Do I need to have Botox around both of my eyes to treat crows feet?

Botox can be used to improve wrinkles around the eye. Deeper wrinkles need a combination approach with Botox and lasers, microneedling/prp and fillers. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Yes, you can do just your crows feet, otherwise known as the obicularis oculi muscle. This is responsible for closing the eye. If you can't close the eye tight then it will naturally relax. Perhaps the injector saw something different and needed to treat the opposing muscle group. It is hard to tell without seeing you in person and how you are animating. There are other areas on the face like the forehead that looks best when it is injected with the glabella complex as well. This is because opposing muscle groups need to be treated to give a balanced natural esthetic. Good luck!

Hello, and thank you for your question. Botox is injected into specific target areas where there are lines and wrinkles that a patient desires to smooth out. But while treating a specific target area, an injector will also consider balance and symmetry and may recommend additional injections in other areas. That said, a good injector will have the skill and experience to precisely know how much product to use and where to place them. This is why you should only seek treatments from a reputable experienced injector. Such experts will have the optimal skills, as well as artistry and knowledge of facial aesthetics, harmony, and proportion, helping you achieve the most natural-looking results.

Botox injections around both of your eyes will help with reducing the "crows feet" wrinkles. Targeting that muscle may have a potential effect on your eyebrows, as that muscle can help with pulling it down. This is likely why you were told this during your visit.

When it comes to Botox, you can and should treat what's needed for treatment. Now, areas that aren't yet affected could have wrinkles prevented with pre-emptive treatment. But that doesn't mean you have to treat areas you're not concerned about and don't have something you would iike to address. Thank you, Dr. Kris Day

Great question! The muscles of your face do work in synergy, so I usually recommend treating the crows feet, forehead, and frown lines together. In some cases relaxing one muscle group of the upper face (crows feet) and not others (frown lines or forehead) can lead to kind of funky muscle movement patterns and additional wrinkles where there used to be none. I have this conversation with my patients who only want one area treated and let them know that while we can treat one specific area, they may end up wanting to come back to treat the other areas that I recommend.

The injector who was before you examining your facial muscles at rest and during animation was in the best position to advise on your treatment based on the muscle activity seen. It may have indeed been correct information that relaxing in only one area would give an unnatural appearance that may be seen as undesirable by you. Many patients may be unlikely to return if they get a result that subjects them to public ridicule. On the other hand if you together form a treatment plan and agree to go in stepwise fashion and return for more or alteration as needed there is nothing wrong with that.

Hello Young hearted,
I do highly recommend you consult with a experienced injector. You certainly should be able to treat just your area of concern. No two individuals are the same, your needs may be different from someone else. There is no harm in treating only the area you are requesting. There are situations were strategic placement involving two areas may occur to achieve a certain result/ look. For example, if you only wanted to treat the forehead lines there is a greater chance you may feel forehead brow heaviness. In that situation I would highly recommend adding botox in-between the brow area as placing botox in that area will help lift the brows. So in some cases it is a balancing act to achieve optimal results. You could request to treat the eye area and follow up in two weeks time to address any placement concerns, if at that time you would like you would be able to add additional botox if you desire. I hope this information helps navigate you forward.

Our muscle groups work antagonistically-- one pushes and one pulls. If the muscles around the eye depressing the brow are weakened with botox, the muscles that usually raise the brows will become much stronger. This can cause an unnatural appearance where the brows are raised (like "Spock"). While it doesn't sound like your entire forehead needs to be treated, I would also recommend placing a small amount of botox in the forehead. Further evaluation of your own facial features and specific complaints is recommended with an oculofacial specialist. Customizing your treatment with a specialist is key.
Be well,
Christopher Lo, MD

Yes, you should be able to treat the Crow's Feet area only if that what that bothers you. Typically patients begin to see the effects of Botox 4-7 days after treatment with final results seen after 14 days. The results will fade gradually over approximately 3 to 4 months.