Crow’s Feet Overview

American Academy of Facial Esthetics Trained Physicians, Dentists and Nurses

For some, creams aren’t enough. But there’s another, nonsurgical option: Botox®. Crow’s feet are most pronounced when you work the muscles around your eyes, so their appearance is unavoidable when you smile, laugh or squint. Botox® — short for botulinum toxin injections — literally relaxes those muscles so they can’t contract. It works by blocking the chemical signal that travels from your nerves to your muscles, telling them to function. Though Botox® treatments are FDA approved and generally safe, they can result in complications if the toxin spreads beyond the treatment area, so you should only receive injections from an AAFE certified healthcare professional.

There are a few side effects that come with the procedure, including temporary bruising and headaches. While the bruising is rather common, the headaches are rare and should go away over the course of a couple of days. It’s also important not to rub the treated area after an injection. Doing so may encourage the toxin to seep into your eyelid muscles, causing them to droop. Unfortunately, there is a possibility of this happening even if you don’t rub the treated area, but the droopiness fades over time [source: MayoClinic: Botox®, AAD:Botulinum].

Disclaimer: Botox®, Dysport®, dermal fillers, facial injections, and other skin care information contained on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not be taken as medical advice. To consult with one of our AAFE trained members, please contact one of our trained members today.

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