Crows feet when smiling: Are there any alternatives other than Botox? (Photos)

Hi, thank you for your post. It is hard to tell without an in person exam but from your photos it appears that you would benefit from Botox which is really the best option for this area. You could use some filler and lasers if you are totally against Botox, however, you will see the best results with Botox. I would recommend setting up a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to review all of your options. 

 Thank you for sharing your question and posting photographs. Botox is the best option for you; however, fillers and laser skin resurfacing can be used as well to soften the wrinkles but would not be as effective as Botox injections. You could start off with a small amount of Botox injected and have subsequent injections if needed. I hope this helps. Good luck, 

BOTOX is your best option. I agree that BOTOX does not cause anxiety, but it is probably more centered around how your body responded to the procedure. A filler such as VOLBELLA could be used to soften the lines as well. Chemical peeling and laser resurfacing options require an evaluation by a facial expert to determine if these techniques might be appropriate for you.

There are a few alternatives to the treatment of crows feet besides Botox. One would be a brow lift. Lifting the outer part of the brow can improve the appearance of crows feet. Another option would be a laser treatment, but the laser treatment would have to be quite aggressive to improve crows feet, something like a CO2 laser, Erbium laser, fractionated CO2, or a Halo laser. The improvement won't be as significant as a browlift. Personally, I feel that if you have significant muscle motion in that area, Botox is your best option.Andrew Campbell, M.D.
Facial Rejuvenation Specialist
Quintessa Aesthetic Centers

Other than Botox, fillers, lasers and microneedling/prp can be used to improve wrinkles. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Remember that Botox and the rest of the neuromodulators are designed to treat dynamic wrinkles - those created when activating and moving the facial muscles.  The best treatment for Crow's feet is Botox and treatment can be limited in dosing so as to only soften the results and not achieve complete paralysis of the area.  This is a good area for the recently popular "baby botox"  You do need to take other steps to prevent worsening of the wrinkles with good skin care practices including retinol, sunscreen, and chemical peels.  Hope this helps.

Thanks for the pics and your question.  When you smile the skin appears a bit loose so you could have a thinner filler placed there that would fill it out and stretch the loose skin.  Botox is best though.  I have done both in the area on the same patient.  You can adjust the dose and placement of the Botox if you are anxious about it at the eye corner.  Thanks again for your question
Dr ODell

the best treatment for this area is Biotox or one of the other botulinum toxins. it is effective, inexpensive, virttually painless  and no other treatment even comes close to its effectiveness and ease.. Botox does not cause anxiety but your anxiety was related to the procedure and if necessary ask your doctor for something to help with that

Luckily your lines are not deep so I believe a neuromodulator such as Botox/Dysport/Xeomin would be your best treatment. It appears that you would need approximately 6 units per side to soften the lines. At this point I would not recommend laser resurfacing because yours are mild and patients still require Botox after laser treatments for the best results. Find an injector that place cold packs on the area or a numbing cream prior to the injections.

Thanks for your question. I do believe a neurmodulator like Botox or Dysport is the best treatment option for the dynamic lines around your eyes. Typical dosing is 6-12 units of Botox per side or an equivalent dose of Dysport.