Smooth, Not Stiff: What to Know About Botox for Crow’s Feet
By the time most people reach age 30, they start noticing signs of aging on their faces. These may include age spots (which look much like freckles), fine lines, and wrinkles. Since the skin around the eyes is so delicate, it’s often one of the first areas to develop wrinkles that betray your age. Fortunately, if you treat crow’s feet with Botox treatments, it can help minimize fine lines at the corners of the eyes.
If you’re wary about getting Botox because you think it might turn your face into an expressionless mask, don’t worry! You can still make natural expressions after your injections as long as you go to a skilled provider who knows what they’re doing. When expertly and strategically placed, Botox can soften crow’s feet and other fine lines and gently restore youthful beauty. If you want a smooth, not stiff, appearance, here’s what you should know about getting Botox for crow’s feet lines.
What Are Crow’s Feet?
Crow’s feet, also known as “laugh lines,” “lateral canthal lines,” or “periorbital lines,” are those annoying lateral lines or dynamic wrinkles that extend outward from the outer edge of each eye. They get their name from their uncanny similarity to the shape of a crow’s feet. People often refer to these lines as “smile lines” because they become more pronounced when you smile. They form when the tiny muscles at your eyes’ outer corners contract when you grin, squint, or frown.
Other potential causes of crow’s feet include declining collagen and elastin levels, recent fat loss, menopause, and excessive sun exposure. Wrinkles and other signs of aging also tend to become more prominent during dehydration. So, be mindful about giving your body adequate hydration each day if you want to keep your face smooth and wrinkle-free as long as possible.
What Are Botox Injections?
Botox is a paralyzing protein derived from Botulinum toxin. That may sound a little scary, but the toxin goes through a careful purification process before it’s formulated into Botox cosmetic. Botox has a long history of safely minimizing wrinkles for men and women, with few side effects. It temporarily relaxes the muscles into which it’s injected, blocking muscle contractions in the area. Therefore, you are less likely to form deeper wrinkles.
Botox has many benefits, is highly effective at smoothing facial wrinkles, and has a low risk of serious side effects when injected by an experienced provider. It’s especially crucial to select a skilled injector when getting Botox on crow’s feet because the area around the eyes is very delicate. You need to be able to trust that your provider won’t make mistakes when dealing with this highly sensitive area.
Does Botox Treat Crow’s Feet or Lateral Canthal Lines?
Botox is a great solution for crow’s feet! Many people treat crow’s feet using Botox because it’s so effective at smoothing the area around the eyes. Botox is minimally invasive and doesn’t leave noticeable scars behind. It’s also more affordable than a surgical facelift, which is why it’s such a popular option for people from all walks of life.
Related Reading: Learn what you should and should not do following Botox for smile lines.>>>
How Does Crow’s Feet Botox Work?
Botox helps minimize the appearance of crow’s feet by blocking nerve signals to the outer portion of the orbicularis oculi muscles. With the nerve signals blocked, the muscles relax, and the skin around them appears smoother. The procedure typically takes no longer than 30 minutes, and the results can last up to four months. Botox is a great alternative to facial fillers, which minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles by filling them in.
Botox Crows Feet Before and After*
Before you treat crow’s feet with Botox cosmetic, you may be curious about the type of results you can expect. Looking at Botox for crow’s feet before and after pictures can give you an idea of the outcome you could receive. However, it’s crucial to remember that individual results may vary.*
What Are the Risks of Botox Crow’s Feet Treatments?
Even though Botox is a relatively safe treatment, it does have a risk of side effects, just like any other aesthetic treatment. Some of the potential risks include:
- Eyelid retraction
- Bruising
- Blurry vision
- Excessive tearing
- Dry eyes
- Ectropion (outward flipping in the lower eyelid)
Another possible risk includes allergic reaction, though this is rare. It’s also possible for the Botox to spread to areas beyond the desired injection site. Following your provider’s Botox aftercare instructions can help reduce your risk of unwanted Botox migration.
How Many Units of Botox for Crow’s Feet?
The cost of Botox depends on a variety of factors, including how many units you receive. But how many Botox units for crow’s feet is typical? While it varies from person to person, the average number of Botox units needed to minimize crow’s feet is between eight and 30 units per side. Your provider will likely start with fewer units for your first appointment. Then, they might increase the number of units for your next appointment depending on how you respond to your first treatment.
Where Are the Botox Crow Feet Injection Sites?
There are usually three injection sites for crow’s feet. The first injection usually gets placed where the lower eyelid meets the upper eyelid, approximately 1.5-2 cm from the outer corner of the eye. The remaining two injection locations may vary depending on your provider and the severity and positioning of your crow’s feet.
Does Crow’s Feet Botox Change Eye Shape?
You don’t need to worry about Botox changing your eye shape when injected to minimize crow’s feet. Some people get Botox specifically to make their eyes more symmetrical in appearance. However, if improved symmetry isn’t your goal, your provider will place the crow’s feet injections in a way that won’t interfere with your eye shape.
Does Botox Crow’s Feet Affect Smile?
Even though crow’s feet lines occur around the eyes, they can potentially affect your smile. If an inexperienced injector places the injections too deep, they can temporarily paralyze the zygomaticus muscles. These are the muscles that pull the outer corners of the mouth up into a smile.
Fortunately, Botox injections aren’t permanent. Therefore, even if they negatively impact the smile, the unwanted effects usually wear off in a matter of weeks. Be sure to consult with your provider if you experience any undesirable side effects from your injections.
Is It Normal to Have Bruising After Botox Crow’s Feet Injections?
It isn’t unusual to bruise after receiving Botox injections around your eyes. Even the most skilled injectors can’t always avoid this unfortunate side effect. If you’re taking blood-thinning medications, your risk of bruising goes up. The good news is that bruising isn’t indicative of a serious problem, and it usually goes away on its own within just a few days. It typically happens when blood leaks out of a damaged vessel at or near the injection site. In rare cases, bruises can take a few weeks to resolve. In the meantime, you can apply concealer to minimize their appearance.
You can minimize or prevent bruising after Botox injections by avoiding alcohol for at least a full day before your appointment. You should also stop taking ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and supplements for at least a week before your injections. Follow your provider’s post-treatment instructions further to reduce your risk of unwanted Botox side effects.
What’s the Average Botox Crow Feet Cost?
The average cost of Botox for crows’ feet varies by provider, location, and the number of Botox units needed. If you decide to treat crow’s feet with Botox cosmetic, you could spend between $250 and $600. We recommend scheduling a consultation with your preferred provider for a more accurate price estimate. They’ll look at the severity of your dynamic wrinkles to determine how many Botox units you’ll likely need to get the desired results.
Other Uses for Botox Around the Eyes
In addition to minimizing crow’s feet lines, Botox can also improve the appearance of the eyes in other ways. People often receive Botox injections to reduce the appearance of:
- Under-eye bags
- Droopy eye
- Hooded eyes
- Sunken eyes
- Dark under-eye circles
Surgery may help correct some of the above issues, but it comes with risks like infection and excessive bleeding. It’s also permanent, which can be scary if you’re worried you won’t like your new look. Botox is a safer, less expensive alternative to surgery. It’s also temporary, which can comfort anyone worried they may not like their results.
Banish Crows Feet With Botox Near You
If you’ve noticed new or deepening crow’s feet wrinkles around your eyes, don’t panic! Botox injections can help smooth them out without causing a stiff or robotic expression. This treatment is ideal for anyone who wants to minimize the appearance of crow’s feet lines without breaking the bank or risking permanent scarring.
Even though Botox results aren’t permanent, you can schedule regular maintenance treatments to continue enjoying your younger-looking self. To learn more about this treatment or to schedule an obligation-free consultation, call Azul Medspa at 915-317-58212 (Medspa East) or 915-854-2985 (Medspa West). We are proud to be the leading Botox provider in El Paso, TX.
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About the Author
I’m Dr. Lyle D. Weeks, MD, FACS, founder and Medical Director of Azul Medspa in El Paso, Texas. Board Certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and Laser Surgery, I’m a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In 1997, I founded El Paso’s first Laser Center. After years of surgical training, I narrowed my focus to Facial Plastic Surgery and medical aesthetics. I established Azul Medspa in 2013, and over the past 12+ years, my team and I have provided exceptional aesthetic care. We’re an Allergan Top 250 provider and 7-time award-winning medspa. I specialize in CoolSculpting, Emsculpt, Botox, dermal fillers, and advanced laser treatments, helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals.
