Everything You Need to Know About Getting Botox for Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet, those fan-like lines that appear at the outer corners of your eyes, are a common sign of aging. These "smile lines" or eye wrinkles become more visible when you laugh or squint. While some people embrace them, others find crow’s feet a source of self-consciousness. Botox is a popular and effective treatment for these lines.

What to Expect with Botox for Crow’s Feet

The Botox procedure for crow’s feet is typically quick and straightforward, usually taking less than 30 minutes. A trained provider uses a fine needle to inject Botox into the muscles around the eyes. The Botox relaxes these muscles, smoothing the overlying skin. While Botox is highly effective, some providers may suggest alternative treatments like dermal fillers, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing for less severe wrinkles.

Common Causes of Wrinkles Around the Eyes

Crow’s feet are wrinkles that radiate from the corners of the eyes, resembling a bird's claws. Other terms for them include laugh lines, character lines, lateral canthal lines, and periorbital lines.

Compared to other facial lines, crow’s feet often develop earlier due to the delicate nature of the skin around the eyes and the frequent muscle use in this area. Some people may notice crow’s feet as early as their 20s. As we age, these lines become more pronounced, contributing to an older appearance even when other areas of the face are relatively wrinkle-free.

Three main factors contribute to the formation of crow’s feet and other facial wrinkles:

Facial Expressions:

• Repeated muscle contractions from facial expressions like laughing, smiling, squinting, frowning, and raising eyebrows cause the skin to fold and furrow, leading to expression lines and dynamic wrinkles.
• Other dynamic wrinkles include:

• Glabellar lines: These lines appear between the eyebrows and above the nose when frowning or squinting, often resembling the number "11".
• Forehead wrinkles: The frontalis muscle across the forehead contracts when we raise our brows, creating horizontal lines.
• Marionette lines: These vertical lines extend from the corners of the mouth down towards the chin, caused by a combination of dynamic movements, gravity, and aging.

Natural Loss of Facial Elasticity:

• Skin naturally has elasticity, allowing it to return to its original form after being stretched or compressed.
• However, as we age, the production of collagen and elastin slows down. These proteins are crucial for skin elasticity and firmness.
• The decline in collagen and elastin leads to the formation of wrinkles and sagging skin.

Lifestyle Factors and Habits:

• A healthy lifestyle, including diet, sleep, and stress management, plays a significant role in maintaining youthful skin.
• Smoking accelerates wrinkle formation because the chemicals in tobacco smoke damage healthy skin fibers.
• Prolonged sun exposure to UV rays and inadequate skincare can also speed up skin deterioration.
• Therefore, it's essential to keep the thin skin around the eyes well-hydrated and protected with SPF eye cream.

How Does Botox Treatment for Crow’s Feet Work?

While crow’s feet are a natural part of aging, several cosmetic treatments can help reduce their appearance. Botox is a popular choice due to its safety and effectiveness. It is suitable for patients between 25 and 65 years old and can address both mild creases and deeper wrinkles.

Botox is an injectable liquid containing a purified form of botulinum toxin type A. Although botulinum toxin can cause botulism in large amounts, it is perfectly safe when used in small, controlled doses for cosmetic purposes. Botox works by blocking nerve signals from the brain to facial muscles, limiting muscle contractions. For crow’s feet, Botox is injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes to relax and smooth the skin.

Botox Units for Crow’s Feet 

The ideal Botox dosage for crow’s feet varies from person to person. Because it’s a relatively small treatment area, crow’s feet generally require fewer Botox units. Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox, recommends 24 units (or 6 injections per eye) for optimal results. However, some providers prefer to start conservatively, especially with new patients, using around 10 units per eye. The cost of Botox injections for crow’s feet typically ranges from $300 to $400 per session, depending on the provider and the number of units used.

Suitable Candidates for Botox

Botox treatment is not recommended for everyone. It's crucial to consult with an experienced provider, such as a plastic surgeon, to determine your suitability for the procedure. They will evaluate your medical history, current health status, and specific concerns.

Botox is generally not suitable for:

• Individuals with certain neurological or muscular diseases.
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Anyone with a known allergy to Botox ingredients.

A consultation helps the provider assess your facial anatomy and identify the most appropriate injection sites to achieve the best possible results.

The Botox Cosmetic Procedure

The Botox procedure for crow’s feet is relatively quick and simple. Your provider will typically apply a topical anesthetic or ice to numb the skin around the eye area. Then, using a very fine needle, they will inject Botox into the targeted muscles. The entire procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes. You can typically resume your normal activities immediately afterward, as there is little to no downtime.

Side Effects of Botox Around the Eyes

Side effects from Botox treatments for crow’s feet are generally uncommon and mild. You may experience temporary side effects at the injection site, such as:

• Small bruises
• Swelling
• Redness

Less common side effects can include:

• Droopy eyelids
• Dryness around the eyes
• Crooked eyebrows
• Excessive tearing

These side effects typically resolve within 48 hours.

Expectations for Botox Crow’s Feet Treatment

The results of Botox treatment for crow’s feet usually start to become noticeable within three days, with the full effect visible after about two weeks. You can expect to see a significant smoothing of the lines around your eyes when you smile, resulting in a more refreshed and youthful appearance.

However, Botox effects are temporary, typically lasting for 3 to 4 months. To maintain the desired look, many people opt for regular touch-up injections.

Alternative Treatments for Crow’s Feet and Other Facial Wrinkles

Botox may not be suitable for everyone. Fortunately, several alternative non-surgical cosmetic treatments can address crow’s feet and other facial wrinkles:

• Chemical peels: These treatments involve applying a chemical solution to the skin to exfoliate the top layers, revealing smoother, younger-looking skin. Different types of chemical peels are available, and some are particularly effective for crow’s feet, such as retinoic acid or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels. A skilled provider can apply these peels safely and effectively, even for lines that extend to the sides of the face.
• Microneedling: This procedure involves using a device with tiny needles to create micro-punctures in the skin. These micro-injuries stimulate the skin's natural healing process, boosting the production of collagen and elastin. Microneedling can improve skin elasticity and texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines. It can also be combined with chemical peels to enhance the penetration of the chemical solution.
• Dermal fillers: Injectable dermal fillers can effectively fill in wrinkles, lift nasolabial folds, and restore volume to sunken areas of the face. Many fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that retains moisture in the skin. Hyaluronic acid fillers can refresh the appearance of crow’s feet, especially when used in conjunction with Botox.
• Laser treatment: Laser resurfacing, also known as laser peeling, removes the outer layer of damaged skin cells to reveal the younger, more elastic skin beneath. These treatments also stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. However, laser resurfacing may involve a longer recovery period, with potential side effects like swelling, itching, and peeling that can last up to a week.

Enjoy The Best Botox Experience with Evolve Med Spa

Evolve Med Spa offers customized treatments to address a wide range of aesthetic concerns, including wrinkles, acne, and blemishes. Our goal is to enhance your natural beauty and help you achieve your desired look.

Our team of board-certified physicians, skilled estheticians, and master injectors is dedicated to providing exceptional care and transformative results. Book an appointment with Evolve Med Spa today.