Crow’s feet arrive quietly. One year, your eyes bounce back after a laugh. The next, faint pleats linger at the corners, sticking around through dinner. For many, those lines give character. For others, they read as tired or older than the rest of the face. If you want to soften them without freezing expression, targeted botox around the eyes can help. The key lies in dose, placement, and a steady hand.
I have treated thousands of pairs of eyes over the last decade, and the same pattern appears again and again: people don’t want mannequin-smooth skin. They want a rested look. Done well, botox for crow’s feet keeps the smile bright while easing the crinkles that etch into every photo under bright light.
What creates crow’s feet, and why botox helps
Crow’s feet form where the orbicularis oculi, a ring-shaped muscle, squeezes the eyelids shut and pulls the skin radially. The skin around the eyes is thinner than elsewhere, with fewer oil glands and less collagen. Add years of sun exposure and repeated squinting, and you get lines that start as dynamic creases, then settle into place even at rest.
Botox cosmetic injections interrupt that muscle’s signal for three to four months on average. The muscle still works, but with less force. When the squeezing softens, the skin doesn’t accordion as sharply, and the etched lines begin to relax. You still smile, you still squint at a good joke, but the lines don’t spike as dramatically.
Botox is not filler. It doesn’t plump. It quiets overactive movement that creates wrinkles. For crow’s feet, it’s the first-line aesthetic treatment because movement is the cause of those lines. If sun damage and volume loss play a big role, we layer treatments. Chemical peels, microneedling with radiofrequency, or fractional lasers address texture and etched lines. A microdose of hyaluronic acid at the temple or lateral cheek can support tissue in select cases. The sequence matters, and the injector’s eye matters even more.
What a natural result really means at the eye
Natural doesn’t mean untouched. It means the doctor respects your patterns. I watch the way your eyes move when you grin, speak, and squint. Some people pull heavily at the lower outer lid. Others bunch lines closer to the temple. The target is not the wrinkle itself, but the muscle segments that generate it.
A typical pattern uses three injection points per side, sometimes two, occasionally four. The safest zone sits just outside the bony orbital rim, aimed superficially to avoid hitting a blood vessel or spreading too deep. That spread is where “frozen smile” complaints come from. Tiny doses, placed correctly, lift the mood of the area without flattening it.
I avoid chasing every last line in a single session. Over-treating the outer eye can drop the cheek slightly or change how the lower lid rests. A light touch gives you freedom to animate, and we can add a couple of units at the two-week visit medspa810.com botox near me if needed.
How many units of botox for crow’s feet
The answer depends on your muscle strength, skin quality, and gender. Men often need more units than women because of higher muscle mass.
For most, the starting range is 6 to 12 units per side, so 12 to 24 units total. Someone with fine, early lines may love 4 to 6 units per side. A deep squinter may prefer 10 to 14 per side to tame the accordion effect. Baby botox or micro botox strategies use lower unit doses split into more microdroplets to maintain ultra-soft movement.
If you’re already doing botox for forehead lines or the 11 lines at the glabella, your injector will balance doses. Over-relaxing the brow while under-treating the crow’s feet can skew expression. Conversely, a light brow paired with moderate lateral eye dosing often produces a subtle, happy lift.
The appointment, minute by minute
You check in, complete a medical history, and we take botox before and after photos to track changes. I clean the skin, mark injection points based on your smile, then apply ice or a quick numbing cream if you prefer. Most patients feel two or three pinches per side, each lasting a second. The entire botox procedure takes five to ten minutes after consult.
Expect tiny blebs that look like mosquito bites for 10 to 20 minutes. Makeup can go on after two hours, though I advise gentle application. You can drive home, work, or run errands. I ask you to avoid heavy workouts, saunas, facials, or face-down massages that day. Keep your head upright for four hours. These guardrails help the product stay where we placed it.
You will not see a change right away. Early signs appear around day three. Full effect shows by day seven to fourteen.
How long does botox last around the eyes
Average duration for crow’s feet falls around three to four months. Newer patients often see closer to three months. After several cycles, some stretch to four or five months. Metabolism, exercise intensity, and dose influence longevity. Marathoners and HIIT devotees sometimes metabolize faster. A couple of extra units can extend the runway.
I set expectations this way: you will look your best weeks two through ten. Changes taper after that. If you have an event, we time treatment two to three weeks in advance.
Is botox safe for the eye area
Botox cosmetic has a long safety record when injected by trained hands. Side effects around the lateral eye are usually mild: small bruises, temporary swelling, a headache, or asymmetry that we can correct at follow-up. Rare issues include a cold sensation when smiling, a slight change in cheek lift, or eyelid heaviness if the product spreads. True allergic reactions are uncommon.
There are red flags. Avoid botox injections if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have active infections at the site. Certain neurological disorders may require clearance. Bring your medication list to the botox consultation, especially if you take blood thinners or supplements that increase bruising.
If you ever notice double vision or significant eyelid droop, call your injector immediately. With proper placement, these complications are very rare.
Botox price, deals, and the real cost of a good result
People search “botox near me” and “how much is botox” more than any other question. You’ll see botox price per unit ranging from 10 to 25 dollars in most markets in the United States, sometimes a little lower or higher depending on region and clinic overhead. The average cost of botox for crow’s feet can land between 180 and 480 dollars per session based on 12 to 24 units. Areas with high rents or premium clinics lean higher.
Beware of “cheap botox,” deep botox groupon bundles, or suspiciously low botox specials that underdose by default. You might pay 150 dollars for 8 units when you needed 20, then decide botox doesn’t work. Or you might get a product that is over-diluted. A fair botox treatment cost pairs appropriate dosing with skilled placement and follow-up care.
Memberships and botox packages can make sense if you plan regular treatment. Some clinics offer botox deals during slow seasons, or loyalty points with manufacturers. Ask which product they use, how they dilute, and whether a touch-up is included. A small, honest price difference means little compared to the value of a natural result.
What about alternatives to botox
Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin is a common conversation. All three are neuromodulators that soften muscle activity, and all can work for crow’s feet. Differences include protein structure, diffusion characteristics, and unit conversions. Some patients feel Dysport kicks in a day earlier or spreads a bit more, which can be helpful or not, depending on anatomy. Xeomin has a “naked” formulation without complexing proteins, which some prefer if they worry about antibody formation. In practice, the injector’s comfort with the product and the specific goals matter more than the brand.
Natural botox alternatives exist, but results differ. Topical peptides, retinoids, and sunscreen improve texture and prevent worsening, yet they do not stop muscle-driven creasing. Lasers smooth etched lines. Microneedling stimulates collagen. For deeper, static creases, a careful microdroplet of filler along the line can help, but it must be precise to avoid puffiness around the thin eyelid skin. Some patients benefit from a botox brow lift, where strategic injections lift the tail of the brow, indirectly easing lateral eye crinkling. None of these fully replicate what botox does for movement lines, but the best plans often combine approaches.
How to prepare for your first botox appointment
If you bruise easily, stop fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic supplements, and NSAIDs like ibuprofen a week before treatment if your doctor approves. Arnica can help bruising, though evidence varies. Come with a clean face and notes about prior treatments. Bring old photos to show how your eyes used to look; they help design a target that feels like you.
First time botox patients worry about looking “done.” We start conservatively. Because botox results peak over two weeks, patience matters. If you notice one side pulling more strongly, flag it. Asymmetries are normal and often subtle until botox uncovers them.
The art of dosing: baby botox and micro botox
Baby botox and micro botox describe technique more than product. Smaller units placed in a broader microgrid can release tension while preserving micro-expressions. Around the eyes, I use it when someone speaks heavily with their eyes for work, like actors or teachers, or when the skin is extremely thin and etched. Think 2 to 4 units per side for maintenance, or 1-unit microdroplets mapped to the crease pattern. You trade a slight decrease in duration for a very natural effect.
Preventative botox has a place too. If you are in your late 20s or early 30s and see dynamic fine lines that linger after smiling, small doses two or three times a year can slow etching. The goal is not to freeze youth, but to age at a pace that feels kind.
Timing with other treatments
Sequence affects results. For example, if you plan a resurfacing laser around the eyes, I prefer to place botox one to three weeks before. A calmer muscle pool improves healing patterns and can enhance the laser’s smoothing effect. If filler is needed near the temple, I often do botox first, reassess the lines after two weeks, then place minimal filler if any etched creases remain. For those with hooded eyes, a light botox eyebrow lift with carefully placed units along the lateral frontalis may open the eye a few millimeters, which can soften crow’s feet indirectly.
For medical uses, such as botox for migraines, therapeutic botox for jaw clenching, or botox for hyperhidrosis, doses and maps differ. Those sessions address pain pathways or sweat glands, not crow’s feet, though sometimes a migraine protocol includes injections near the temple that overlap aesthetically. Be clear with your injector about medical and cosmetic goals so plans don’t conflict.
Side effects, downtime, and what to watch
Expect mild swelling at injection points that fades within an hour. Bruising occurs in about 5 to 15 percent of patients, mostly when a superficial vein gets nicked. A pea-sized purple dot can last a week. Makeup covers it. Rarely, swelling can collect under the eye for a few days in people prone to fluid retention. Sleep on two pillows and limit salty foods to minimize it.
Most headaches after botox are mild and pass in 24 hours. If you feel heavy or too smooth, don’t panic. The two-week mark tells the truth. Small adjustments often fix early worries. If a line at the outer eye remains, a touch-up of 2 to 4 units per side can refine it. If the smile feels tight, we wait it out and note it in your chart so next time the plan changes.
Realistic expectations through the seasons
Sun makes crow’s feet worse. Summer brings squinting, sunscreen neglect on busy days, and glare from water or sand. If you live an outdoor life or drive frequently, your left eye in the United States can develop deeper creases from driver’s-side sun. I tailor doses side to side accordingly. Sunglasses with proper UV protection do more for your long-term crow’s feet than any single syringe or vial.
Hydration, sleep, and skincare matter. A nightly retinoid, vitamin C in the morning, and diligent SPF 30 or higher every day preserve results. Botox lasts longer in skin that is healthy and protected.
Men and crow’s feet: same treatment, different settings
Male botox, often called brotox, has surged. Men want to look alert at work without looking “done.” The orbicularis oculi in men tends to be heavier. That means more units for the same level of softening, often 8 to 14 per side. Placement also shifts slightly to respect broader bone structure and thicker skin. The philosophy remains the same, but the map changes.
When botox is not enough
Static etched lines that show even with a blank face sometimes need resurfacing. Fractional lasers can reduce depth by 20 to 40 percent over a few sessions. Microneedling radiofrequency tightens crepey skin. For extreme sun damage, a series of light peels chips away at texture. I rarely recommend filler directly in the thin crow’s feet skin, but in carefully selected cases, micro threads of hyaluronic acid can support a stubborn groove. These are advanced techniques that call for a conservative approach and a frank discussion of trade-offs.
Safety signals when choosing a clinic
Credentials matter more than décor. Ask who performs the injections, how many crow’s feet treatments they do each week, and how they manage complications. Request to see botox before and after photos of patients with similar features to yours. Read botox reviews that mention natural results rather than only price.
Authentic product comes from official distributors. Beware clinics that refuse to disclose dilution or hedge on unit counts. A transparent botox injector will explain dosing, show you the vial if you ask, and offer a measured plan with follow-up.
Cost planning and maintenance
If you love your result, you’ll plan botox maintenance every three to four months. Some stretch to twice a year with slightly deeper lines between sessions. Yearly spend for crow’s feet alone often lands between 800 and 1,800 dollars, depending on region and dose. If you add forehead and frown lines, that total doubles or more.
Paying by unit is the cleanest approach. You know exactly how much was used and can adjust seasonally. Memberships can lower the botox price per unit by a small margin and often include perks like priority booking or a complimentary touch-up window. Decide based on your schedule and trust in the clinic, not the discount alone.
Can you do botox at home
No. Botulinum toxin is a prescription medication that requires medical assessment, proper reconstitution, sterile technique, anatomical knowledge, and emergency readiness. “At-home botox” kits or black-market vials invite infections, asymmetry, or far worse complications. If cost is a barrier, look for reputable training clinics with supervised resident injectors, or time your visit around legitimate botox specials near you from established practices.
What a good result feels like
The mirror test: at rest, you look like yourself on a well-rested morning. When you smile, lines still form, but they glide rather than spike. Friends say you look fresh, not different. Makeup sits better, especially shimmer shadows that used to collect in the outer lines. Photos under harsh flash tell the real story, because the camera loves to exaggerate texture.
The tactile test: you can still squeeze your eyes shut, but the outer tug feels lighter. On a bright day, sunglasses replace the habit of squinting. This shift alone slows the deepening of lines over time.
A small roadmap for those ready to start
- Book a botox consultation and bring reference photos from five to eight years ago to anchor targets. Ask about unit estimates, price per unit, dilution, and the follow-up plan at two weeks. Space other facial treatments appropriately, and plan around events with a two to three-week margin.
Final thoughts from the treatment chair
Most people want the same outcome: natural smiles without the crinkles that age them in photos. Crow’s feet respond beautifully to thoughtful botox injections, especially when combined with daily sunscreen and smart skincare. The best results come from precise mapping, conservative dosing, and willingness to adjust. Less can be more, especially around the delicate eye.
If you are curious, schedule a brief botox appointment rather than waiting for lines to etch deeper. Try a conservative plan, live with it for a cycle, then refine. Whether you land on baby botox for maintenance or a standard dosing pattern each season, you should feel in control of the process. Good work looks like you on your best day, not a filtered version. And when you laugh, your eyes should still tell the story.