Botox for Crow's Feet: Avoiding a Frozen Look

Having nearly twenty years of experience with Botox for cosmetic purposes, I have seen many changes in its use throughout the years. In the beginning, freezing the muscles of facial expression, such as those that cause crow's feet on the sides of the eyes, or the of the scowl (frown) lines between the brows, or of the "worry" lines across the forehead was the desired result.

Nowadays, this kind of "frozen" look, i.e. freezing the expression line muscles with either Dysport or Botox, is not desirable and often the result of the work of an inexperienced injector. With careful physician technique,  precise placement of material, and control of the concentration and amounts injected, a smooth appearance at rest (i.e. when not making any facial expressions), as well as the ability to make natural facial expressions when desired are achievable.

Botox can be titrated to desired effect. You are correct that less units will give a lesser result.

The orbicularis oris muscle, which creates crow's feet, is a very large muscle which can not be completely paralyzed with botox anyway. Chances are you will still retain a line or two if that is your goal.

Best of luck

Absolutely, you do not need to obtain a frozen appearance from having had Botox. If fewer areas are injected within the responsible field of muscle activity, a softer appearance will occur. Also realize, that many times it is not possible to freeze the area even if it were requested, because some of the crow's feet lines are related to the big smile muscles and if these were injected there would be a problem with smiling.