Crows feet are the fine wrinkle lines that radiate out from the corners of the eyes. They are often the first wrinkles to appear on the face and are caused by repeated contractions of the facial muscles used to smile, squint and laugh. At first, they may only be present when you smile or make a facial expression, but with time they become visible even when your face is at rest. 

Botox is one of the most effective ways of reducing the appearance of crows feet. Botox smooths away and reduces or eliminates wrinkles; sometimes even deep wrinkles are reduced and eliminated by this product. Botox gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in the treatment of crows feet in 2013. It relaxes the underlying muscle that controls the eyelid, which in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles around the eye.

Botox for crows feet is a non-surgical procedure that typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. It’s typically performed in-office using very fine needles that are injected into the orbicularis-oculi, a ring-shaped muscle that surrounds your eye and closes your eyelid. The orbicularis-oculi accentuates your crows feet when contracted.

You may be a good candidate for Botox if you:

• Are over the age of 18
• Are generally healthy with no chronic neuromuscular condition or other serious health conditions
• Wish to soften the appearance of facial wrinkles around the corners of your eyes

Botox may not the best option for people who have deep crows feet. If this is the case, Dr. Nickodem may recommend using Botox in conjunction with dermal fillers which add facial volume to create smoother skin.

Botox is generally considered a safe treatment and many people are able to successfully treat their crows feet without experiencing serious adverse effects.

Although uncommon, there are potential risks to be aware of. The most common side effects among patients who receive Botox for crows feet include:

• Bruising
• Dry eyes
• Blurry vision
• Eyelid retraction
• Excessive tearing

To learn more about treating crows feet in Location, contact Anne Nickodem, MD at 703-560-8711 or website today.