Dr. Hootan Daneshmand

Botox for Crow's Feet

crows feet botox

The plastic surgery business is booming in the U.S., with approximately $9 billion spent in 2020 according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Of that $9 billion spent, 4.4 million people received Botox injections in 2020 to preserve their youth. Maybe you want to join that statistic and receive Botox Crow’s feet treatment. Maybe you’re also wondering, “Can you use Botox under eyes?” If that’s the case, Dr. Daneshmand at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute wants to help. Call 949-359-8397 for a free consultation.

What Are Botox Injections?

Botox injections block signals that cause muscles to contract by using toxins called onabotulinumtoxinA, abobotulinumtoxinA, rimabotulinumtoxinB, and incobotulinumtoxinA. Each of the toxins are different and they aren’t interchangeable. Botox injections are most commonly used to temporarily relax facial muscles that cause wrinkles over time. Botox injections are used for other conditions too, such as:

  • Cervical Dystonia, which is when neck muscles involuntarily contract, causing the head to twist into an uncomfortable position.
  • Lazy eye, caused by an imbalance in the muscles that position the eye.
  • Muscle contractures, caused by some neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy. This condition can cause your limbs to pull in towards the center of the body. Sometimes the muscles can be relaxed with Botox.
  • Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating even when it’s not hot and a person isn’t exercising.
  • Chronic migraines: Botox injections may reduce headache frequency.
  • Bladder dysfunction: Botox injections may reduce incontinence caused by an overactive bladder.
  • Eye twitching: Botox injections may relieve twitching by relaxing the muscles around the eyes. 

How Does Botox Work?

Botox works by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles. As a result, the muscle that received the injection can’t contract, making wrinkles relax and soften.

How Long Does It Take Botox to Work?

A patient will start to see results about one to two weeks after their Botox crows feet treatment. However, the effects will start to wear off three to six months later, so the patient will need another treatment. After each treatment, wrinkles will appear less and less because Botox shrinks the muscles.

What Are Crow’s Feet?

Crow’s feet are the little lines and wrinkles around the corners of your eyes. There are two different kinds of wrinkles: dynamic and static.

Dynamic Wrinkles

Dynamic wrinkles appear on your face during muscle contractions. This means if your Crow’s feet show up when you’re smiling, they’re most likely dynamic wrinkles.

Static Wrinkles

On the other hand, static wrinkles are visible at all times, even when you’re not smiling. Typically, static wrinkles become even more defined with muscle contraction over time.

Why Do I Have Crow’s Feet?

Crow’s feet and wrinkles in general are a natural part of aging. However, the main cause of Crow’s feet is a loss of elasticity in the skin around the eyes as you smile and squint. As you get older, you gradually lose elasticity in the skin everywhere. 

Crow’s Feet Prevention

Luckily, there are ways to prevent or slow the development of Crow’s feet while you’re young.

  • Limit sun exposure or wear SPF 15 sunscreen every day. Sitting in the sun for even a few minutes forms free radicals within the skin which damages the elastin fibers. People with fair skin have less protection against UV-induced skin changes and can see wrinkles appear earlier in life as a result.
  • Eat healthy. The more fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats you eat, the more your skin is protected from damage by free radicals.
  • Exercise regularly. This gets the blood pumping, bringing oxygen to the skin as a result.
  • Wear sunglasses. This keeps the eye area protected from the sun, and helps to prevent squinting.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking produces free radicals in the body, making wrinkles appear sooner.
  • Don’t use tanning beds. This is just as damaging to the skin as sitting out in the sun without sunscreen.
  • Use moisturizers and eye creams that have collagen and antioxidants like Vitamin C.

Does Botox Work on Crow’s Feet?

Yes. Botox Crows feet treatment is effective because it relaxes the muscles around the eyes. Within a few days to a few weeks, you will see the skin around your eyes smooth out, especially when you smile.

What Happens When You Get Botox?

It’s natural to feel anxious about any procedure, especially one that involves needles in your face. However, receiving Botox Crow’s feet injections is very quick and painless. First, you’ll have a consultation with an Orange County plastic surgeon to make sure you’re a suitable candidate for Botox and to also discuss the areas of your face you would like to target with the treatment. You can treat one area around your eye or multiple, depending on how severe your Crow’s feet are.

When it’s time for your Botox crow’s feet treatment, here’s what to expect. Your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic around the area being injected. Then a very small needle will be used to inject Botox in your areas of concern. The entire procedure will last 15 to 30 minutes.

After your treatment, your skin may be flushed, swollen, or bruised. However, all mild discomfort will disappear within 48 hours. To treat swelling or pain around the injection site, use ice or over-the-counter pain medicine.  

Are Botox Injections Safe?

Botox injections are safe if you use an experienced doctor and if you’re the right candidate. If you have any of the health issues listed below, you should not get Botox:

  • You are allergic to any ingredients in Botox or you’re allergic to another Botox brand, such as Myobloc, Xeomin, or Dysport.
  • There is a skin infection around the area you want Botox injected into.
  • You suffer from ALS, myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or another disease that affects your muscles or nerves.
  • You have breathing problems such as asthma.
  • If you have surgery coming up.
  • If you have undergone facial surgery.
  • You have drooping eyelids.
  • You have weakness in your forehead muscles.
  • If you have difficulty swallowing.
  • If you have bleeding issues.
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Botox Injection Risks for Crow’s Feet

Even if you don’t struggle with any of those issues, there are risks that come with any procedure. Side effects of Botox Crow’s feet treatment include:

  • Pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site
  • Headache or flu-like symptoms
  • Droopy eyelids or crooked eyebrows
  • Crooked smile or drooling
  • Dry eyes or excessive tears

The chance of the Botox toxin spreading to the rest of your body is rare, but if it does, you should call your doctor immediately. These are the symptoms to look out for:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Vision problems
  • Trouble speaking or swallowing
  • Breathing problems
  • Loss of bladder control

Does Botox Hurt?

The pain from Botox injections is very minimal because the needles are so small. Most patients claim they barely feel a thing. Additionally, your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic so you don’t feel more than a pinch during your procedure.

Crow’s Feet Treatment Alternatives

If you’re not ready to treat your Crow’s feet with something seemingly as drastic as needles in your face, there are other things you can do to improve Crow’s feet or get rid of them entirely.

Topical Creams

Prescription and over-the-counter topical creams can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles if used consistently. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is used frequently for anti-aging because it stimulates the production of new skin. Additionally, a wide array of moisturizers can fight fine lines, but they generally don’t improve Crow’s feet.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels work by putting a chemical solution on your face which removes the outer layer of old skin. People typically get chemical peels for not only Crow’s feet, but for sun damage, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation as well. There are three types of chemical peels:

  • Superficial peels can be done with a certified esthetician using mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate. They are painless and don’t require downtime. For best results, superficial peels should be done every two to four weeks.
  • Medium-depth peels: This type of chemical peel reaches the middle and outer layers of the skin with trichloroacetic or glycolic acid. The stronger acids used are more effective at removing damaged skin cells.
  • Deep peels: This type of chemical peel reaches the middle layer of the skin and can be more painful. The type of chemicals used are typically phenol or trichloroacetic acid. Deep peels can be done every 6-12 months until desired results are achieved.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are similar to Botox injections in that they are injected directly into Crow’s feet with a small needle. Fillers are most effective for static Crow’s feet, which appear even when the face is at rest and can last for 3-12 months. There are different types of fillers available, some are more permanent than others:

  • Juvederm
  • Radiesse
  • Restylane
  • Sculptra
  • Belotero

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is similar to chemical peels in that it removes the upper layers of skin, revealing newer and smoother skin underneath. This treatment works well for Crow’s feet because it heats up several layers of skin which promotes collagen production. More collagen in the skin helps the delicate skin around the eyes heal in a smoother way. Laser resurfacing results can last up to 10 years. However, healing from this procedure can take several weeks.

Contact Silhouette Plastic Surgery Today

If you’re looking for a confidence boost and younger-looking skin, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daneshmand wants to help. Not only does Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute provide Botox injections, they also offer double chin reduction surgeries, rhinoplasties, breast reductions, tummy tucks, and so much more. Call 949-359-8397 for a free consultation.

Other Skin Procedures We Offer:

Our practice is based on honesty, integrity, and a dedication to excellence in plastic surgery.