How Many Botox Units for Crow’s Feet? A Practical Breakdown

Crow’s feet rarely bother you in the mirror until you smile on a bright day or laugh hard with friends. Those radiating lines at the outer corners of the eyes form from decades of squinting, smiling, and normal expression. They are also among the most satisfying places to treat with botulinum toxin injections because the eye area responds swiftly and, when dosed well, looks natural. The question everyone asks at a botox consultation is simple: how many units will I need? The honest answer is a range, and it depends on muscle strength, eye shape, skin quality, and your goals for movement.

I have treated thousands of crow’s feet over the years and have seen just about every combination of anatomy and aesthetic preference. What follows is a real-world guide that translates clinic speak into predictable outcomes, with numbers you can actually use to plan your botox appointment.
The short answer: typical unit ranges for crow’s feet
Most adults need 6 to 12 units per side for classic crow’s feet softening with on-label Botox Cosmetic. Many settle around 8 to 10 units per side for a balanced result. If you prefer very subtle softening, 4 to 6 units per side often suffices. If your lateral orbicularis oculi muscles are especially strong or you want a more frozen outer eye when you smile, you may land at 12 to 14 units per side. Some injectors dose 18 to 24 total units for both sides combined, while others prefer 20 to 24 total units. Those are all normal choices within safe practice.

Keep in mind that units are brand specific. The numbers above refer to Botox Cosmetic units. Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Daxxify use different unit conversions and diffusion profiles. When discussing botox dosage, always anchor the conversation to the exact product.
Why crow’s feet respond so predictably
Crow’s feet form in the lateral orbicularis oculi, the circular muscle around the eye. This muscle has a thin, fan-like spread at the outer corner, which makes it amenable to low-dose, multi-point botox injections. Unlike forehead botox or frown line botox, the crow’s feet region has fewer large muscles tugging in opposing directions, so results tend to be smooth without a lot of trial and error once you know your range.

Still, every face is slightly different. A patient who runs outdoors and squints daily may exert more dynamic pull than someone who wears sunglasses religiously. Skin that has thinned from sun exposure shows lines even when the muscle is at rest, so botulinum toxin can only do part of the job. That is why a certified botox injector will evaluate both your expression lines and your static etched-in lines before recommending a plan.
How providers decide your number
There are three variables I weigh before landing on a unit count for crow’s feet. First, the strength of contraction when you genuinely smile. I ask patients to smile and squint as if the sun just hit their face. Second, the surface etching and skin thickness around the lateral canthus. And third, the desired degree of movement: do you want to keep a little twinkle at the outer eye, or do you prefer a very smooth sideline?

For most first-time treatments, I prefer starting in the mid range, then calibrating at the two-week check. Botulinum toxin injections are not a one-shot gamble. You can add small touch-ups once the initial result appears, and you can simplify future maintenance with a well-documented dose map. If you are concerned about a heavy under-eye or lowered cheek-lift smile, a conservative starting dose is wise.
Mapping the crow’s feet: where needles go and why
The standard botox injection process for crow’s feet uses two to four small injection points per side, fanned along the outer eye in a gentle arc. A common pattern uses three points per side, spaced roughly 1 to 1.5 centimeters apart, just lateral to the bony orbital rim. The injector directs the needle superficially into the orbicularis oculi while avoiding too inferior a placement, which can drift toward the zygomaticus muscles that lift your smile. This geometry matters. Too low or too far back can soften your smile or give a slightly odd cheek contour. Too close to the orbit risks bruising or eyelid heaviness.

The technique also adjusts for eye shape. For almond eyes with a high lateral canthus, the points tend to arc a bit higher. For rounder eyes or those with mild lower-lid laxity, the injector may avoid inferior points to reduce the chance of the lower lid relaxing further. Small details like these are why a trained, trusted botox provider can produce natural looking botox results consistently.
The difference between baby botox and full correction
Baby botox or preventative botox for crow’s feet focuses on reducing the intensity of the muscle movement rather than fully smoothing the lines. This might be 4 to 6 units per side, sometimes even less for younger patients with minimal etching. You should still be able to smile broadly and see some crinkling, but it will look softer in photos and under bright light. This approach can delay deep etching over time. It is popular for people in their late 20s to mid 30s who are beginning to notice lines but do not want obvious changes.

Full correction aims for smoothness when smiling under normal lighting, usually 8 to 12 units per side. A strong squint will still show a trace of lines, which https://www.linkedin.com/company/amenity-day-spa-inc https://www.linkedin.com/company/amenity-day-spa-inc is normal. Lighter skin or photo studio lighting exaggerates texture, so your injector may nudge the dose up by a few units if you do on-camera work and want a creamier finish.
What if you have static lines that don’t disappear?
Botox for wrinkles works beautifully on dynamic lines, but static lines that persist at rest are half a muscle issue and half a skin issue. If the skin has been creased for years, it behaves like a folded paper that <strong><em>Ashburn VA botox</em></strong> http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch/?action=click&contentCollection&region=TopBar&WT.nav=searchWidget&module=SearchSubmit&pgtype=Homepage#/Ashburn VA botox has taken a set. Botulinum toxin relaxes the creasing force, which helps, but it does not fill in the groove. In those cases, your plan may include very superficial microneedling, a series of light fractional laser sessions, or a tiny amount of hyaluronic acid filler placed as a microdroplet in the line. Topical retinoids and diligent sunscreen also improve collagen and reduce ongoing damage. A good botox clinic will walk you through these options so your expectations match biology.
Duration, onset, and what the two-week mark really means
You will usually start to see botox results at day 3 to 5, with peak effect between days 10 and 14. Most patients feel that crow’s feet softening reaches a steady state around the two-week mark. How long does botox last at the outer eye? Commonly 3 to 4 months, sometimes 5 if your metabolism is slower or if you have a lighter dose and less muscle mass. Highly expressive individuals, frequent exercisers with higher metabolic rates, and those who naturally recover nerve signaling faster often find their botox longevity closer to 10 to 12 weeks.

This is where maintenance strategy matters. Repeat botox treatments at the moment you notice movement returning keep the lines from re-etching. Many schedule botox touch ups seasonally or pair them with other skincare appointments to stay on track without overthinking it.
Avoiding a frozen or odd smile
The most common fear with crow’s feet botox is an unnatural smile. When I see awkward smiles in photos online, two issues usually show up in the technique. Either the injector placed units too low and laterally into the zygomaticus zone, which can blunt smile lift, or the dose was too heavy directly over the stronger fibers while ignoring the upper fan where the line radiates. Balanced placement, not just total units, preserves a lively expression. If you value some smile crinkle, tell your botox specialist. They can leave the upper-lateral fibers more active and lightly treat the inferior points, giving you natural looking botox that still reads as you.
Safety, side effects, and what to expect after your botox appointment
Crow’s feet are one of the safer areas for botulinum toxin injections because the muscle is superficial and the dose per point is low. Still, you should plan for a few minor things. Small pinprick marks and mild redness usually resolve in minutes. Occasional bruising happens, especially if you take fish oil, aspirin, ibuprofen, or drink alcohol within 24 hours of the procedure. Tiny lumps from fluid can appear and settle within an hour. Headache is rare in this region compared to forehead botox, but it can occur.

The more significant risks are uncommon when treated by a trained, certified botox injector using conservative technique. Lower lid weakness or eyelid heaviness can happen if product migrates or points are placed too close to the orbit, which is why precision matters. If you have a history of dry eyes or lower-lid laxity, mention it during your botox consultation. Your provider can adapt the map to avoid making dryness or laxity worse.
One brand or several? Understanding product differences
Patients often ask whether they should use Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, or Daxxify for crow’s feet. All of these are botulinum toxin injections with evidence for facial botox applications, and all can deliver smooth crow’s feet when dosed correctly. The distinctions most patients notice are subtle. Dysport tends to have a slightly quicker onset for some people, Xeomin is a purified toxin without complexing proteins which some prefer, Jeuveau competes closely with Botox on feel and onset, and Daxxify has a different peptide carrier that may extend duration in certain areas.

Unit equivalence is not 1:1 across brands. This is critical for safety and for price comparisons. If you have a trusted botox provider who knows how you respond to a specific product, stick with it unless there is a reason to change. Consistency helps dial in the dose and avoid surprises.
Price, value, and how to compare quotes
Botox cost for crow’s feet is usually quoted either by the unit or by the area. In metro clinics that charge by the unit, you might see 10 to 16 dollars per unit with occasional botox deals for new patients or during off-peak seasons. For the crow’s feet area, the total can range from around 180 to 360 dollars when using 18 to 24 total units at 10 to 15 dollars per unit. If a clinic charges by area, you may see a fixed price with internal flexibility on units. Neither model is inherently better. What matters is that you are getting professional botox injections from a skilled injector who documents your botox dosage and can replicate your results.

A practical tip: ask how many units are typically used for your anatomy and how the clinic handles touch ups at two weeks. Some include minor adjustments at no charge, others charge per unit. Predictable planning beats chasing the cheapest initial quote.
Does preventative botox really prevent lines?
Preventative botox, sometimes called preventive botox, reduces the muscle’s ability to fold the skin aggressively over time. If you start when lines only appear during expression and not at rest, you are likely to delay the formation of deeper creases. I have patients who began baby botox in their early thirties and have maintained soft crow’s feet well into their forties with modest doses and good skincare. Preventative treatment is not a guarantee against aging, but the difference between continual deep folding and gentler expression over a decade shows on close inspection, especially in high-resolution photos.
Combining treatments for better texture
For patients bothered by skin texture around the outer eye, botox is the foundation, not the entire house. Medical-grade eye creams with retinol or retinaldehyde, cautious under-eye resurfacing with fractional lasers or radiofrequency microneedling, and periodic chemical peels can all improve the skin’s ability to reflect light smoothly. If you plan to do energy-based treatments, schedule them either before botox or at least one to two weeks after to avoid dispersing freshly placed product. Your injector can coordinate timing with your aesthetician or dermatologist.
The role of facial anatomy and expression habits
Crow’s feet do not exist in isolation. The interplay of the orbicularis oculi with the zygomaticus, levator, and even the frontalis above affects how your smile reads. For example, if you have heavy forehead lines and receive forehead botox that diminishes your brow lift, you may recruit the orbicularis more during expression, changing how your crow’s feet behave. The reverse can also happen: treating crow’s feet can make your smile lift look a touch higher by removing a downward pull, which many people like. This is why a comprehensive facial botox plan that addresses frown line botox, forehead botox, and crow feet botox together often looks more harmonious than treating each zone in isolation.
What a first appointment usually feels like
Expect a brief assessment, some movement photos for your chart, and a discussion about results and trade-offs. The botox injection process for crow’s feet is quick. Most clinics use either ice or a tiny amount of topical anesthetic. The botox pain level in this area is low, often described as a series of small pinches that last seconds. You can apply makeup after a few hours, avoid rubbing the area for the rest of the day, and skip strenuous exercise for 12 to 24 hours to reduce the risk of migration and bruising. Normal activities like computer work or errands are fine, so the botox downtime is essentially zero.
Calibrating for asymmetry
Nobody is symmetrical. It is common to need a unit or two more on the side where your smile pulls harder. Your injector should watch your expression from multiple angles and plan accordingly. Over the years, we often find the sweet spot where each side uses a slightly different dose to produce a balanced look. Documenting that asymmetry matters, especially if you move between clinics or see a new botox specialist.
When higher doses are appropriate
People with very strong lateral orbicularis oculi strands, sun-damaged skin with deep lateral lines, or professions that involve frequent squinting sometimes benefit from the higher end of the dosing spectrum, such as 12 to 14 units per side. This is also more common in men, who often have bulkier muscles around the eyes. The key is to build to that level thoughtfully. Starting too high can overly relax the area and make the outer cheek smile look blunted. A staged approach across two visits, spaced two weeks apart, gives better control.
How to talk about goals so you get the result you want
The most helpful thing you can do during your botox appointment is to describe how you want your smile to look. If you like a soft crinkle that reads friendly and approachable, say so. If you are camera-facing and prefer a glassy outer eye under ring lights, mention that. Bring a photo from before you noticed the lines and another from a moment that bothers you. Concrete examples help your injector match your aesthetic. Generic requests like “I want to look natural” mean different things to different people. Specific goals let the injector tune your botox units and injection map.
Realistic expectations and the two-visit strategy
I ask new patients to view the first session as data gathering. We choose a reasonable starting dose based on their muscles and goals. At the two-week visit, we evaluate with fresh eyes. If the lines need a touch more smoothing, we add a few units. If the smile feels too muted, we adjust the pattern next time and shave the dose in certain points. Within one or two cycles, we usually lock in an exact plan that becomes your personal formula. After that, maintenance is easy.
Fitting crow’s feet into a full-face plan
Crow’s feet do not require massive unit counts, so they are a good value within a broader anti aging treatment. Many patients schedule crow’s feet with glabella (frown lines) and a conservative forehead dose. For people who want a lighter touch overall, baby botox across all three zones can maintain movement while dialing down the creasing. For others, especially those on camera or under harsh lighting, a more complete smoothing is appropriate. There is no one-size plan. A trusted botox provider will customize a strategy that builds from your expression, your job, your skin quality, and your tolerance for change.
A note on lifestyle, sun, and simple prevention
Even professional botox injections cannot outpace unprotected sun exposure and repetitive squinting. Practical steps help extend your results. Quality sunglasses, daily mineral sunscreen around the eyes, and a habit of relaxing the brow and upper cheek when you catch yourself scrunching all make a difference. Hydration, sleep, and gentle eye-area skincare will not erase lines, but they support better botox effectiveness. Patients who pair safe botox treatment with consistent habits tend to need fewer units over time to maintain a given look.
When to skip or delay treatment
If you have an active skin infection, a rash, or a recent eye surgery, reschedule. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, most providers will recommend waiting, as clinical safety data are limited for cosmetic botox in those settings. If you have a neuromuscular disorder or are on certain medications, discuss this at your botox consultation so your injector can coordinate with your physician. A conservative approach is not only safer but also reduces the chance of underwhelming or unpredictable results.
What providers wish patients knew about “units”
Units are a measure of biologic activity, not volume. Two syringes can contain different unit counts depending on reconstitution. Comparing botox price solely on “how many syringes” is misleading. Ask about units, ask which brand is used, and ask how your injector marks your chart for future visits. Documentation builds trust and makes your results more repeatable.
A quick reference for planning Typical crow’s feet dose with Botox Cosmetic: 6 to 12 units per side, often 8 to 10 units. Baby botox or preventative botox: 4 to 6 units per side for subtle softening. Higher-dose needs: up to 12 to 14 units per side for strong muscles or deeper lines. Onset and longevity: first changes at day 3 to 5, peak at day 10 to 14, duration 3 to 4 months. Visit timing: initial treatment, then a two-week check for fine-tuning. Before-and-after expectations
When you look at botox before and after photos for crow’s feet, focus on three things. First, the smile. Does it still look like a genuine expression, just less crinkly? Second, skin texture at rest. Did the fine lines calm even when not smiling? Third, light reflection. Smoother outer-eyes reflect light more evenly, which often reads as a well-rested look. The best botox results do not stop you mid-conversation. They simply make you look like you sleep better and squint less.
Final thoughts from the chair
If you remember one takeaway, it is this: the right number of botox units for crow’s feet is less about a magic total and more about matching your anatomy to your aesthetic. Most people live in the 6 to 12 units per side range, with small adjustments to respect asymmetry and personal taste. A skilled injector can deliver subtle botox that softens lines without flattening your smile. Clear goals, careful mapping, and a willingness to calibrate at the two-week mark matter more than chasing a bargain by the syringe. With that approach, crow’s feet become one of the most straightforward, satisfying parts of a facial botox plan, and the outer-eye area tells the story you want it to tell every time you laugh.