I am not concerned with my crows feet as much as the lines that are under my eyes. They are deep even when I am not smiling, which is when they are the worst! Would Botox work for lines underneath my eyes?
January 31, 2010
Answer: Botox not the usual best choice for under eye lines As you know, Botox works by relaxing hyperactive muscles that cause wrinkles by repeatedly folding the skin. Crow's feet are an excellent example of this, but under eye lines are usually not. There are some people who have a hyperactive muscle just below the eyelashes, but this usually appears as a bulge rather than deep lines. I suspect that the lines you are seeing are caused by skin laxity and so would not be helped by Botox. An eyelid tuck (blepharoplasty) or a chemical or laser peel are the usual first lines of approach there.
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January 31, 2010
Answer: Botox not the usual best choice for under eye lines As you know, Botox works by relaxing hyperactive muscles that cause wrinkles by repeatedly folding the skin. Crow's feet are an excellent example of this, but under eye lines are usually not. There are some people who have a hyperactive muscle just below the eyelashes, but this usually appears as a bulge rather than deep lines. I suspect that the lines you are seeing are caused by skin laxity and so would not be helped by Botox. An eyelid tuck (blepharoplasty) or a chemical or laser peel are the usual first lines of approach there.
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January 29, 2010
Answer: Botox for the lower eyelids If the lines are present at rest, as in your situation, then Botox may not help that much, compared with resurfacing for photodamage-induced lines. This can be done by fractional Fraxel laser or chemical peels. Fillers may look lumpy in this area or may be visible because of the thin skin. Some patients who do have lines underneath the lower eyelids when smiling can obtain a nice result with very small units of Botox as long as there is no tendency for puffiness (the lack of muscle movement after Botox could minimize the draining of fluids and if one is prone to puffiness of the lower lids, then it could be compounded). Also, some patients have poor skin tone of the lower eyelid and the lid can be made to drop if Botox is injected there. That can create a dry feeling of the eye.
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January 29, 2010
Answer: Botox for the lower eyelids If the lines are present at rest, as in your situation, then Botox may not help that much, compared with resurfacing for photodamage-induced lines. This can be done by fractional Fraxel laser or chemical peels. Fillers may look lumpy in this area or may be visible because of the thin skin. Some patients who do have lines underneath the lower eyelids when smiling can obtain a nice result with very small units of Botox as long as there is no tendency for puffiness (the lack of muscle movement after Botox could minimize the draining of fluids and if one is prone to puffiness of the lower lids, then it could be compounded). Also, some patients have poor skin tone of the lower eyelid and the lid can be made to drop if Botox is injected there. That can create a dry feeling of the eye.
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January 28, 2010
Answer: Botox for lines under eyes The other answers are all correct just a couple points: 1. I do think its worth a try with Botox to get rid of the most laterally located lower wrinkles...I definitely have patients for whom this has worked well. The more midline wrinkles aren't appropriate for Botox 2. I would do the Botox first before doing the filler. You may find you need less filler once the resting muscle tone is diminished by the Botox. My two cents.
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January 28, 2010
Answer: Botox for lines under eyes The other answers are all correct just a couple points: 1. I do think its worth a try with Botox to get rid of the most laterally located lower wrinkles...I definitely have patients for whom this has worked well. The more midline wrinkles aren't appropriate for Botox 2. I would do the Botox first before doing the filler. You may find you need less filler once the resting muscle tone is diminished by the Botox. My two cents.
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