What does tear trough refer to?

Generally, tear troughs refer to the concave area located beneath the inner side of the eyes, at the transition zone between the lower orbital rim and the cheek skin. Essentially, they are grooves formed by differences in soft tissue volume in the local area. The details are as follows:

Tear troughs begin at the inner corner of the eye and extend outward along the lower eyelid and orbital rim; in some individuals, they may continue further into the inner cheek area. Morphologically, they appear as a groove of varying depth, clearly distinct from under-eye bags. Individuals with thinner skin or lighter skin tones tend to have more noticeable tear trough contours. The formation of tear troughs is associated with multiple factors. Aging leads to loss of collagen around the eyes and atrophy of subcutaneous fat, reducing structural support and making depressions more likely. Genetic factors also play a crucial role—some people are born with unique bony structures around the eyes or naturally thinner soft tissues, causing tear troughs to appear even at a young age. Chronic sleep deprivation and excessive eye strain can accelerate periorbital skin aging and deepen existing tear troughs.

In daily life, proper skincare can help delay the deepening of tear troughs. For example, using eye creams containing vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, combined with gentle massage to promote circulation around the eyes. Ensuring adequate sleep, avoiding late nights and prolonged periods of looking down, and reducing stress on the eye area are also beneficial.