When it comes to early signs of facial ageing, most people focus on crow’s feet or forehead lines. But one of the most telling—and misunderstood—shifts begins much earlier: the tear trough. That hollowing under the eyes, the soft dark shadow that seems to appear out of nowhere in your 30s? That’s not just tiredness. It’s structural.

At Luxe Skin by Dr Q in Glasgow, we see countless clients who say:

“I look exhausted—even when I’ve had a full night’s sleep.”“Makeup creases under my eyes suddenly.”“Is this puffiness, or something sinking?”

What you’re noticing is likely early tear trough collapse, and the sooner it’s addressed correctly, the better your results—and prevention—will be.

Anatomical Shift vs. Skin Thinning

The under-eye area is one of the most delicate and complex regions of the face. It’s where volume loss, bone changes, muscle weakening, and skin thinning all meet—making it the first place many people show visible ageing.

So what causes early tear trough hollowing?

1. Bone Resorption

As early as your 30s, the infraorbital rim (bone under your eye) begins to recede. It’s slow, but significant—and leaves less support for the skin above it.

2. Fat Pad Migration

Fat that once filled the under-eye area starts to shift downward, leaving a hollow or visible demarcation line known as the “tear trough.”

3. Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Thinning

This circular muscle helps support the eye area. With age or stress, it thins and slackens—especially if you rub your eyes frequently or squint.

4. Dermal Thinning

From around age 28, collagen and elastin production drops. Thin under-eye skin begins to show what lies beneath: vessels, shadowing, and puffiness.

These aren’t just surface-level concerns. They are deep anatomical changes, which is why topical eye creams—no matter how expensive—do very little once this process begins.

🔗 Read more on Tear Trough Treatments at Luxe Skin

Genetics, Sleep, or Lifestyle? https://luxeskin.co.uk/?p=9233