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Botox Not for Crow's Feet

50 posts
Comments (97)
Updated 17 Aug 2009
Posted 25 Feb 2009
Not Worth It
Spent: $325 in North Carolina

I had botox injected into my crow's feet. They are gone, however, the skin under my eyes is baggy, saggy, and puffy. I am embarrassed to smile because I look like a freak. I am learning that the human face is a beautiful and delicate system of interrelated muscles. If you knock out one part, the rest overcompensates to bring back the balance.

I would never ever ever do this again, or any other invasive procedures. I am so unhappy with what I've done because I do not look like me. I hope this wears off sooner than later because I long to see myself again when I look in the mirror. I have learned the hard way to love my wrinkles, as they are a testament to the happiness and joy I have in my life.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor: Name not provided

A dermatologist is not an expert on your face. Your heart and soul is the expert. Look inside yourself, not at the media.
Vote: 10 members found this review helpful

Comments (97)

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Texas Institute of Dermatology www.txdi.org (unregistered guest) 26 Feb 2009
Botox into crowfeet area has little impact on puffiness under the eyes. You may benefit from a laser resurfacing or blepharoplasty. These techniques should be done by a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon.
Penelope (50 posts) 27 Feb 2009
In response to the dr. from the Texas Institute: Your information is incorrect. Before the botox I did not have puffy saggy skin under my eyes. Let me repeat: before botox I did NOT have puffy saggy skin under my eyes. Now I do and it looks terrible.
fi (4 posts) 13 Mar 2009
Botox can indeed make you puffy under the eyes if you have a poor snap reflex and if the injector , injected to far towards your nose.Before and after pictures should be taken and your snap test documented.It will wear off.Its a shame you had that bad experience.
Penelope (50 posts) 17 Mar 2009
Hello fi. Thank you for your insight and compassion. It does indeed sound like our injections were administered incorrectly. I just hope and pray the crow's feet area of my face returns to normal and that this Botox will completely wear off sooner than later. I welcome the return of my wrinkles!!!
Michael A. Bogdan, MD (358 posts) 3 Apr 2009
Dear Penelope, If someone injected Botox on the lower lid skin (under the eyeball), the weakening of the obicularis muscle can give you the appearance of aging (the fat under the eye is partially held back by the muscle, and it will push forward creating "puffiness" of the lower eyelid skin when the resting tone of the muscle is weakened). The Botox effect will wear off in 4 months, and you should go back to how you looked before. As you continue to age, you will later notice this fat bulge, and may want it corrected by a lower blepharoplasty (fat removal alone can be done via the transconjunctival route). Because of the possibility of unmasking the presence of a weak orbital septum and lower lid fat bulge, I rarely inject Botox medial to the lateral canthus. (Basically, I reserve this only for cases of obicularis hyperactivity.) Generally, you should only use Botox lateral to the canthus to treat true crow's feet.
sheri m (unregistered guest) 28 Feb 2009
I had botox for my crows feet and was amazed. They are gone. I still smile normally,but the lines that went from the corners of my eyes almost to my jawbone are gone.I am 42 and the lines weren't permanant yet;not visible unless I smiled.Now they just dont appear at all!
Penelope (50 posts) 2 Mar 2009
To Sheri M: I am so glad it worked for you - that must be a wonderful feeling! That is really great. You are lucky that you still smile normally. I so wish I could say the same. When did you get Botox?
sheri m (9 posts) 2 Mar 2009
I got it 6 mos ago and am ready to go again. It lasted a little over 3 mos. Did your Dr inject under your eyes? Mine specifically said under eye injections can cause puffiness. He did like a half-moon of 3 injections starting at about my temple curving along my cheekbone. I had 9 units each eye. Hope this helps!
Penelope (50 posts) 3 Mar 2009
To Sheri M: Thank you so much for sharing your information. I am glad to say yours lasted around 3 months - that means one down and only 2 to go for me! Initially my derm. did 2 injections for each crow's feet. After a week I noticed the skin under my eyes sagging and drooping so I made a follow up appt. At this time he injected a teenie tiny bit under each eye, hoping this would get rid of the new saggy wrinkles. It did not help. Maybe those injections made it worse? I am not sure. Again, I am so glad it worked for you. Is your dr. a derm. or a plastic surgeon? I bet this makes a huge difference in the results one can expect.
sheri m (9 posts) 3 Mar 2009
Hi Penelope, My doc is a derm.I have considered going to a place that has a p.a. do injections (less $) but after reading here I thought if it ain't broke don't fix it... Hopefully when yours goes away your eyes will return to normal! Most people I know only get 2 mos out of their botox the 1st time so maybe it'll be sooner for you. My doc did say that a tiny amount in undereye bags can help but too much will cause puffiness.My crows feet shots were nowhere near my undereyes, they were more down on my cheekbone and at my eye corner. Good luck and hang in there!
Beth F (29 posts) 3 Mar 2009
I too have the same problem as penelope, 5 weeks later and there is no change what so ever, I am so unhappy about it and feel like I am never going to be back to normal, it has ruined my smile, which used to be my best feature, now I look like a demented chipmunk while I smile, I am really glad it worked for you, but I would never get it done again as I just would not risk this happening to me again, I had to injections at the crows feet and one just under my eyelashes, it looked ok for about 5 days then it looked terrible, I only pray that i go back to how I used to look but as each week passes and there is no difference at all the more worried I get
sheri m (9 posts) 4 Mar 2009
From what I hear from other friends who got botox as well as my dr, it's probably the under eyelash one that did it. Everybody I knew told me DO NOT get botox in the under eye area. I feel so bad for you two, take heart it really does wear off eventually!! Do either of you know how many units you got under your eyes? Just curious.
Penelope (50 posts) 4 Mar 2009
Thank you so much, Sheri M. And I think you are absolutely right - if it ain't broke....!! Sounds like whoever did your first round of injections did a first rate job. I cannot tell you how elated I was when I read that most people only get 2 months out of their 1st treatment. This is such good news (for me, anyway)!!! Again, I am so glad your experience was a good one. And thank you a ton for your support.
Penelope (50 posts) 4 Mar 2009
Beth F., I completely feel your pain. I am in the same boat as you. I worry too that my face will never go back to normal. My smile was my best feature too. Let's hope and pray Sheri M. is right and that this stuff will wear off in 2 months. It is tough, and I know what you are going through. Hang in there.
Penelope (50 posts) 4 Mar 2009
Sheri M, I think I got maybe 2 ccs at the most under each eye? The derm said he was injecting only a tiny drop.
Beth F (29 posts) 4 Mar 2009
Sheri M I don't know how many units it was, it was a nurse that did mine, I had went to her twice before for botox for the wrinkles in between my eyebrows and was really pleased with the results, I had been nervous about getting my crows feet done, but thought it couldn't go that wrong, to be honest i didn't think she would have put any under my eyes and was really surprised when I felt the needle go in there but thought that must be the normal procedure, how wrong I was! I don't have crows feet at all now, but the effect under my eyes has been horrible. I like Penelope really hope that you are right and that it wears off in two months, that means I only have another 3 weeks left before I look normal again, as this is affecting my life so much, I don't like going out now and try not to smile as much as possible. Thanks for your kind words both of you, and Penelope lets hope we get our smiles back soon, will keep you posted x
Penelope (50 posts) 6 Mar 2009
It sounds like you are really struggling with this, Beth F. I am too. Our smile is who we are and right now we can't find that person. Do you feel any sensations yet in your crows feet area when you make facial expressions? My crows feet area feels thick and heavy but not as heavy as it used to, which is GREAT NEWS. We are getting there, Beth F.! And let me tell you, I love love love my crows feet. This experience has given me the opportunity to confront my fears and loathings about the aging process. I now love the aging process. So bring it on!
Beth F (29 posts) 6 Mar 2009
Hi Penelope, no I don't feel anything still in that area, I even hate not having crows feet! As it doesn't look right that when you smile there is no movement around the eyes, we are all so obsessed in this world now with trying to delay the aging process but our facial expresions make us who we are the crinkling round our eyes is a normal expression when we smile or laugh, when that is gone it makes us look weird....frozen. I keep running to look in the mirror each morning when I wake up to see if I am back to normal only to be disappointed when I see there is no change, I just want my old face back!! I too love my crows feet and can't wait until they return but each week seems like a lifetime. I hope we get there soon and it has really helped talking to you.
Penelope (50 posts) 6 Mar 2009
Thank you so much, Beth F. It has been so helpful talking with you too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas about aging. I am right there with you!!! My friend sent me a clipping from an article by Eric Felten. He quotes the 19th c. critic, John Ruskin: "To banish imperfection is to destroy expression, to check exertion, to paralyze vitality." I have a new outlook, Beth F. Okay. Now I'm ready to have my face back. Please!
Amaxy (79 posts) 12 Mar 2009
Beth, What is the time frame now for you? I had a little bit under my eye as well on March 2nd (near the lash line) and I see new wrinkles that weren't there before:( What are you doing for it other than sadly watching and hoping it goes away soon:)? Best, Amy
fi (4 posts) 13 Mar 2009
In the Uk its the person who does the most Botox in a week who are the most experienced. usually plastic surgeons do not do much Botox,as many Gp,s , Nurses and Dentists have cornered the market over here. Although Botox is administered directly into targeted muscles there is also a need for an 'Aesthetic ' eye for the injector to have , some simply don't possess it however qualified.
Beth F (29 posts) 14 Mar 2009
Amy, it has been 6 weeks since I had mine done, there had been no improvement at all, however over the last couple of days I have noticed that one side isn't as bad as the other now, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it means things will start to go back to normal soon, but I am still really worried that things won't go back to the way they were, I am positive that it was the injection under the lash line which caused the problem. I haven't realy being doing anything except massaging the area under my eyes and using eye masks, but really I don't think anything speeds up to process or gets rid of the botox any earlier i am afraid it is just a waiting game, I will let you know when I see any significant changes, best wishes
Penelope (50 posts) 15 Mar 2009
Hello Beth F. Sounds like things are indeed going back to normal. That is wonderful!!!!!!! I have noticed in the past 3-4 days that the skin under my eyes is nowhere near as baggy/saggy. Also, the crow's feet area feels less thick and sluggish.
Amaxy (79 posts) 16 Mar 2009
Hey Beth, Are you seeing any improvements? I also think that under the lashes was a bad idea since that seems to be causing the most sagging under the eyes/ near the cheek when I smile. Do you also have bags under your eyes protruding that weren't there before? God, I hope this goes back to normal sooner rather than later! Best, Amy
Amaxy (79 posts) 16 Mar 2009
Hey Sheri, Did your results slowly go back to normal over the 3 month period or did things look the same and then after the 3 months change more drastically? I want to know what I'll be seeing around the 2 1/2 month mark (for my wedding on 4/18 - I had the injections on 2/6.) I'm really hoping that I have a few crows feet back by then when I smile. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Also, did you have any bags or puffiness under the eyes after the Botox? I had 4 or 5 units in the crows feet area and a couple of units near the lashes of one eye. I'm not happy with the puffy/ saggy results...I'm actually devastated at what I see in the mirror these days. Can't wait to hear about what you saw during the 3 month healing process. Thanks in advance for your input! Best, Amy

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