Eye Wrinkle Botox: Smoothing the Under-Eye and Crow’s Feet

A person’s eyes do a lot of heavy lifting. They squint, smile, concentrate, and communicate without a word. Over time, those expressions etch themselves into the skin. The result can be charming, but for many people, etched lines around the eyes start to feel like they don’t match how rested or energetic they feel inside. Eye wrinkle botox, especially for crow’s feet and the under-eye area, can soften those lines without blurring expression when it is done thoughtfully. The art sits in subtlety, anatomy, and dosage.
What eye wrinkle botox actually does
Botox, short for onabotulinumtoxinA, works by temporarily reducing the muscle activity that folds the skin. Around the eyes, that usually means targeting the orbicularis oculi, a circular muscle that helps you blink and squint. When these fibers relax, the skin doesn’t bunch as sharply, so lines appear softer. It is not a filler and it doesn’t “plump.” Think of it as quieting an overenthusiastic muscle so the skin can lie smoother.

Three realities matter here. First, dynamic wrinkles, the ones you see mainly with expression, respond best. Second, static wrinkles, etched in even at rest, improve too, but they sometimes need layered treatments, such as a touch of filler for volume, energy-based skin tightening, or medical-grade skincare like retinoids and sunscreen. Third, under-eye lines are influenced by thin skin, volume loss, and laxity, not just muscle pull, so under-eye botox requires a lighter hand than crow’s feet botox.
A candid look at candidacy
The best candidates are people who see fine lines fanning from the outer corners when they smile, or vertical crinkling under the lower lids when they squint. Good skin elasticity helps. If your primary concern is hollowing, under-eye bags, or crepey texture at rest, botox alone won’t deliver the full result. That’s not a failure of the product, it’s a mismatch of tool to job.

I ask new patients to do three things in a mirror during the consultation. Smile broadly, squint as if facing bright sun, then fully relax. If the lines fade mostly at rest, crow’s feet botox tends to shine. If the under-eye shows accordion-like bunching when squinting, a conservative dose under the eye may help. If the area shows shadowy hollows or puffy bags even when relaxed, you are likely a better candidate for a combined plan: light filler in the tear trough if anatomy allows, skin-thickening skincare, perhaps fractional laser or microneedling radiofrequency, then gentle cosmetic botox to reduce dynamic crinkle.
Crow’s feet botox: dependable and elegant
Crow’s feet botox is one of the most gratifying aesthetic botox treatments because it respects expression while softening distraction. The injections are placed along the lateral border of the orbicularis oculi, usually in three to five small points on each side. Units vary by face, sex, and muscle strength, but a typical range might be 6 to 12 units per side with onabotulinumtoxinA. For newcomers or those seeking baby botox, the lower end is sensible. Heavier muscle or deeper lines may need more.

Placement matters. Keep injections lateral enough to avoid affecting the muscles that lift the cheek and to protect the smile. An experienced injector will watch your expression during marking, ask for a smile several times, and adjust where necessary. This is a procedure where millimeters count. Too medially placed product can drift under the eye and feel heavy or create small shape changes in the lower lid. Good mapping prevents that.
Under-eye botox: careful by design
Under-eye lines are tricky because the lower eyelid must protect the eye, spread tears, and blink smoothly. Over-relax this area and you can see dry eye symptoms, a hollowed look, or subtle lid malposition. For that reason, conservative dosing rules. I usually start with 1 to 2 units per point, sometimes even less, placed just beneath the lash line in a few strategic spots, and only in patients with healthy lid tone. If a snap-back test (gently pulling the lower lid and watching it return) is sluggish, I recommend other modalities first. When the test is crisp, a light touch of botox under the eye can soften crinkling during big smiles and reduce that accordion texture without flattening expression.

Patients often ask whether they will look strange. Properly done, no. You still smile, the cheeks still lift, and the eyes still communicate. The difference is in the micro-folding. It looks like you slept well for the last two weeks.
Brow dynamics and the A-frame effect
The orbicularis oculi interacts with the frontalis (forehead elevator) like a tug-of-war. Relax the crow’s feet heavily without considering the brow and you may see a slight shift in brow shape. Some people benefit from a subtle botox brow lift, which balances the push-pull of these muscles to create a cleaner arch and open the eye. That approach uses a few small points near the tail of the brow, or along the upper lateral forehead, to allow the outer brow to lift slightly. It pairs nicely with crow’s feet treatment when the goal is a more open, rested eye. Get the balance wrong, and the brow can feel heavy, so this is a place where a measured approach and an injector who reads your baseline brow height is key.
Units, brands, and the myth of a “standard dose”
People love numbers, and for good reason. They help set expectations. The reality is that dosing is individualized. A 32-year-old with early lines might look great with 10 to 16 total units around both eyes. A 55-year-old with a hearty smile and robust muscle might need 20 to 30 units total for crow’s feet. Under-eye doses are always lighter. Add a micro brow lift and the total rises modestly.

As for botox types and brands, the main U.S. options are Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA), Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), and Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs). They are cousins, not twins. Units are not interchangeable. Dysport units are numerically higher, yet the clinical effect per region can be comparable. Some patients report that Dysport kicks in faster around the eyes, while others feel Xeomin yields a lighter, natural look. It is reasonable to test how you respond. An experienced injector will account for potency differences and suggest a brand that fits your goals for speed of onset, diffusion behavior, and feel.
What the appointment looks like
Most botox appointments for the eye area take 10 to 20 minutes. After a consultation and photos, the skin is cleaned. Some people like a quick ice pack or a tiny amount of topical anesthetic, though the needles are very fine and most feel only small pinches. I mark injection points with a cosmetic pencil, ask you to smile, relax, then smile again, and fine-tune placement based on your movement.

Expect a few bee-sting marks that fade within an hour or two. Makeup can usually be applied later the same day if the skin is calm and there’s no bleeding. If you bruise easily, Arnica or bromelain can help, or simply build in a week before a big event. Avoid heavy workouts and head-down yoga for the rest of the day. The goal is to minimize diffusion beyond the target muscle.
When results show, and how long they last
You typically see early changes in three to five days. Full effect shakes out by two weeks. That two-week point is when we evaluate the result. If something is still stronger than desired, a conservative touch-up can perfect the balance. If you are new to botox for wrinkles, budgeting for a possible minor tweak is sensible.

Duration varies. Around the eyes, results often last three to four months, sometimes up to five or six in low-mobility individuals. People who are very expressive or athletic, or who metabolize quickly, may notice the effect softening closer to 10 to 12 weeks. Preventative botox strategies, also called baby botox or microbotox in some contexts, use small amounts more frequently to maintain a natural look and discourage deeper line formation over time.
Safety, side effects, and how to stack the odds in your favor
Botox safety depends on correct patient selection, dosing, and placement. Common, mild effects include pinpoint redness, swelling that resolves within hours, and occasional bruising. Rarely, one side can hold slightly stronger than the other, which may show as asymmetry when smiling. That is correctable at follow-up.

Less common issues matter to discuss. Dry eye can worsen if the lower eyelid is over-relaxed, particularly in contact lens wearers or those with baseline dryness. Anyone with preexisting eyelid laxity, lower lid retraction, a history of eyelid surgery, or certain ocular conditions should approach under-eye botox carefully or avoid it. A skilled injector will perform lid tone tests and ask about eye comfort, tearing, and screen-time symptoms.

The dreaded droopy eyelid, or ptosis, is uncommon with crow’s feet treatment when injections stay lateral and superficial. It is more associated with misplacement near the upper inner brow or forehead. Respecting anatomy keeps risk low. If it occurs, it usually resolves as the product wears off, and certain eyedrops can help temporarily.
Botox around the eyes versus fillers and energy devices
People often ask whether botox or fillers are better for eye wrinkles. They do different jobs. Botox relaxes muscle pull. Fillers restore volume in hollows or blend transitions, like the tear trough. If your main issue is dynamic crinkling, choose botox. If it is a deep, shadowed groove at rest, carefully placed hyaluronic acid filler might help. Not everyone is a candidate for tear trough filler, particularly when there is significant fat pad prolapse or fluid retention. In those cases, skin tightening and surgical options may be more appropriate.

Energy-based devices, such as fractional lasers, microneedling radiofrequency, or gentle resurfacing, can thicken crepey skin and boost collagen. They pair well with botox. You can reduce the crinkle with botox, then improve skin quality with energy or skincare. Staging treatments avoids overlapping downtime and allows you to see which lever produced which effect.
Natural look botox is built, not bought
Most patients want to look like themselves. Natural look botox relies more on restraint and placement than on a brand name. A few habits make a difference. Start with a smaller dose, especially if it is your first time. Review movement at two weeks and adjust. Resist the urge to chase every tiny crease, as some lines are a part of normal expression and over-treating can look odd.

The same philosophy applies to other areas that often join the conversation during an eye-focused visit. Forehead botox and frown line botox in the glabella can smooth the upper face. A micro brow lift can open the eye. Elsewhere, lip flip treatment can soften a gummy smile, masseter botox can refine the jawline or relieve teeth grinding and TMJ symptoms, and platysma botox can soften neck bands. These are tools in a wider kit. You do not need all of them, and stacking them indiscriminately can erase the individuality of your face. Clear goals prevent that.
Cost, value, and choosing an injector
How much is botox for crow’s feet varies by city, expertise, and whether the clinic charges per unit or per area. Per-unit pricing lets you pay for exactly what you need. Typical ranges can be 8 to 20 units per side for crow’s feet, but remember that is individualized. Under-eye doses are smaller. If you see botox deals or specials, ask which brand is used, who is injecting, and how many units are included. Affordable botox is possible without compromising safety, but you should never trade down on skill.

Look at before and after photos of real patients with similar concerns and age. Read whether the clinic offers a two-week follow-up to fine-tune. Consultations should include a conversation about your eyelid tone, expression goals, potential side effects, and how botox interacts with any previous fillers or surgeries. Top rated botox practices tend to be transparent, offer clear post-care instructions, and are available if you have questions after your botox appointment.
What aftercare actually matters
Simple measures help: stay upright for a few hours, skip heavy exercise until the next day, avoid rubbing the area, and keep skincare gentle that evening. If you bruise, a dab of concealer the next day is fine. Hydrating eye creams can complement the smoother canvas but won’t change the botox result itself. Sunscreen is non-negotiable. UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown and deepens fine lines faster than any muscle movement.

You can fly the same day, work the same day, and most people are socially ready right away. If you have an important event, book your botox sessions at least two weeks in advance to allow for full effect and any small tweaks.
How botox fits into a broader anti-aging plan
Botox is one pillar. A plan that ages well includes daily SPF, a vitamin A derivative at night to stimulate cell turnover, periodic collagen-stimulating treatments if appropriate, and thoughtful nutrition and sleep. Dehydration exaggerates fine lines around the eyes. Allergy seasons bring swelling and rubbing that creases skin. If you manage those inputs, your botox results look better and last closer to their full potential.

For prevention, light, regular treatments keep muscles from etching deep grooves. That does not mean starting too young. If your lines only show with forceful squinting and you otherwise have bouncy skin, focus on sunscreen and skincare first. Preventative botox makes sense when faint lines are becoming visible at rest or you notice you squint heavily for work, like outdoor jobs or frequent driving.
Special scenarios: men, athletes, and expressive faces
Men’s botox can call for higher units because male orbicularis oculi muscles are often stronger and heavier. The goal remains the same, a natural result that does not feminize the eye. Placement respects a typically lower, flatter male brow.

Athletes and people with fast metabolisms sometimes report shorter duration, closer to 10 to 12 weeks. Planning maintenance accordingly prevents a seesaw of on-and-off results. Highly expressive faces can benefit from baby botox at shorter intervals, or slightly larger doses at standard intervals. There is no single correct plan, only one that matches your anatomy and lifestyle.
Where under-eye botox is not the answer
Two patterns steer me away from under-eye botox. First, patients with lower lid laxity, prior blepharoplasty with borderline support, or baseline dry eye symptoms. Second, those whose primary complaint is malar bags, festoons, or significant under-eye puffiness. In these cases, botox can make the area look heavier or drier. Better options include energy devices that tighten skin, lymphatic-guided skincare, or referral to an oculoplastic surgeon for structural solutions.
Combining eye wrinkle botox with other focused treatments
Small combinations often amplify results without increasing downtime. A conservative under-eye botox paired with light fractional laser to thicken crepey skin can be transformational. A brow lift injection approach that lifts the tail slightly can make a modest amount of crow’s feet botox look like more. If the glabella is strong, glabella botox reduces the frown scowl that can overshadow otherwise bright eyes. A cohesive plan, staged over months, beats a single heavy-handed session.
Common myths and straightforward answers Botox will freeze my face. Proper aesthetic botox softens overactive lines but preserves expression. Around the eyes, you will still smile, just with less crinkle. Botox is toxic. In cosmetic doses, it has an excellent safety record when injected by trained professionals. The medication stays where it is placed and dissipates as it wears off. I can fix everything at once. Some concerns need multiple tools. Botox for wrinkles handles motion lines. Volume loss and skin quality require different strategies. More units mean longer results. Only to a point. Over-dosing risks flattening expression with minimal gain in duration. Smart dosing built on anatomy works better. Once you start, you can never stop. Stopping simply allows your muscles to return to baseline movement. Lines do not rebound worse than before because of botox; they resume aging at your natural pace. A practical way to approach your first treatment
If you are considering eye wrinkle botox, set clear goals: smoother crow’s feet, a touch less under-eye crinkle, no change to your smile’s character. Bring reference photos of yourself from a few years ago if you have them, which can guide a natural direction. Ask your injector how many units they typically use for someone like you, how they handle asymmetry, and whether they schedule a two-week check.

Start conservatively. You can always add more at follow-up. Keep your calendar in mind. If you have a wedding or photoshoot, plan your botox timeline so peak results coincide with the event, and give yourself space for minor adjustments.
When medical botox and aesthetic botox intersect
Some people see their injector for both therapeutic botox, such as migraine botox or TMJ botox for jaw clenching, and cosmetic botox. Masseter botox for teeth grinding can beautifully refine the jawline while easing muscle tension, but it may also shift how you smile. Coordination between treatment zones matters. A practice that offers both therapeutic and cosmetic options can harmonize dosing so function and appearance support each other.
The quiet power of maintenance
Botox maintenance is not about chasing perfection. It is about preserving the qualities you like and letting the rest age gracefully. Most patients settle into a rhythm of doctorlanna.com botox new York https://doctorlanna.com/services/neurotoxins/ visits every 3 to 4 months for the eye area. Over time, many need slightly less, as muscles learn new, calmer patterns. That is the true value of consistent, well-placed treatment, not the one-time wow, but the steady, undramatic confidence of looking like yourself on your best-rested day.
A compact guide to making it work for you Decide the primary target: crow’s feet, under-eye crinkle, or both. Precision improves outcome. Choose an injector who can articulate your anatomy and a plan in plain language. Start with a modest dose and reassess at two weeks for touch-ups. Pair botox with sunscreen and a retinoid to protect and thicken skin over time. Revisit the plan every year. Faces change. Good treatment adapts with them.
Eye wrinkle botox, done well, does not announce itself. Friends may say you look refreshed, ask if you changed your skincare, or suspect you finally took that vacation. That is the measure of success around the eyes, a smoother canvas that keeps your expression intact, lets light reflect off the skin more evenly, and helps what you feel inside show up on your face.