Crow's feet — the radiating lines at the outer corners of the eyes — are caused by repeated contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle with smiling, squinting, and blinking. The periorbital skin is among the thinnest on the face, making it particularly susceptible to dynamic line formation.
How Crow's Feet Form
The orbicularis oculi surrounds the eye and contracts concentrically with every smile and squint. Decades of this activity, combined with progressive thinning of periorbital skin and the underlying fat, produce the characteristic fan of lines extending from the lateral canthus.
Smile Lines Only
Lines appear only with active expression. Preventative treatment at this stage produces the most complete correction.
Resting Lines
Fine lines begin persisting at rest. Highly responsive to treatment — improvement visible even in static photographs.
Deep Static Lines
Established static lines. Treatment prevents further deepening; dermal support options may be discussed for deeper creases.
Typical Dose
8–15 units per side; conservative dosing preserves natural lower eyelid function
Duration
3–4 months; the thin periorbital skin responds well to consistent treatment over time
Lateral Lift
Correct placement can produce a subtle lateral brow lift — an additional aesthetic benefit
Treatment Approach
Small doses of botulinum toxin are injected laterally along the orbital rim, targeting the superficial fibres of the orbicularis oculi responsible for the fanning lines. Injections are placed conservatively and laterally to ensure natural lower eyelid function and tear drainage are unaffected.
"Crow's feet treatment should leave your smile intact — softened lines, not a static eye. The lateral placement is everything."
The orbicularis oculi is a muscle of significant functional importance — it is responsible for eyelid closure, tear drainage, and blink reflex. Injections must remain strictly lateral to the orbital rim to avoid affecting these critical functions.
Some patients present with lines extending below the lateral canthus onto the cheek. These can be addressed with an additional inferior injection point, placed at least 1 cm below the orbital rim.
This placement requires particular care to avoid the zygomaticus major and the facial nerve branches supplying it.
Injection Depth — Critical Technique
Crow's feet injections are placed superficially — intradermal or just subcutaneous. The orbicularis is a thin, superficial muscle in this region. Deep injection risks diffusion toward the zygomaticus, which can temporarily impair smiling. Raise a small bleb with each injection to confirm correct depth.
Aftercare Instructions
Remain upright for four hours following treatment.
Smile and squint normally to assist absorption into the treated muscle.
Apply gentle cool compress if any swelling occurs at the injection site.
Rub or apply pressure around the eye area for 24 hours.
Use eye makeup remover aggressively near the injection sites for 24 hours.
Exercise strenuously or expose the area to heat for 12 hours post-treatment.