Botox for Crow's Feet at The Dermatology and Laser Group

Botox Around Eyes is one of the most popular and effective uses of Botox Cosmetic, particularly for addressing crow’s feet, the fine lines that appear at the outer corners of the eyes. This area is one of the FDA-approved treatment zones for Botox, and it is a favorite for our patients looking to achieve a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance.

Botox works by relaxing the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles, which are the lines that form in this area with facial movements like smiling or squinting. By targeting these muscles, Botox softens the appearance of crow’s feet and prevents them from becoming deeper over time, making it an ideal treatment for both anti-aging prevention and rejuvenation.

Botox treatment in Manhattan is our most popular treatment at the office and Botox around the eyes is requested by most of our patients. For those considering additional treatment areas, Botox under the eyes can also help with fine lines and subtle under-eye rejuvenation.

Crow’s feet, the fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes, are one of the most common areas treated with Botox. These wrinkles, often caused by repetitive facial movements like smiling and squinting, can deepen over time, making the eyes appear aged or tired. Botox for crow’s feet is a highly effective treatment for softening these lines while preserving the natural expressiveness of your face. For crow's feet treatment, Botox is injected with a very tiny needle in specific areas of the orbicularis oculi muscle lateral to the eyes.

To guide dosing for crow’s feet, Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox Cosmetic, recommends what they call the “Look of 3” protocol, with suggestions of how much Botox to use in the forehead, the glabella and around the eyes. This suggests 24 units of Botox, with 12 units per side of the eyes, to achieve optimal smoothing of the area. While this is a great reference point, we emphasize achieving natural-looking results and often tailor the dosage to the individual. This is particularly important around the eyes, where maintaining expression is essential. If you’re wondering how long it takes to see results, you can learn more about when Botox starts working and what to expect after your treatment.

This personalized approach allows us to smooth out crow’s feet while keeping your smile natural. Our goal is to leave patients looking refreshed—not frozen—helping them achieve a youthful, radiant appearance with just the right amount of Botox. Many patients interested in crow’s feet treatment also explore Baby Botox, which offers a softer, more natural result with smaller doses of Botox.

In addition to treating crow’s feet, Botox can also be used to soften fine lines under the eyes. However, due to the delicate nature of the under-eye area, it is crucial to ensure that the skin has sufficient elasticity before proceeding with treatment. Injecting Botox under the eyes in patients with reduced elasticity could weaken the orbicularis oculi muscle, which helps support the under-eye structures. Combined with already weakened skin, this could lead to under-eye bags or worsen existing ones.

To check for skin elasticity in this area we do a manual snap test. This involves gently pulling the skin under the eye and observing how quickly it returns to its natural position. If the skin snaps back immediately, it indicates good elasticity, making the patient a suitable candidate for Botox in this area.

If the skin remains tented or returns slowly, this is a sign of decreased elasticity, and Botox injections in this area are avoided.

Alternative Wrinkle Treatments for Patients With Reduced Skin Elasticity

For patients with reduced elasticity under the eyes, alternative treatments can effectively address fine lines and rejuvenate the area. These include procedures such as TempSure RF, fractional laser resurfacing, or Ultherapy.

By carefully evaluating each patient’s unique needs and skin condition, we ensure that the right treatment is chosen to deliver safe, effective, and natural-looking results around the eyes. Whether it’s Botox and/or another advanced technology, our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for our patients.

Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD

Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.

Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.

By Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD | March 4th, 2024 | Categories: Botox, Face and Neck

Botox Around Eyes

Medically Reviewed by Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD

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