Doxycyline Injections for Undereye Malar Bags - Coming Soon!

Doxycycline injections can help at reducing the appearance of the malar bags commonly known as “festoons” under the eyes.

About Doxycycline Injections

What are Doxycycline Injections for Malar Bags

Malar bags or ‘festoons’ are swollen bags that appear under the eyes affecting the lower eyelid and cheek junction. Malar bags are a common feature of aging of the midface, fat loss and fluid retention around the cheekbones can cause the skin to sag and make Malar bags appear pronounced. Doxycycline is an antibiotic which is also an effective sclerosant agent. Doxycycline injections into the malar bags cause localized inflammation which can help the ‘bag’ to ‘stick’ down reducing the space for fluid to gather thereby reducing the appearance of the malar bag.

How Doxycycline Injections for Malar Bags Work

Doxycycline for malar bags is a type of sclerotherapy, which you may have heard of in other medical settings, such as varicose veins, where it has been used for many years. Sclerotherapy essentially means to stick together. In this application the Doxycycline injections into the malar bags cause them to stick together, making the space in the bag smaller, or ideally closing it completely, preventing the further accumulation of fluid.

Should doxycycline be agreed upon as the most suitable treatment, skin at the treatment site will be cleansed thoroughly. Doxycycline is then injected directly into the malar bag through a fine needle. This takes a minute or so each side.

What to Expect Post Treatment

Immediately after treatment there may be some redness, tenderness or numbness, itching or bruising. These possible side effects are usually mild and generally disappear within the first week.

Following treatment, patients should expect to experience a reduction in the size and visibility of under eye bags. For optimum results, up to 3 doxycycline treatments may be required, with annual maintenance thereafter.

What do I need to do before my appointment?

  • Please arrive with clean skin so that we can properly assess your skin and determine where to make injections
  • Avoid NSAIDS (ie: ibuprofen), and/or Aleve for 1 week prior
  • Avoid taking St. John’s Wort and Vitamin E for 1 week prior
  • Avoid Retin-A, Tretinoin and Retinoids for 3 days prior
  • Do not drink any alcoholic beverages for 24 hours prior
  • Start Arnica tablets the day before treatment
  • No dental appointments 2 weeks prior or 2 weeks following the injectable appointment

Does it hurt?

The doxycycline will be mixed with a common anesthetic, lidocaine, which helps patients tolerate the minor pinching feeling associated with injections. We will also apply a topical numbing agent.

What’s the downtime?

Immediately after treatment, there may be some redness, tenderness or numbness, itching or bruising. These possible side effects are usually mild and generally disappear within the first week, so for this reason we do not recommend scheduling your appointment right before a big event.

How long do results last?

Following treatment, patients should expect to experience a reduction in the size and visibility of under eye bags. For optimum results, up to 3 doxycycline treatments may be required, with annual maintenance thereafter.

What do I need to know post treatment?

0-2 hours after treatment

  • Refrain from touching the treatment area

0-24 hours after treatment

  • Use a cooling compress as required
  • Refrain from wearing make-up, face or eye creams
  • Refrain from rubbing or massaging the treatment area; cleanse gently as required
  • Avoid saunas, steam rooms or any other source of excessive heat
  • Avoid vigorous exercise
  • Avoid consuming alcohol

1-7 days after treatment

  • Commence use of make-up, face or eye creams as required
  • Commence lymphatic drainage techniques, as discussed at consultation