Botox for Crow's Feet: Treating Fine Lines Around the Eyes
Crow’s feet are one of the most common concerns we hear about from patients visiting our London clinic. Those small lines that fan out from the corners of your eyes can appear when you smile, laugh, or squint, and over time they can become visible even when your face is completely relaxed. While they are a natural part of ageing, many people feel that crow’s feet make them look more tired or older than they actually feel.
Anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most effective ways to soften these lines and restore a refreshed, youthful appearance around the eyes. In this guide, we will explain how crow’s feet develop, how treatment works, and what you can expect if you are considering Botox for this area at our London clinic.
What Are Crow's Feet and Why Do They Appear?
Crow’s feet, sometimes referred to as lateral canthal lines, are the fine lines and wrinkles that form at the outer corners of the eyes. They are caused primarily by the repeated contraction of a muscle called the orbicularis oculi, which is the circular muscle surrounding each eye. Every time you smile, squint, or laugh, this muscle contracts and causes the overlying skin to crease.
When you are younger, these lines tend to disappear as soon as your face relaxes. However, as the skin gradually loses collagen and elasticity over time, these creases can become etched into the skin and remain visible even at rest. Sun exposure, smoking, and general lifestyle factors can all accelerate this process, which is why some people notice crow’s feet developing earlier than others.
It is worth noting that crow’s feet are sometimes among the first visible signs of ageing on the face, simply because the skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin on other areas like the forehead or cheeks.
How Does Botox Treat Crow's Feet?
Botox works by temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for creating dynamic wrinkles. When a small amount of botulinum toxin is carefully injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle at the outer corner of each eye, it reduces the muscle’s ability to contract with the same intensity. This allows the overlying skin to smooth out, softening the appearance of existing lines and helping to prevent them from deepening further.
The goal is never to freeze your face or stop you from expressing yourself naturally. A skilled practitioner will use just enough product to soften the lines while preserving your natural facial movement. You should still be able to smile, laugh, and show emotion freely. The result is a subtle but noticeable improvement that leaves you looking refreshed rather than “done.”
If you are curious about the difference between treatments that relax muscles and those that add volume, our blog on Botox vs. Fillers explains how the two approaches work and when each might be more appropriate.
What to Expect During A Botox Treatment
One of the reasons anti-wrinkle injections remain so popular is that the treatment itself is quick and straightforward. A typical crow’s feet treatment takes around 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish, making it easy to fit into a lunch break or a busy schedule.
During your appointment, Dr Apul Parikh will first assess your facial anatomy and discuss your goals with you. This consultation stage is important because it allows your practitioner to understand exactly how your muscles move and to plan the injection points accordingly. The injections themselves are carried out using a very fine needle, and most patients describe the sensation as a mild pinch rather than anything painful. If you are nervous about discomfort, our blog on whether Botox hurts goes into more detail on what the experience actually feels like.
There is no downtime required after treatment. You can return to your normal activities straight away, although there are a few simple aftercare guidelines to follow in the first 24 hours. For a full breakdown of what to do and what to avoid, take a look at our complete aftercare guide for anti-wrinkle injections.
When Will You See Results and How Long Do They Last?
After your treatment, you can expect to start noticing a difference within three to five days, with the full effect usually becoming visible around 10 to 14 days later. The lines at the corners of your eyes will appear softer and smoother, giving the eye area a more rested and youthful look.
Results from crow’s feet treatment typically last between three and four months, though this can vary from person to person depending on factors like your metabolism, muscle strength, and how your body responds to the product. Some patients find that with regular treatments over time, the muscles in the area gradually weaken, which can mean that results begin to last a little longer between sessions.
If you would like to understand more about how long results last across different treatment areas, our blog on how long anti-wrinkle injections last covers this topic in greater depth.
Can You Combine Crow's Feet Treatment with Other Areas?
Why Practitioner Expertise Matters for the Eye Area
The skin around the eyes is delicate, and the muscles in this area are relatively small compared to those on the forehead. This means that treating crow’s feet requires precision and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy. When injections are placed correctly by an experienced practitioner, the results look natural and the risk of side effects is minimal.
Dr Apul Parikh is a global trainer and educator in injectable treatments, with over 16 years of experience performing and teaching anti-wrinkle procedures. At our London clinic, we only use Allergan products for our injectable treatments, ensuring the highest standard of quality and safety for every patient.
Book a Consultation for Crow's Feet Botox at Apul Parikh Clinic in London
Crow’s feet are one of the earliest and most common signs of ageing around the eyes, but they respond exceptionally well to anti-wrinkle injections when the treatment is carried out by a skilled practitioner. Whether your lines are just starting to appear or have become more established over time, Botox offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to soften them and restore a brighter, more youthful look to the eye area.
If you are considering treatment for crow’s feet or would like to find out which areas might benefit from anti-wrinkle injections, we would love to help. Get in touch with Dr Apul Parikh’s London clinic to book a consultation, where we can discuss your goals and put together a personalised treatment plan that is right for you.
Botox is a brand name for a prescription-only medicine containing botulinum toxin. Under UK advertising regulations, prescription-only medicines cannot be promoted or advertised directly to the public. Throughout this blog, we use the term “Botox” in an informational and educational context only, as it is the name most people recognise when searching for anti-wrinkle treatments. The suitability of any prescription treatment, including Botox, can only be determined during a face-to-face consultation with a qualified prescribing practitioner. At Apul Parikh Clinic, all treatment options are discussed in detail during your consultation so you can make a fully informed decision.
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