Have you heard of crow’s feet? They are the small wrinkles that form around the corners of your eyes and are often associated with aging and smiling. Aging factors such as genetics and hormones we cannot control, but lifestyle factors such as excessive sun exposure, smoking, and dehydration can be controlled. The skin around our eyes is very thin and easily forms wrinkles due to constant muscle use. When these lines are formed, they add aged appearance to the face.
Wondering how Botox fits into all of this? Botox can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by relaxing the muscles around the eyes, which can help create a more youthful look. By targeting the muscle responsible for crow’s feet (orbicularis oculi), Botox can soften the appearance of these wrinkles and give your face a smoother more refreshed look.
I often find that patients are concerned about Botox injections if they will be painful, the discomfort is usually quite minimal. Botox is administered using a small insulin syringe, and while there may be some slight discomfort, many people find that getting Botox around the eyes is less painful than the forehead area.
The most common side effect of Botox around the eyes is bruising, but it is very minimal. Botox can be injected under the eyes. Even though it is an area of high concern, the procedure can be safe when performed by a qualified practitioner.
Reducing Crow’s feet can be a natural way to age gracefully and add a youthful appearance to the face. As I have mentioned in an earlier column, listening to patients is important to achieve a successful outcome. Some of my patients prefer to maintain a natural appearance and retain some lines while smiling, while others may wish to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet as much as possible.
The level of reduction is ultimately controlled by the practitioner with the number of units injected. It is important to address your concerns during consultation and the appearance you are hoping to achieve, while also maintaining realistic expectations.
The photos shown in this column are a few examples of my patients’ cases where each one asked for a different level of crows feet reduction and the desired outcome was met for each one.
Dr. Ala Barakat is the founder of Smiles Forever of Gardendale and writes a health column for The North Jefferson Herald.
