Can Botox for 11's Cause Wrinkles in Other Parts of the Face?

Muscle recruitment can account for some new lines in other areas that have not been previously treated with a neuromodulator like Botox.  One must also keep in mind that facial aging also continues. With both bony and fat atrophy that occurs with time, your muscles are contracting onto a volume that may not be as robust as it used to be, accounting for new lines forming with age.

Crows feet are caused by the contraction of the muscles around the eyes as well as some of the upper outer smile muscle that when it elevates the corner of the mouth. Once the crows feet muscles are relaxed, one might see more or the smile muscle activity to compensate if one is trying to squint but unable to because of the relaxed muscles that were treated. One shouldn't be aggressive to treat the smile muscle area as this can relax the outer mouth too much and affect the shape of the lips and cause problems with speech and eating and drinking temporarily.

Hi Jenna.  When Botox is used correctly between the eyes, it would not cause wrinkles under the eyes.  While it's possible for Botox to "migrate", it's very difficult even with bad injection technique for Botox injected between the eyes to migrate below it.  

What's more likely is that you are seeing wrinkles below the eyes either because the aging process is naturally revealing them or because the focus of your concerns has moved on from the frown lines to a new area.  

I would agree with Dr. Pearson's post - muscle recruitment and/or compensation from other areas is very common when one area is regularly treated with Botox.

Thank you for your question, Jenna. In general, when used correctly, Botox does not displace wrinkles from one area of the face to another. However, in an attempt to compensate for the muscles affected by Botox, nearby muscles may be 'recruited' to aid in facial movement. That process may unmask the appearance of dynamic wrinkles in adjacent facial areas. Additionally, following treatment with Botox and improvement of the noticeable dynamic wrinkles, wrinkles that were previously unnoticed may seem more apparent. If pre treatment photos were taken, it may help to review those to check as to whether those 'new' lines were in fact present before treatment. Raise your concerns with your Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist who may be able to offer more specific advise in your particular case. Good luck to you.

Hi Jenna,

An experienced Botox injector evaluates the muscle function of each patient and adjusts their treatment accordingly.  In your case, it sounds as if you should have some Botox or Dysport placed around your eyes appropriately.  Choose your injector most carefully.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Thank you for your question Jenna949. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression such as those between the brows seen when one frowns. These wrinkles are slowly seen over time as we age and are more prominent in those who have expressive faces. Sometimes wrinkles n one area are seen first, then others are seen some time later. This is normal. When Botox is used in the glabella between the brows, thus muscle becomes relaxed. The muscle is responsible for pulling the brows downward and inward. As a result, the frontalis muscle on the forehead (which is responsible for raising the brows) works unopposed. When this happens horizontal lines on the forehead may be seen or may get deeper. For this reason I recommend that my patients treat both areas for a harmonious balance. Sometimes when Botox relaxes a muscle, another muscle or another part of the same muscle is recruited in order to compensate. So when the facial expression is attempted, new wrinkles are visible that were not before. For example, sometimes when the muscles in the glabella are relaxed with Botox, bunny lines can be seen. This is the nearby nasalis muscle that is recruited and attempting to compensate for the relaxed glabella. In these cases a small amount of Botox can be placed on the upper nose to address those wrinkles. Please consult with a doctor for specific
recommendations. Good luck!

Botox is very specific to the area being treated. The global is very isolated and therefore usually does not cause changes in other areas of the face.

Botox around the eyes for crows feet can sometimes accentuate wrinkles under the eyes caused by movement of the cheeks when smiling if not done carefully, but Botox in one area will not cause wrinkling in a totally separate, unconnected area.

Botox will not induce wrinkling elsewhere specifically, but what you may be noticing is recruitment in other areas causing wrinkling of the skin as you try to compensate.