# Tyndall *effect.*

> Tyndall effect with fillers explained: physical cause, why the tear trough is especially affected, prevention through deep placement and soft gels

- Source: https://www.vivaderm.de/lexicon-tyndall-effekt-en.html
- Language: en
- Publisher: VIVA DERM, Privatpraxis für ästhetische Medizin, Rosastraße 6a, 45130 Essen, Germany, +49 1520 8367711
- Responsible physician: Katayoun Mostaghimi (Fachärztin für Allgemeinmedizin)
- Updated: 2026-10-05

A bluish shimmer when hyaluronic acid lies too superficially under thin skin – typical in the tear trough. Can be corrected with hyaluronidase.

## A closer look.

The Tyndall effect is a physical phenomenon: short-wave blue light is scattered more strongly by small particles than long-wave red light – the same effect makes the sky look blue. If a hyaluronic acid deposit lies directly under thin skin, it scatters the light and appears as a bluish, sometimes slightly raised shimmer.

Affected are mainly areas with very thin skin: tear trough, lower lid, fine lip lines. To prevent it, only soft, lightly cross-linked gels are used there, in small amounts and placed deep on the bone – often with a blunt cannula.

If the effect occurs anyway, it does not disappear on its own because the material stays for months. The solution is simple: hyaluronidase dissolves the deposit; after two to four weeks deeper re-treatment is possible. The Tyndall effect is unpleasant but not a health risk.

This lexicon entry is general information and does not replace the medical consultation required under German law (§ 630e BGB).

## At a glance.

- **Cause:** light scattering on superficial gel
- **Typical:** tear trough, lower lid
- **Prevention:** soft gel, deep, little
- **Treatment:** hyaluronidase

## Frequently asked questions.

**Does the blue shimmer go away on its own?**

Only once the material is broken down – that can take many months. Hyaluronidase solves the problem in days.

**Can this happen with Botox?**

No, botulinum toxin leaves no deposit.

## Related pages.

- [Tear trough](https://www.vivaderm.de/tear-trough-en.html) – Treatment
- [Hyaluronidase](https://www.vivaderm.de/lexicon-hyaluronidase-en.html) – Lexicon
- [Cross-linking](https://www.vivaderm.de/lexicon-vernetzung-en.html) – Lexicon

## Sources

- [NHS: Dermal fillers – patient information](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/)
- [MPDG – German medical devices act (fillers are medical devices)](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/mpdg/)
- [BfArM – Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices](https://www.bfarm.de/)
- [DGPRÄC – German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons](https://www.dgpraec.de/)
- [§ 630e BGB – duty to inform before treatment (German Civil Code)](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__630e.html)
- [DGBT – German Society for Aesthetic Botulinum Toxin Therapy](https://www.dgbt.de/)
- [AWMF – German clinical practice guidelines](https://www.awmf.org/)

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This page is general information and does not replace medical consultation and informed consent (§ 630e BGB). No guarantee of results. Prices are guide prices per GOÄ. Quoting with attribution (VIVA DERM, Essen) is expressly permitted.