You Don’t Have to Live With Crow’s Feet: Botox Can Help

The cliché says that wrinkles are just antique smiles, but the fact is, if you don’t like them, you don’t have to live with them. There are safe and effective treatments to soften the appearance of those lines around your eyes.

Long history of successful Botox® use

Botox is a form of botulinum toxin, and is used in numerous medical applications. The most common use, though, is in injections for cosmetic use. Botox Cosmetic was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2002. Millions of injections have been performed in that time.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 7 million injections of formulations of botulinum toxins were performed in 2017, making it the most common cosmetic procedure.

Overall, Botox is considered very safe. There are some potential side effects, but they’re generally temporary and not severe.

Botox works by blocking the nerve impulses that tense the muscles that create the expressions that cause crow’s feet. In other words, it paralyzes the tiny muscles around your eyes that cause the wrinkles. You can still smile and your face will still be animated; you just won’t have wrinkles!

What to expect during treatment

Botox is injected directly into the area you want treated, so if you want to get rid of crow’s feet, it will be injected near your eyes. The needles we use at Verum Cutis Dermatology are very fine, and if you’re concerned about discomfort, we’ll use a topical anesthetic — a numbing agent — to help you stay relaxed.

One of the reasons that Botox works well for crow’s feet is that the dose can be tailored to create exactly the look you want. You don’t want your eyes to look frozen, so often a lower dose of Botox can remove the appearance of wrinkles, but still leave your smile intact.

Timeline of recovery and treatment results

You’ll probably be able to tell a difference right away, but it usually takes a few days for you to see the full result of your treatment.

There’s virtually no recovery necessary following Botox injections. You can go home, or return to your normal, daily activities within 4 hours. It’s fine to wear makeup and wash your face that day.

The only thing you need to be careful to avoid is rubbing around your eyes. If you do, you may cause the Botox to migrate — and if it’s not in precisely the right place, it won’t help with your crow’s feet.

Studies have shown that most people who get Botox injections enjoy the results for 3-4 months. After that, you’ll need maintenance injections to keep your smoother look. The good news is that, over time, it usually takes less Botox to do the same job.

If you’d like to learn more about Botox injections for crow’s feet, book an appointment at Verum Cutis Dermatology. Dr. Brelsford is happy to discuss the benefits and potential side effects with you. Scheduling is easy — simply give us a call.