOX do I need under my eyes?

We typically recommend 2 units per under eye area, but this can vary based on your individual anatomy.


Is BOTOX under eyes safe?

While BOTOX is generally considered safe when administered by a qualified and experienced medical professional, there are specific considerations and potential risks associated with getting BOTOX under the eyes, such as asymmetrical or drooping eyelids. An experienced injector will be familiar with the anatomy of the eye and take precautions to minimize the risk of adverse effects.

The MFI Advantage

MFI focuses exclusively on injectables, and has set the bar in the art and science of fillers for more than 15 years. Dr. Mabrie, trained as a facial plastic surgeon, has dedicated thousands of hours to carefully selecting and training our talented Injectors in the most innovative, effective, and safe techniques for injectables. There is no other practice in the Bay Area with the level of experience, education, and passion for injectables you'll find at MFI.

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We’d Love To See You

If you’d like to speak to one of the expert Injectors at MFI about treating your under eye bulges with neuromodulators, request a consultation online, or call us at (415) 445-9513 to schedule your appointment. If you’ll be visiting us from outside the area, you’re in good company, and our Fly in for Your Procedure page was created just for you to help make planning your trip as smooth as possible.

A Reputation Built on Results

Dr.Mabrie has really good aesthetic judgment. He gave me a holistic suggestion for the entire face....
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